How did you first find out about bariatric surgery and what were your initial impressions of it?

I was very impressed with the procedure and how it worked. I was gun hoe about getting this done to improve the quality of my life.

Describe your experience with getting insurance approval for surgery. What advice, if any, do you have for other people in this stage?

I read horror stories about how long it took most folks to get their procedure passed through. I had a determination in less then 2 weeks. I was very thrilled and would recommend using Dr. Regan in Milwaukee. His staff is very professional and courteous to patients.

What was your first visit with your surgeon like? How can people get the most out of this meeting?

He was very upbeat and talked through my concerns. Bring a list of questions because your nervous to begin with and you want to make sure you anser them all. If you have a good surgeon that list won't be needed because they walk you through it all.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Quality of life and wanting to be thin. Enjoy my life like I missed out on so much of.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The surgeon chose.

What fears did you have about having complications or even dying from from the surgery, and what would you tell other people having the same fears now?

I didn't have any fears it was dying because of being fat or dying to be thin. I took my chances.

How did your family and friends react to your decision? Would you have communicated anything differently if you could now? How supportive were they after your surgery?

Very concerned for me and how it woudl effect me but they stood behind me in my decision.

How did your employer/supervisor react to your decision? What did you tell him/her? How long were you out of work?

They didn't I quit working to do this.

What was your stay in the hospital like? How long where you there? What things are most important to bring?

Very good. Everyone treated me very nice. Comforts of home...such as your pillow, slippers. Bring a good book about Bariatric expectations.

Did you have any complications from the surgery? If so, how did you deal with them?

No

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

Honestly very sick. I was very frustrated at the limited food choices I personally had and found out right after the surgery I was lactose intolerant and couldn't eat a darn thing they had on their list.

Describe your first few weeks home from the hospital. What should people expect from this period?

I was very sore. Six weeks prior to this surgery I had my gallbladder removed and I was super sore. You need help at home and believe me take all the help you can get.

How far did you travel to have your surgery? (If far, how did this affect your aftercare?)

50 mins one way.

Please describe in detail what things you could and couldn't eat in the weeks and months following surgery. What foods have been off limits? Please explain how your dietary tolerance changed week-by-week, and then month-by-month since surgery.

You had to eat mushy or soft foods like farina, yogurt, mashed potatoes. Gradually you learn to chew your foods much better. I really couldn't eat any meats till 3 months, breads at 6 months, and so forth. It's a HUGE lifestyle change and I think harder then you can imagine.

What was your actvity level in the days and weeks after surgery?

It gradually just zoomed higher and higher. 3 years later I run faster then my kids.

What vitamins and/or dietary supplements have you taken since your surgery?

Chewable vitamins, calcium, iron. Protein shakes. I never did find a good one of those.

What side effects (nausea, vomiting, sleep disturbace, dumping, hair loss etc.) were worse for you? For how long after surgery did they persist? How did you cope with them?

Vomiting and dumping were the worse but you quickly learn you can eat sugary foods but you have to go in moderation. By this you learn your tolerance. Fat foods fried in certain oils made me deathlyill and still do 3 years later. Still persists to this day if I am not careful.

What was the worst part about the entire bariatric surgery process?

The worst part is not being able to eat ground beef and that now I have malabsorption issues. My iron went wacky on me and they can't correct it because they took too much intestines. Please make sure you know what type of RNY they perform on you because you can end up with life time Iron IV transfusions whether or not you take supplements.

What aftercare support group/program do you have? How helpful/important is this?

I didn't attend support group, shame on me but I felt I need my family for support. I did emotionally very well and I feel more thankful for that. At times I wish I knew more folks from a support group but I don't regret my decision. I do encourage folks to use them they are a great source of support.

What is your scar like? Is this what you expected?

Yes and no. It probably wouldn't look bad if I didn't have flabby skin. I believe it is to be expected and I'm fine with that.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Plateaus lasted for a week at most but I constantly lost weight at least 3-5 pounds per week for 7 months. I then stopped loosing weight once I hit 150. I then slowly gained it back to 160 which was like your bodys way of keeping you at the right level just for you.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes most definitely. People treat me with way more respect and listen to my opinions. I am still a bit shy and tend to hold back but when I do say something it's valued. People who would have never talked to me before talk to me. It's just plain odd.