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

I was very excited when I heard I might be a candidate and immediately wanted to know more.

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

It takes a long time! It took me two years to get approved, but it is so worth it. Don't give up.

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

Excellent. He was very knowledgable and confident. Made me feel more secure. Bring a list of questions so you don't forget anything.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

After two years of jumping through hoops and going on medications and visiting personal trainers to please my insurance company, I realized that surgery is truly the only thing that could help me. I suddenly wasn't afraid anymore.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon showed me the statistics and you can't argue with that. The roux-en-y is very proven.

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?

The thought of death crossed my mind and I made sure all my paperwork was in order just in case. But I wasn't afraid. There was no other choice for me. I am so happy I did it. And finding the right surgeon is key. I never worried because he was so calm. I had a textbook case, absolutely no complications.

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?

Most of my family and friends were VERY supportive before, during and after surgery. I couldn't have asked for better. There were a few people who didn't agree with what I was doing, but I did this for me, and I can't have that kind of negativity in my life. For once, I made this all about me.

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

I told my boss what I was having done and that I would be off for one week. I tried to work from home part-time the second week and then was back at full-stength in the third week.

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

The hospital and staff were GREAT! I was so lucky. I was there for 4 nights. Bring something to entertain you - friends, family, books, movies, etc. I felt good enough on day 2 that I was looking for things to do.

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

None.

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 tired very easily for about a month after surgery, from what I think was the anesthesia effect. But not so bad that I wasn't able to go to work and live a normal life. It was hard to eat only soft foods for so long. I was never more happy to eat mashed potatoes in my life when I finally got off the liquid phase. That period felt much longer than it was.

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

Prepare to feel a little "left out". While friends and family are eating steaks and drinking wine, you'll be eating jello. Just know that it only lasts for a few weeks.

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

500 miles. I have been vigilent about seeing my doctor for scheduled post-op care and have found a local support group. The travel was worth it to receive first class care.

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 ten days was liquids and shakes and jello. The first six weeks were soft foods only. Some people cheat and start earlier, but I didn't. Soft foods aren't bad, but you start to run out of options. Try to avoid temptation. For the first 3 months, I could tell when I overdid it and felt very uncomfortable. At six months out, I'm more tolerant and able to eat most anything (in small portions). It's nice to have the variety back.

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

I was up and walking on day 1 so be ready for that. Truthfully it was good to be out of that bed! After the first month, I gained back some energy, but didn't feel normal again until nearly four months. I think I was a bit dehydrated and maybe suffering some vitamin deficiencies for a time. Feel great now at six months out.

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

Bariatric Advantage vitamins (recommended by my surgeon). I take 2 multis every day, plus 2 calcium, and 1 iron. I also take a B12 3 times per week.

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 some dumping, but learned what to avoid. No nausea unless I overate. No vomiting though. I got the hair loss, but not enough to notice or to bother me. Just more in the brush in the morning. The nausea and dumping are easy to learn from. If it happens once, just don't eat that same thing again! A lot of it is trial and error.

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

Probably the anxiety the morning before surgery! Seriously, it was pretty hard to stay on soft foods for six weeks. Temptation abounds - TV ads, family, friends, restaurants, etc. Just be prepared for that.

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

I meet with a support group monthly and a psychiatrist monthly also. Both of these are necessary for me - the support group reminds me that what I'm feeling is normal and the psychiatrist helps me through my journey and to deal with the new feelings I'm having.

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

I have 5 baby scars that are no worse than a cat scratch. It is exactly what my surgeon said to expect. I'm impressed with how they have healed.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None yet, but I'm only at six months.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. I'm getting more attention from men in my life - coworkers, friends, etc. Some women are supportive but some seem jealous. The attention is a bit overwhelming. It makes me a bit angry, because I've been the same person all along, but they didn't notice me till now? That's a bit insulting.