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

Many friends had it done back in 2004/2005 but I was too embarrased to ask details. Started researching it in 2005 on the net and knew after about an hour that I needed surgery to get my life back.

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

Many friends had it done back in 2004/2005 but I was too embarrased to ask details. Started researching it in 2005 on the net and knew after about an hour that I needed surgery to get my life back. Battled with my PCP (of 15 years) to get surgery. Switch to another doctor within the group. Battled again to find out the group would never approve it just stall until I gave up. Went to support groups and asked what primary care doctors and groups referred to the surgeon I wanted and switch groups again. Doctor agreed at first visit in July of 2005 that I was a great candidate for WLS. Did the 6 months of nutritional counseling required by Blue Shield and the group. Had RNY in April 2008. Best decision I ever made!

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

Dr. David Suh's seminars were wonderful! Very informative. Clearly explained the procedure, the benefits and risks. Knew the minute I left I had made a great choice in surgeons!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Researched on Obesity Help. Originally thought I wanted LapBand but discussed it with my surgeon and discovered that RNY was the better choice for me for long term weight loss and maintenance of weight loss.

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?

Preop I was more concerned about vomiting postop. I am now 7 months out and have never vomited. Dr. Suh has a very low complication rate and I knew that helped make my decision to move forward with RNY. I really have no fears now!

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?

Husband was scared at first. I thought Lapband was the least risk and knowing he was worried that was my first choice. Then I discovered its the same surgery risk (going under and time wise) with Lapband as with RNY. I knew based on my eating habits that RNY would be my better choice to lose the most amount of weight and keep it off.

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

Told my employer AFTER I got a surgery date. I am a teacher. Only had a two week notice that I would be out. Told my boss and my students that I could be out up to a month. Came back to work in 8 days! Felt fine. No complications. No vomiting. Nothing! Felt so good I couldnt believe I actually had surgery.

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

Great hospital. Parking was bad due to construction and expansion of the hospital. They had a baratric wing. Had surgery Wednesday morning and was released Friday morning by 8 AM!

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

I am now 7 months postop. Have had ZERO complications. Have never vomited!

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

Was excited. Spent a lot of time on the Obesity Help website reading tips from others about what to take to the hospital, what foods and vitamins to buy, and educating myself on what it would be like the first few weeks postop.

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

My mother came and stayed with the kids the day before surgery and stayed with them the two days I was in the hospital. I chose a surgeon two and a half hours away so we stayed in a hotel the night before and hubby stayed there until I was discharged. My mother stayed another week as my husband went back to work. I was overly cautious the first week with doing anything as I didnt want a hernia or other complications. Glad my mother came to help. Best advice, get a shower chair before surgery. Didnt have to worry about falling in the shower and was so thankful to have it when I got home from the hospital.

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

2 1/2 hours. I chose to drive a longer distance for a better surgeon.

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.

Clear liquids the first two days. Soft foods the first month (lived on jello, pudding, refried beans, cheese and protein drinks as my foods of choice) I actuallys stayed on these foods about 6 weeks to ensure better healing and less complications as suggested by others who have had WLS. Added meats at 3 months. Have eaten eggs 3 times and they feel like rocks in my pouch. No other food intolerances.

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

Back to normal activites in a week.

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

Chewable Multivitamin, Calcium, Liquid B Complex, Potasium, Iron

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/thinning at 4 months No nausea or vomiting

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

Fighting my previous primary care doctors to get WLS information and approval.

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

Monthly support meetings sponsored by my surgeon. Daily review of Obesity Help website.

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

Less than I expected. Barely noticeable.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

4 weeks out - no weight loss for one week 5 months out - no weight loss for two weeks 7 months out - no weight loss for one week Seems to be a pattern during my period!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Everyone comments on how great I look!