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

I found out about this surgery through a friend at work that had the surgery and to me she has been my inspiration and inspired me into having the surgery done.

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

I was approved for bariatric surgery 3 wks after submission. My advice is to check w/your insurance first to make sure this surgery is covered.

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

It was only a consult and he talked w/me about the surgery and explained the type of proceedure being performed and told me my BMI (body mass index) and told me if he thought I would be a good candidate for the surgery or not.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When my primary care physician told me that I was on the brink of having a heart attack or stroke if I did not lose weight.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I didn't my surgeon decided which proceedure would be best.

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 did not have death fears I thought positive the whole time and would incourage others to think positive and stay away from the negative. My surgeon has only lost one patient from this surgery out of doing over 2006 of these surgeries. I couldn't be afraid he has a very high success rate. I was a little nervous right before surgery because I was wondering about the type of pain I would be in afterwards, but that was it.

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 are very excited for me and can't wait to see me, but my sister will not call me. But thats ok through God all things will prosper.

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

My employer What should I say about them. They are the reason that I have landed a better job, which is at the hospital where I had my surgery. I will work w/people that can better relate to my situation and will also be working 5 nights a week w/the surgeon that performed my gastric bypass it gets no better than that.

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 a little uncomfortable the first night there, but things got much better the following day. My husband was very supportive of me and with out him there with me I would have far more miserable. I was in the hospital for 2 days. The most important things to bring are deoderant,lotion and toothpaste/toothbrush. You really don't need a lot because the hospital provides everything else.....enjoy the pampering while you got it.

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

I had no complications after the surgery. Only your normal aches and pains.

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 so relieved once I got my surgery date, I became stress free. I really did not suffer anxiety.

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

That first week was aweful, but each day began getting better and better. Be prepared for soreness and take life one day at a time.

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

I didn't, I had it in the city that I live in.

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.

Well hamburgers,pizza,enchiladas and fried chicken are out of the picture now. After surgery I began the phase 1 diet which consists of broth and jello. Phase 2 I was able to eat mashed potatoes and certain types of soup such as: chicken noodle. Phase 3 was strictly pureed foods,everything was blended in the blender. Phase 4 is soft foods only: mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, rice & beans, rice & beans, rice w/gravy. Finally Phase 5 you can anything except for the things first mentioned in this paragraph if you have bread its better tolerated if its toasted. No bread in the first 3 stages. The dieticians prefer that you take in 48 to 64 oz of water per day. Right now I am on the final phase which is phase 5 known as the regular diet.

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

I began becoming more active at around 2 1/2 wks post op. I went back to work 2 wks after surgery.

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

I take childrens chewable multivitamins and a B12 shot once a month now.

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 get nauseated if I take one bite to many and sometime I will vomit. I have only had diahreeha once since the surgery.

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

The PAIN afterwards during that first week.

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

Right now I attend a bariatric support group thats held at the hospital where I had surgery on every 2nd Tuesday of every month. This support group is very helpful, the people there are people who have had the surgery or people debating on having it and people that have just gotten their approval and there for info. I would recommend any one that is thinking about this particular surgery to go to one of the support meetings because there's a lot to learn.

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

My scar is minimal because I had the laporoscopic-RNY done. It's a very small incision about 1 1/2 inches in length and will shrink w/time. This is exactly what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have so far lost 30 pounds and feel great. I am one month post op right now.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, some for the bad and some for the good. I choose to deal w/positive people and stay away from the negative.