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

I am a nurse, so I thought I knew all about WLS.. boy was I wrong. My first real experience was with one of my friends from nursing school who had RNY. She had lots of vomiting and dumping.. I wasn't very impressed. However, as I got bigger and bigger, with no end in sight, I could see how if you were desperate enough you'd be willing to live that way. I re-experienced it with another nurse and she was doing much better. That's when I decided maybe I could do it.

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

I felt like I went round and round with my insurance company. However, looking at other's experiences I really didn't have it too bad. My advice would be to make sure you know exactly what your insurance requires. Then do it.. exactly the way they ask for it. After you have done your part.. keep on them. Call every day if you have to. "The squeaky wheel gets the grease"

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

Actually I met with a surgeon that my insurance wouldn't even pay for (see question #4). That was very productive. He did a couple different procedures and gave me lots of information. My first meeting with the MD who finally did me was actually easy and painless. He only does one kind of procedure so it was simple to ask everything I wanted to know. The best advice I have for a first meeting is to make a list of your questions. As the surgeon answers them for you check them off. At the end, ask anything you don't understand or need clarification on. Treat this like you would treat any other major decision in your life. Make a pro/con list and research, reasearch, reasearch.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had considered WLS for about 3 years, but my husband was not supportive. One night he came home from work and said to me, "I read Carney Wilson's book about WLS, I think you should do it." We discussed how tired I was all the time and how miserable I was. Together we made the decision to do it. I wouldn't ever tell a person to do WLS because someone in their life thinks it's a good idea, but I would tell everyone considering it to speak to their family and loved ones about it. You need all the support you can get. I think the support I've gotten from my husband has made this work for me.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I chose the Molina band with Dr Oria because I didn't think I'd be happy with the nausea/vomiting/dumping that goes along with RNY. Now that I am 8 months post-op, I know I made the right decision. I can eat anything, well-- no bread-- that I want and feel fine. I just have small, small amounts and I do fine.

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?

No fear. Really, none. I figured high blood pressure and diabetes would get me slowly. If I died on the table at least I went fast.

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?

Actually everyone was great. I can't say I would have done anything differently. But, as I said before, I waited until my husband was ready before I did it. I think that made the biggest difference. If I had made the leap when I was ready but he wasn't I can imagine things might be very different.

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

Well, this one was pretty easy for me. I just told them what I was doing and that I needed 6 weeks off. No drama.

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

I was only in the hospital basically overnight and most of the next day. It wasn't too bad. Spring Branch is kind of an older hospital but the people were very nice to me.

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

no complications at all

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 very excited. I didn't really have too much anxiety at all. I knew this was what I wanted for my life.

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

It was hard for me. Hard to not eat the way I was used to. It took a lot of mental strength to change those behaviors for me.

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

My surgery was done in the city I live in, so travel was of no concern to me.

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.

I ate pretty much anything I wanted at first. The portion restriction was what I had trouble dealing with. I have now found that I cannot eat anything that "puffs"-- no bread, no shredded wheat. I also have some trouble with steak... but not chicken, fish, or even ground beef.

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

Not too much. I was very tired and in a lot of pain (but I am an admitted wimp). I didn't do too much until I was forced to because I returned to work.

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

Mostly I take a good Multi and try to use protein supplemets to help with that.

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 had very little nausea and vomiting. I found out pretty quickly what caused it and avoided it. Other than that there really haven't been any side effects at all.

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

Not being able to eat. I know that sounds stupid, because you know that is the whole point of the surgery. But, I didn't realize how much of my life revolved around food until I quit eating.

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

None, and I don't think its important at all. I have my familiy and my friends and they are all I have needed.

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

It's about 3-4 inches long and under my bra line. So, for me it's no big deal.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None really, I've lost weight until I got to my goal and here I am.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

You bet. I think that there is a bias against fat people. I think either you are't a person at all.. like you don't exist..or people think you are just lazy. All of that is gone for me now.