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

My PCP suggested it three years prior to my having the surgery. I was uncertain about it because it is major surgery. It took a lot of research and thought on my part to even think about moving forward.

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

My insurance was great. My doc sent me to surgery center for the initial meetings and I was approved. I was supposed to loose about 30 pounds, prior to surgery, but they did it after I lost 20.

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

My surgeon was exceedingly kind and interested in what I wanted out of the surgery and my expectations. He answered my list of questions and posited more to me to have me think if this was what I really wanted. He seemed really interested to know what I thought, why I wanted the surgery and felt out if this was something that would be best for me medically and emotionally.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

A friend of mine, who had many of the same issues and habits that I had, had the surgery with my surgeon and has been highly successful.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

RYN, because of the results with diabetic patients.

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 had heard about some complications prior to surgery such as the junction points scarring over or internal bleeding. But the people who had these terrifying complications all said that they would do the surgery over in a heart beat if they had the chance to. So, I wasn't really afraid going in.

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?

I discussed the surgery with my husband and children. My support group also knew prior, but beyond that I did not tell anyone else prior to surgery. After surgery most people have been supportive, few have given me strange looks or been concerned, but overall most people are supportive.

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

My employer was supportive. I told them I went in for gastric bypass. I was off work for 4 weeks and had a substitute. Everything went well.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

I am glad I attended the informational seminars. It was helpful to understand better what I was getting into.

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

I was in the hospital for 3 days and it was a great experience. Very restive and quiet. I would recommend bringing your own slippers and a good book.

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?

I felt tired and a little sore. I did have a large hematoma (SP?), but called the surgeon's office who said that it would go away in a couple weeks and it did. That was the only thing I was anxious about.

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

Expect that you need to rest and heal. Don't plan to back to work straight away or that you will have energy to do projects around the house. You need to heal.

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

I traveled about 50 miles for surgery. It did not affect my aftercare since I can go to my PCP who is 10 miles away.

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.

In the first 2 weeks I could only eat yogurt, creamed soups and cottage cheese. In the following 2 months, I ate only really soft foods like eggs, poached meat, etc. Now that I am 10 months out, I can eat pretty much anything. I have to eat extreme amounts of sugar or fat to dump, which I have to say is disappointing. I was hoping for more of a negative reaction to help me stay on track. In the first 4-5 months, I did have trouble keeping food down if I didn't chew well enough.

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

In the first few days after surgery I would walk around my court for 10-15 minutes at a time and build up how many times in a day I would go out. I mostly walk in the last 10 month, but joined a gym recently to increase my muscle and burn more fat. I wish I would have joined the gym sooner, it's better to start now than never.

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

These are what I take daily: 2x multi-vitamin 3x Calcium 1x Vitamin D3 (at surgeon's suggestion) 1x Vitamin B1 3x Benefiber 2x weekly Vitamin B12 (at surgeon's suggestion)

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?

I did have some hair loss between months 4-7, but that has resolved itself.

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

Not having food aversions now that I am 10 months out.

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

I attend a support group meeting 1-2 times per month. It is very important to me to talk with people who are going through what I am. My local area group recently started a group for people who are more than 6 month out of surgery.

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

My scars are minimal and blend in with the stretch marks already on my belly.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I really slowed down my weight loss after 7 months. I have been on a plateau for for months 8-10. While I am back to what I weighed in my freshman/sophomore years of high school, I am still obese. I am currently struggling with incorporating carbs in my diet. (like I really should not have them at all)

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People are encouraging in that they tell me how great I look. I have noticed that salespeople are more likely to talk with me in clothing shops.