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

I had looked into in January of 2005. The day I got the information packet in the mail was the same day I found out I was pregnant. So that was put on the back burner until October of 2006 when I decided to look into having WLS again.

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

So far I am still playing the waiting game with insurance. I have two providers; one through my husbands empoyer and the other through mine. It's been a week since my WLS surgeon received the letter from my family doctor and faxed that to both insurance providers. Now I wait...and wait...and wait!

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

I had a good initial visit with my surgeon. I think people can go in being prepared. Have a list of everything you've tried for weight loss, do research and don't be afraid to ask questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I know I can't continue on the road that I'm on and I need help going in the direction I need to go. I know if I exercise like mad and watch what I eat I can lose weight but I am unable to keep it off. This provides me with a tool to overcome a lot of my bad eating habits and make a huge change in my lifestyle (which I've already started to do).

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I'll have the lap RNY since that is my surgeon's specialty.

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?

One thing that helps me deal with my fears is having confidence in my surgeon and his team. If I felt the least big uncomfortable with him or his colleagues I would switch to a different facility. People's fears are their own to deal with. You can give someone advice but the best is to use your own judgement and your own intuition. Your inner voice can also be your guardian angel...make sure you listen closely!

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 family and friends haven't been very supportive and that is entirely fear based. My husband was afraid until I sent him in the direction of research and now he seems more okay with it. I'd have the surgery done regardless of what anyone would say...it's my body, my health, my choice.

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

I haven't told my employer yet and won't until I get insurance approval. I plan on being off work for 8 weeks and since it's major surgery and I work in a factory they won't let me come back until the doctor says I'm 100%. It's a liability concern to put anyone on light duty for anything other than Work Comp.

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

Hospital stay wasn't bad. Typical. Wake you up every so often during the night. Had some difficulty getting meds when asked. Usually not in a very timely manner. I was there from 2/26/07 til 2/28/07. Most important to bring would be slippers and your own clothes. Also suggest bringing a pillow from home...theirs aren't the most comfy.

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

At 6 days out I ended up with my JP exit infected. Not horrible but had to be on antibiotics for 10 days.

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 pretty calm about the whole idea right until we got to the hospital and then I was a little nervous. Not terribly bad though.

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

You are given restrictions for a reason. Just because you feel great doesn't mean you are all healed up inside. Follow the guidelines you are given and don't over do it. I did and felt like crap for a day.

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

When I have surgery the hospital I'll be at is about an hour and a half from 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.

Only 15 days out now and on a semi-liquid diet. A lot of cream soups, puddings, yogurts, lots of water and skim milk. So far I haven't gotten to experiment with foods. Some smells turn my stomach though. Not usually a big seafood person but a commercial for lobster looked fantastic!

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

All I'm allowed to do right now is walk and light housework.

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

I take Calcium w/D, B12, B Complex, Iron, Multivitamin, Actigall, Prevacid

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 nausea in the hospital the first few times I got up to walk. It's taken 2 weeks to finally be able to sleep through the night. No vomiting and no hair loss (yet).

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

When my JP Drain got infected. It's unusual and I think it was because I caught the tubing on Allison's baby gate and on the corner of the bathroom sink. They both pulled it pretty hard. And, on top of that, just normal irritation.

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

So far I haven't attended any support groups. I think there is one in Grinnell but I don't know when they meet.

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

I have 5 1" incisions that are healing nicely. They were glued shut so no staples or stitches. Then I have a McDonald's sized straw type hole in my side from my drain. I fully expect to have a funky scar from that.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I hit my first plateau yesterday. I had been losing everyday and then Sunday was my last loss.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yeah, already. My neighbor is kind of avoiding me.