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

It was suggested by a doctor a few years ago, I sort of chuckled and blew it off.

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

It was actually easy once I had EVERYTHING they required in one basket, it only took 6 business days to approve. My advice, make sure you have all of the requirements before anything is submitted.

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

It was very good. Dr. Lo Menzo spent a great deal of time answering all of my questions, even when they probably seemed silly. He was very thoughtful in his replies and really made me feel good about what I was thinking about doing.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I just knew it was the tool I needed to overcome this lifestyle. I had tried every diet, I was starting to see breakdown of my knees and lower back. I knew I couldn't carry this weight any longer.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided at the seminar I was going to have the band, because I felt it was less invasive and I was really afraid of re-routing my insides. But 1 day after my paperwork was submitted to insurance, I changed my mind. I had been thinking about RNY for a long time and weighing the options in my head. I got on the OH site, posted a blog asking people how they felt about their decisions, got some great answers, and made mine.

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 don't have any fears about dying during surgery. Maybe i'm naive, but I have a lot of faith in the doctors I chose. My fears now are mainly that i'll wake up DURING the surgery... but I know that is an extreme case. I just need to have faith.. I will be okay. I'm sure the jitters will come the day/morning before.

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?

My husband and family was VERY supportive i've my decision. It was more accepted by my family, my husband took some time to talk about it with. It wasn't that he was against it, he is the type of person to really dig through everything before making a decision. So we spent many many nights talking about the choices, looking at information online, and he came with me to my original surgeon appointment to ask his own questions.

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

My supervisor was exceptional. He basically said to do what I need to do to be healthy and happy. I am taking a week and a half off work. But if I need more I can take more.

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

My hospital was really good. I had surgery where I work, (UMMC) and I had a required 2 night stay from my surgeon. The most important things to bring are chapstick and lotion!

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

The only problem I had was immediately after surgery when I woke up I was so miserable with nausea! They gave me everything they could and then eventually told me that I had maxed out on all the medication they could give me. After a few hours it went away!

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

I was mostly excited! My date kept getting moved closer and closer though so that made me a little anxious. I had already made my decision to do this surgery so I wasn't second guessing that decision. I was nervous about how I would feel afterwards.

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

I heal incredibly quickly so by day 2 I wasn't even taking any pain medication. I few days after surgery I was taking walks around the block with my family and even rode my bike a few blocks. The hardest part was figuring out what to eat.

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

My hospital was about 20 minutes from my home. My aftercare is also in this location.

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.

The first couple of weeks I could only eat very soft foods and liquids. I attemped a small bite of ham about 6 weeks out and it got stuck and I ended up vomiting which made me feel 100% better. Once I started with more solid foods I found that chicken goes down nicely, as well as salad, pork chops, even ground beef. Now I am 4 months out and cannot tolerate more than 2 bites of a soft bread or tortilla. That seems to get stuck, or make me feel very uncomfortable. I was stuck drinking protein drinks until 3-1/2 months out because I found it was the easiest way for me to get my protein in, but was warned by my surgeon that I needed to get off that crutch. Those are extra liquid calories that defeat the purpose of what i'm trying to do. It has been hard to give up but I managed to succeed.

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

I felt great the 2nd day after surgery! About 2-3 weeks post op I felt a little run-down and extra tired but that didn't last long. Now that I have lost 70 pounds I have so much more energy!

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

I take B12, a multi, Vitamin C, Vitamin D and Calcium.

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?

Immediately after surgery I had severe nausea that lasted for hours. Now that i'm 4 months out I noticed my hair is falling out at a greater rate. There is nothing I can do about the hair loss, I know why it is happening and that it will eventually stop and grow back.

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

Waiting. It takes so long to get the necessary paperwork, doctors appointments, etc. I wish they could streamline this so it doesn't take as long as it does, but I know that the waiting period is also helpful for the individual to decide if this really is something they want to do.

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

My hospital offers a support group but I have only gone one time. My experience with that group was just "ok" and I really felt that I didn't get anything out of it. I am on Obesity Help website and have a few friends now that have had the surgery so I can ask questions when I need to. I also won't hesitate to call my surgeon's office with questions. There are also Bariatric books I own and the never failing Google as a resource to questions!

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

I have 6 small incisions all over my stomach area. It is what I had expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Around month 3 I began to stop losing weight for a few days and then drop a pound or 2 and then not lose for a few days, etc. That is still continuing.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES! I am not sure if it is because i'm not as obese as I was and people are more accepting of me or if my self-esteem is high enough now that I don't automatically shut people out of my life and away from saying hello to me.