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

I first heard about WLS from a relative of a friend about 5 years ago. She was very happy with hers. I just kept telling myself that all I needed to do was eat less and move more. So 5 years later I am 30 pounds heavier and seriously considering this as an option.

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

My experience was great! The doctor sent my information to BC and I called to make sure it arrived. It didn't so I got a fax number and called the doctor who sent it again right away. I called a week later and BC hadn't sent the file on to the next department so the lady I spoke with forwarded it. A week later I called about the status and it was approved.

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

I had met Dr. McCarty at his seminar but was anxious to meet with him individually. My husband went with me. We had a list of questions prepared and he answered all of them. He did not try to rush us and I think that is important.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had tried just about every other option available to me. I was unable to use the new prescription medicines because of interactions with medicines I already take. My energy level was getting worse and any physical activity was out of the question. It was time to do something different.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

First I did a lot of research online. Then I spoke with the doctor about my personal habits and such. I had already decided on RNY because it seemed the best for me. He helped me decide on lap instead of open based on his experience with the procedures.

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?

I was more afraid of complications than death. I had decided that life wasn't worth living in my condition and my only concern was for my friends and family. Each person has to come to terms with what is an acceptable risk for them. I had been dealing with this issue for so long that any risk was basically acceptable.

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 have been very supportive. Everyone has watched me deal with the weight issue all my life. They did everything they could to be helpful.

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

I had just started a new job two months before. I told them about the surgery and that I expected to be out for 2 weeks. They fixed me up with computer access at home and I kept in touch. I ended up missing about 3 weeks of work and they were getting very impatient for me to return. I understand their need for someone to be at work but if it had been any other illness I don't think they would have tried to rush me to return.

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

I was in the hospital 2 nights. Everyone was great...the nurses were very supportive. The first day and night I spent in recovery and didn't need anything. The second day all I needed was my glasses...I was in bed and all I did was sleep and watch TV. The third day I was walking around and was glad to have a prepaid phone card...I called everyone because I was getting stir-crazy.

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

I did loose a lot of blood. The doctor first told me about it the next morning. They monitored my blood count and told me that if it continued to go down I would need a transfusion and exploratory surgery to see what was leaking. Luckily the count stabilized and none of that was necessary. I went home on the third day with instructions to take my vitamins with iron religiously.

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 anxious but very excited. I tried to keep busy doing the things I thought I wouldn't be able to do after surgery like lifting. I cleaned house and got ready to be an invalid but found out after surgery that of course lifting is not okay but moving around is not a real problem and definitely encouraged as soon as possible.

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

I slept alot the first week. Moving was uncomfortable but not painful. I did have trouble standing for long periods of time. I would encourage anyone who plans to shower to have a place to sit if you need it during the first week or so.

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

Just a few miles. The doctor is located here in town.

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 week I stayed on liquids. I had gotten some protein supplement prior to surgery and added to milk that week. I also had fruit juice and sugar-free popscicles. After seeing the doctor a week later I branched to semi-solid foods like scrambled eggs, oatmeal, etc. Very soon I was eating a pretty normal diet. I tried lowfat yogurt and it made me dump so I'm staying away from that for now. I'm eating just about everything except for sugar and high fat foods.

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

Because of the blood loss I haven't been able to get up enough energy to do much yet. I plan to start a walking program in the next week.

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

I take 2 children's chewable vitamins with iron daily. I am also taking vitamin B12 once a month to help with energy level.

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 have always had trouble with sleep and getting my routine out of whack during the recovery process has been the worst. I am still working on getting back into a routine a month after surgery.

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

Actually the worst part was the waiting. First for the insurance approval then for the surgery date to get here. Looking back it doesn't seem that long ago but at the time it seemed like time was dragging.

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

My doctor has a support group that meets monthly. It's a great group. The surgeon's office lines up a speaker each month and we have time afterwards to talk about our experiences. I find this support to be invaluable. I'm also a member of several online support groups. They help a lot with the day to day questions.

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

I have 6 small scars about 1 inch in length each. They have faded considerably since the time right after surgery. They are still a bit red but I expect that to go away with time. My scars from previous lap surgery are pretty much invisible.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have only had one plateau but it lasted about a month. It is depressing to get on the scale each morning and see no change but I have to remember that my body needs time to recover from the very rapid weight loss it has experienced. Knowing that it's too early for the loss to stop does help me to keep my sanity when I'm doing all the right things and the scale doesn't budge.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet. I can see the difference in my face and my clothes but am not that much thinner yet. I expect that as I become thinner people will not see me as a fat person like they do now.