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

Years ago I saw a talk show about it. I was 16 at the time and from that day forward I knew I wanted this surgery. No matter the risks. I would have rather died than to continue living the way I was.

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

Getting approval for this surgery wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. My surgeon's staff did most of the work. All I did was call and bug the crap out of the people at bc/bs to make sure my request wasn't just gathering dust on someone's desk.

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

The first visit with my surgreon was a critical one. I had already done my research, but now I had the chance to ask every question I could think of about this surgery. This visit would be the deciding factor in wether or not I persued this any further. Be prepared. Have a list of all your questions and concerns to take with you when you go for your appointment. This way you don't have to worry about forgetting to ask something you might otherwise have forgotten.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was 21 years old and I felt like an old woman. I was tired and hurt all the time. I knew that if something didn't change, this is what I was going to be like for the rest of my life and that's not the life I want for myself. I wanted to feel like a 21 year old is supposed to feel. I knew that I wanted to have children and at the rate I was going, there was no way I would be physically able to care for a child when I was in such bad shape myself.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My doctor suggested the procedure and we weighed the risks and benefits of it along with other porcedures.

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 knew there were some substantial risks, but the benefits far outweighed the risks. I told myself that if I didn't have this surgery, I would have no quality of life and this was my only chance to change that. I knew that if I didn't lose the weight soon, I was likely going to have even more serious health problems and would be in constant discomfort. I was too young to be facing those kinds of thoughts.

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 mother and father were terrified of the idea that I was going to have this major surgery just to lose weight. I explained to them that it was so much more than that to me. And, after meeting with my surgeon and reading all of the research I had done on the procedure, my family completely supported my decision. They have been wonderful and haved really helped me alot. Especially my mom. She's so proud of me. She's like my coach. She always reminds me to take my vitamins and exercise.

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

They were very supportive. I told them what procedure I was having done and I let them read my research. They were wonderful. I was out of work for about three weeks. I should have stayed home for another week or two in all honesty.

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 miserable. I was there for four or five days. The most important things to bring are personal items.

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

I had infection beneath my incision. It surfaced about two weeks after returning home from the hospital. My incision opened up completely and drained profusely. I had to clean it and pack it several times a day for about six weeks while it healed from the inside out. I had to take a double dose of a very strong antibiotic and had to see my surgeon once a week until it was better.

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

In the weeks following my surgery, I was very weak and very depressed. I cried almost everyday. Constantly wondering if I had made a mistake. But, as soon as I started healing, I began to feel better. Once I could see the weight start to fall off, I knew I had done the right thing. It is just so hard. People tell you that it's going to be hard and they tell you things to expect, but there is no way to prepare yourself for how hard it truly is. It was the hardest most unbearable thing I have ever gone through. It is easily the worst pain that I have ever felt and I wouldn't trade it for anything in this world. It has made me a stronger person.

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

After coming home from the hospital, I was very weak. I stayed in the bed for the first few days I was home. I still couldn't really eat anything. Everything I tried to eat made me vomit. The only thing I could eat was a couple teaspoons of a fat free jello pudding cup. It was very difficult. I didn't want to eat what I did. I had no desire to eat. I had to force myself to take the smallest bite.

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

I had to travel about and hour and a half to have my surgery. It wasn't that bad. However, the ride home from the hospital on the day I was released was horrible. I threw up every ten minutes or so. Needless to say, it was a long trip home.

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 two weeks after my surgery, I could only eat fat free pudding and yougart. Then, I started trying mashed potatoes and mac and cheese. Soft foods. I couldn't tolerate any type of sugar and no carbonated beverages. I don't tolerate any type of meat very well. Now, moderate amounts of sugar are okay. I still have trouble with meat. I cannot eat anything fried. It makes me dreadfully sick.

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

In the days and weeks after my surgery, my actvity level was nil. I know alot of it was from the complications I had, but from the first of August to the end of September, I pretty much stayed home. I went back to work too early and it just drained me.

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

Everyday I take a multi-vitamin, iron and B-12 supplements, 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?

The nausia and vomiting were pretty persistent the first two months. Now it is occasional. The sleep disturbance was only for the first month. The hair loss is what I am dealing with now. It has been the hardest for me so far. It started in November and is still falling out. I have always had very long, very thick hair. My hair is still long, but it is very thin and does not look very healthy. My surgeon says that it will eventually stop. I just hope it's soon.

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

The worst part of the bariatric surgery process is the waiting before the surgery and then then two weeks after the surgery.

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

My mother is my aftercare support. She reminds me on a daily basis how important it is that I take my vitamins and eat and take care of myself.

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

My scar is about five inches long. It is fading and getting smoother everyday. I won't ever wear a bikini, but that's fine with me. I knew I would have a scar so, it's not a big deal. In fact, it's not as bad as I thought it would be.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I lost very rapidly the first three months. I have slowed more and more in the months since then, but I'm still losing. So, I haven't really plateaued yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People treat me very differently now. I don't get stared at when I go out in public anymore. I don't fear going to restaurants anymore. I always felt like people were watching me to see how much I would eat. I love to shop now. Especially because I don't have to go to a plus-size store anymore. People don't stare at me while I'm looking at clothes anymore. The only problem I have with shopping now is that a month after I buy an outfit, it's too big for me. I have never felt that feeling before and I love it. Men definitely treat me differently. Now when a guy looks at me in public, I know it's because he thinks I'm attractive, not repulsive. I have a knew confidence in myself and it's not only obvious to me, but to everyone around me.