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

A friend came into my work and I did not recognize her. She told me all about the surgery. I made a phone call to my primary care doctor that day.

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

I had to really work on my doctor to approve me. She wanted me to try another diet first. Be persistant!

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

Frustrating. I did not know the I would have to lose weight first before be considered a candidate. go into the appointment with lots of knowledge. Do the research.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

After seeing my friend who had the surgery. I thought I might just be able to have my life back.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My HMO only approves for RNY

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?

My biggest fear was blood clots, and pulmonary embolism. I would tell other people that right after surgery, no matter how you hurt, force yourself to get up and walk, walk , walk

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 was extremely supportive. I hesitated telling 2 of my 3 sisters out of fear of their negativity. To my surprise they were very supportive.

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

My co-workers and boss were very supportive. I was out of work for 2 1/2 weeks.

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

My hospital stay was horrible. I had horrible nursing care. One nurse refused to help get me up right after surgery. One did not know how to take my blood pressure and kept pumping up the cuff till I finally said enough. I was in the hospital 2 days. The most important thing to bring is a fan. No matter what time of year it is for some reason hosptal rooms are too hot.

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

I had a yeast infection around one the incision sites 4 days after surgery. I went and saw my primary care physician who prescribe an anti-fungal cream. It took about 1 1/2 weeks to go away.

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

Anxious, Excited, Worried. worried about how my family was going to do without me. Especially my husband. How do you deal with it all- one step at a time.

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

the first week home I was very very emotional. I was very sore. It felt like a mac-truck ran over my abdomen. But after the first week it go alot better

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

I had to travel about 25 miles to the hospital.

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.

in the first week it was full liquids. then week 2-4 was soft to pureed foods. then by week 5 I could start introducing regular foods. Food that I can not tolerate is POPCORN- a huge huge no-no. The pain is unbearable. I don't like the taste of breads, cottage cheese, and regular slice of american cheese.

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

I was not allowed to exercise until week 3. I started riding my bike. I only did about 1 mile. I started increasing as I could tolerate. Then about once a week I would do about 20 minutes of step aerobics. today I can ride about 10 miles on the bike and do about 35 minutes of aerobics.

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

I take 2 childrens chewables a day, 1 b12 sublinguil, and 2 calcium tablets a day.

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?

Hair loss is incredible. I started losing my hair about 2 months post-op and I am still losing it. (4 months postop ) Sleep disturbance- I have so much energy I can't go to be till 11 or 12 at night. I used to be asleep at 9:30 -10 before surgery

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

the wait. It took 13 months since requesting a referral to actually having the surgery.

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

I goto a local support group that is done by post-op patients. I find this group so helpful. I don't miss a meeting

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

I have five little scars. It is exactly what I expected

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

the most days that I have plateaued has been 3. Usually around the time of my period. Now I have been plateaued for 1 week.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People/co-workers definitly treat me different. some of them don't include me in their plans/luches.