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

When I was 11 or 12 my primary physician told me I qualified for it. That was the first time I had heard about it and it scared me. All I ever heard of is people who got it done were sick for the rest of their life, or they died from it.

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

I have Medica Essential and my surgeons office submitted on 11/22 and I got a call from Medica, themselves the following monday. When I heard the message from them on my amswering machine, I froze. I was scared that they denied me and I didn't know how I would react, so the following morning I called my surgeons office and asked them if it was normal to get a call from the insurance company. They said to call them back and we would go from there. I got approved that day!

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

Everyone who was on my care team, were fantastic! I had no complaints. They cared about me as a patient and as a person. I was in the hospital for a total of 2 1/2 days for my type of surgery I had (laperscopic gastric bypass). I brought a camera. It was important for me to have this time documented, so i can always look back and see my journey.

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

I only had pain on my left side where all the manipulating was done. I delt with the pain by wearing my elastic gurtile they give you, Tylenol, and deep breathing exercises. The liquid pain meds taste horrible, so I stoped those i soon as I could!

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

My surgery date was 2 1/2 weeks after i got approved. I had gone over and over it with my husband and the rest of our families. Everyone was relativley supportive of my dicision to do this, so it was easier on me. I was scared, but I had to look at the bigger picture- I was doing this to be more healthier, and able to be more active, and have less body and joint pains. I made everyone promise they wouldn't cry in front of me. but the night before, I stayed awake and prayed to God and to my Grandfather and begged them both to watch over me.

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

I was bored out of my mind!!! Thank God for internet and Pogo games- it saved me!!! You shouldnt expect too much of anything out of yourself. Give your body time to heal and adjust to the trauma that has happened. You're still gonna hurt, but take your time doing things and don't exert yourself.

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

I went through Fairview Southdale WLSC and it's about a 20 - 30 minuet drive depending on traffic. It didn't affect my aftercare.

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 now hate cream style soups! I never was a big fan of them, you know- eating them by themselves. I had always cooked with them, but to have to strain the chunks out, then eat it (with no crackers I might add!!!) was really hard. I am burned out on pudding (sugar free). I used to love the chocolate flavor - now I cant even look at it. Today was my first day of solids actually, and i had a "salad" (shredded lettuce and fat free ranch dressing) and i had a crab salad sandwich(on toasted bread) with a half of cheese slice.

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

Nothing. I had no energy to do anything. I vegged out in front of the TV or computer. When I had to go back to work I'd be there for 3-4 hours and i'd have to go home. I had no energy to be there.

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

I take my flinstone vitamins (2 a day), B12 shots once a month, 2 - 3 viactive (chocolate flavor) calcium chews a day, Protien powder sprinkeled on food.

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

I didnt really have a "worst" part. I did have hard times with the food, but once you hit stage 3 (pureed foods) you are home free. Stay away from the baby food- Get a hand held blender or puree machine and anything anyone else is having to eat - you can too! But it's the first 3 weeks after that are the hardest!! All liquids and nothing that crunches or tastes all that great. It's hard to watch people eat in front of you.

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

I have my family, and a couple friends who have gotten the same surgery done. This is a huge part of your success, a person needs to have positive around them at this time!!

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

I have 5 incisions and a hole scar where my drain tube was. The incisions / scar are not that big and are healing very nicely. It's what I expected to have.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I was stuck at 300# and was getting a little frustrated. I felt like I was losing pounds, but I was losing inches. I didnt think of that part figuring in. I thought it happened at the same time, but I now know different. I was getting upset but I realized that my body is just catching up with everything, and that I needed to be patient.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I know a person who was upset with me when he heard I was having this done. He is older and thought I should be doing the weight loss the old fashioned way. I informed him that I wasn't looking for his aproval, but to not judge me because of how I feel I need to take care of this - and myself. I think he has more respect for me now- knowing that than he did before.