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

I first heard of bariatric surgery from my family doctor and then had seen a talk show with Carnie Wilson. I was so excited when I heard about the surgery because it made me feel like there was hope for a better life.

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

It took a while to get things to my insurance company but once they had all the information they needed they approved me right away. I would call once a week just to make sure that things were getting processed and they were always nice to me.

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

My immediate reaction with Dr. Gomez was great. I felt like he was compassionate and truly wanted to help people. It is important for me to have a doctor that cares and I think Dr. Gomez truly cares.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Once I read about the surgery my mind was made up. Nothing was going to stop me from going through with it. After I found this website it just confirmed what I wanted. There were so many positves on here that made me feel like this was the best decision I could make.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon decided for me which procedure I was to have but when I was called with my date for surgery they asked me if I would like to have laproscopic and I was extremely happy for that.

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?

Before surgery I told my husband that I was certain of my decision for surgery and that if something happened to me that I wanted him to tell people that I was making a choose to prolong my life and that if I didn't have the surgery I may not live that long anyway.

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 and most friends were also but there are always a few people who know it all and think they know what's best for someone else. I was so certain of my decision that no one could talk me out of it. I have a wonderful husband and family that was by side every step of the way!

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

Most of the people I work with (including my boss) were very supportive. I just told them that this was something I had to do and that it would make me over all a better person. I was off of work for 4 weeks 3 days.

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 awful. I don't want to scare anyone but I was not happy there. The nurses tried really hard to keep me comfortable but they were so busy that a lot of times I was forgotten about. I was in the hospital for 4 days but should have been released after 3 days. It was some sort of mix up. I slept most of the time I was there so my suggestion would be to take your own pillow.

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

My surgery went perfectly. The day after surgery my IV became infiltrated and had to be removed. They were unable to get another IV going so I did not have any pain medication and that was very frustrating. I cried when that happened but all in all everything went well.

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 excited when I got my surgery date that I cried. I truly never had any anxiety until they wheeled me to the surgery room. I think that was just nerves.

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

When I got home I made my husband baby me. I took it really easy for about 2 weeks and then only did little things. I had an easier time getting around than most people because my surgery was done laproscopic so I really don't know what to tell people to expect.

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

I traveled about 90 miles for surgery. That was hard with my aftercare because I had a lot of pain for about 2 months after surgery. I was lucky that my family doctor could take care of me for a lot of things.

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.

For about 8 weeks I ate sugar free jello, pudding, mashed potatoes, and protein shakes. I would cheat a little with a cracker here and there but for the most part that's all I ate. It got old really quick but I would throw up if my food was pureed and I couldn't tolerate baby food. After about three months I started trying little things here and there I just made sure I chewed everything very well! Now I can pretty much eat anything. I still drink a lot of water and I stay away from really fatty and sugary foods.

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

I did not do much until about 2 months after surgery. Then I started walking 3 times a week and noticed that my weight loss did even better once I started exercising.

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

I take a multi-vitamin, calcium suppliment, biotin (for hair and nails), B-12, and folic acid.

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?

Nausia was awful. I didn't have any problems with any thing else but I had to take medication for a long time because of the nausia.

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

The worst part for me would have to be the emotional roller coster that I don't think you can ever be prepared for. My only suggestion is to have lots of people to talk to.

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

I do not have an aftercare program. They do offer one at my surgeons office but I live so far away it's really not possible for me to go. I have had the best support through family, friends and this website!

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

I have 6 tiny scars that aren't even that noticable. I was very happy with my scars. But even if he had to open me up I wouldn't really care about the scar just because it doesn't matter. I am 25 years old and I looked a whole lot worse being fat than any scar on my tummy.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I did not plateau until recently. At 6 months post-op I had lost 110 pounds. It has now been 8 months and I have not lost any more weight. It is really ok with me because my goal was to lose 100 pounds so I have actually done better than what I wanted to!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People treat me much differently now. Especially men which upsets me sometimes. I am still the same person I just look different. My husband treats me just the same as he ever did and that is wonderful. My family tells me how beautiful I am but they did that when I was fat too! For the most part it's strangers that look at me differently and I can't say I blame them because I do look a whole lot different.