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

I just got on google search and started researching. I found a good place only an hour from where I lived and started making phone calls. I set up an initial consultation and things took off from there. I was scared and nervous at first; kind of wondering if surgery was really worth it, was this the only way I was going to keep from putting on pounds. It is well worth it.

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

My experience with insurance approval was really not that bad. I had to wait about six months for approval, but I have heard that others have had to wait much longer. The best advice I can give to others waiting for insurance approval is to be vigilant and patient. Talk with the person in your doctors office who is in charge of insurance, keep them posted, ask questions.Do not be afraid to ask questions.

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

We had a very good visit, she knew I had many questions and she let me ask all the questions I wanted.She relieved my fears and explained everything in regular English, not just doctorese. Even if you think a question is sill go ahead and ask it,it is important to you to have answers. The doctor is not going to laugh at you, the question you don't ask may be the question you really need an answer to later. Ask questions while you have them.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The fact that I didn't like who I was becoming. I was depressed almost all of the time. My self esteem was very poor, I didn't like to look in the mirror, I hated to buy clothes becasue they were getting so big,it was embarrassing to go with friends to buy clothes. Simple things were becoming difficult, tying my shoes, bending over to pick up something on the floor. I wanted to live a healthy and full life. I was going down a road to a slow death.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I knew what procedure I was going to have after the first consultation that I had. It was a group consultation and the doctor explained all of the procedures she did and what was involved with them and the complications with each of them. I still have all of the paper work from that consultation.

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 was worried about being put under. I had never had major surgery or stayed in the hospital over night until I had wls. I didn't really thinkg about the possiblility of dying, I was just looking forward to having a new life, a better life. I went to support group every month and that was a huge help to me. They had been through the same doubts, fears and expectations that I was going through. They were so wonderful.

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 parents were scared for me about my decision, but they were supportive. We would talk about what stage of the process I was in and what was coming next. I don't think I would change anything about the way I told them what I was thinking about doing and what I was going to do. Everyone in my family knew I was getting bigger and had to do something. Things kind of drifted off after surgery. They ask me how I am doing, but I don't see them very much.

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

I am a college student and I chose to have my surgery during summer break. I had about 3-4 weeks off from classes to get ready for the next semester. Everyone has been supportive and noticed a change when I went back to class. I get a lot of support from my college professors and students.

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

I am so glad that I went to that first seminar. It really changed my life. I received so much valuable information.I have a new and longer life because I went to that information session.

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

My stay in the hospital was great.The whole staff was wonderful. I had my surgery Monday morning and I went home Wed.afternoon. I was up every two hours to take laps around the floor, so you are not going to lay in bed and sleep after surgery. You have to get up and get moving, moving will help you lose weight. Don't bring anything you don't need. Bring a change of clothes to go home in, your personal shower items, maybe a good book to have in case you don't want to watch tv. I had the tv on, but honestly I don't remember anything that was on.

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

I was lucky I didn't have any complications from the surgery.

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 excited to say the least. I was on my way to a new life. My family and friends were more nervous and worried than I was. I was looking forward to changing my life and basically starting over. I wasn't worried about the surgery at all, I was worried about what the stay in the hospital was going to be like.

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

I was mad when I got home, I didn't have anyone to stay with me. I was supposed to have, but when I got home it didn't pan out. I had to do for myself. It has made me stronger in spirit, but also still angry. What if I had fallen or hurt myself, who was going to be ther to get me help? Please, please make sure you have someone to stay with you at least for the first couple of days, just to make sure you can get around ok.

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

My hospital was an hour and 15 mins away from where I live. I had good care on the way home. I slept most of the way home and the driver helped me to my apartment and carried my bag in for me. She made sure I had everything I needed before she left.

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.

Before my wls I would eat whatever I wanted whenever I wanted, I am not able to to do that now. I have to eat three times a day, I am on the part of my plan where I eat 3oz three times a day. I don't like chocolate anymore, orange flavored things I don't like.l am having some trouble with meat at this point, but I love most fruits and vegetables. One of the hardest things I have had to do is to keep myself from cheating. I get tempted sometimes, and try to test my stomach. Every time I have done that I have paid for it, my stomach gets upset. You have to take things slowly, it didn't take you overnight to get big and it isn't going to be overnight for you to change.

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

Things were a little slow at first, you don't want to do too much and wear yourself out. You have to be patiet with yourself. Learn to listen to your body, it will tell you when it's tired.I have had to remind myself to eat three times a day because since my surgery I don't have hunger pangs like I used to. I just don't feel hungry. If your meal plan requires you to eat three ounces per meal, measure your food and eat three ounces, don't go over.

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

I take a B1 pill every Mon. B12 shot once a month. Multivitamin 3 times a day. 2 fiber tablets every day. Vitamin D pill every day. 3 chewable calcium chews every day. i am still on the protein supplement so I have 64 grams of protein.

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 have had some dumping when I have had something to eat with too much fat or sugar. I am experiencing some hair loss, it is hard to deal with. I am just trying to be patient with all of the changes. There really isn't anything that I can do to stop them,my body is adjusting to a thinner me, I have to adjust along with it. It is a process and there are going to be rough times and easier times.

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

For me the worst part has been that less than two months after my bypass surgery I had to have my gallbladder out. Right now I am feeling tired and worn out. My body has been through a lot in a short amount of time, I have to give it time to recover.

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

I go to a support group in Carmel, IN the forth Wed of every month. The group is wonderful. there are people who are waiting for their surgery dates, I have been there. There are people who have already had surgery, they are very beneficial. I have also now had surgery, I am able to help others who are now where I once was.

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

My scars aren't as big as I thought they would be. I don't really know what I thought they would be, I never thought to ask anyone what they looked like.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had a couple plateaus since my surgery. I deal with them by trying not to weigh myself every time I go to the bathroom. it is tempting to do that. If you weigh yourself every 3-4 hours you are going to get frustrated. I try to weigh myself in the morning when I get up and that's it. I also have to remind myself to stick to the plan. The meal plans were put together by people with a lot more experience than me, they work for a reason. I have to be patient.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, sometimes. It isn't fair that more people take me seriously now that I am thinner. I am still the same person, only the outside part of me has changed.