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

I watched a special on tv regarding gastric bypass surgery. I was amazed at the results people were receiving. The first thing I heard over and over were the risks.... even though there were risks it still seemed to be a wonderful tool in aiding those who desperately needed to lose weight.

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

My insurance experience was a painless one. I was approved after 3 days. I followed up behind the surgeons office, making sure all paperwork got where it needed to be in a timely manner, this helped the process.

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

I went in armed with a list of questions for her. She knew right off the bat that I was well informed and I think she liked that. She was very down to earth and didn't have the "God Syndrome" that so many other surgeons seem to have. I could relate to her, a mother of 2 and a soccer mom! I liked her right off.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had the full support of my husband, co-workers, family and friends so I was very confident that this would enhance my life. This would help extend the length of my life and assure better health.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I researched the lap band and open rny. I knew several people who had open rny and several who had lap rny. I wanted open, I wanted my surgeon to see all my parts, to fully see everything she'd have to deal with and to be able to do it with her naked eye, not through a scope where something might be missed.

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 had no fears of complications but I did have fears of death. I wondered what would happen if I didn't make it, what would happen with my children. I put all my fears in Gods hands. He took my fears away and I found peace in my decisions. My advice, take it to God. If it's meant to be, it'll work out and you'll know it in your heart.

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 mother in law was very afraid for my life. Everyone else was great, very supportive and although my mother in law was/is supportive and now very proud of me, she still feared that I wouldn't make it. I think some people, especially older people who aren't informed about gastric bypass are more afraid, they've heard the horror stories and the way stomach stapling used to be so they still fear this.

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

I was off work for 6 weeks. I was out of leave so I borrowed. My supervisor is very supportive and did all she could to get leave approved so I'd be paid while I was off.

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 for a total of 4 days and it was uneventful. When I was pre-op waiting to go into surgery the nurse put Fenergen in my IV, it knocked me out. I don't remember anything til I woke up after surgery. My back hurt really bad, I wish I had taken my heating pad!

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

I developed a UTI but that was the only thing. Doc gave me some antibiotics for 7 days... all gone!

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 nervous but I made lists of the stuff I Needed/wanted to get done before my surgery. I knew after surgery I wouldn't feel like doing much for a few weeks so I tried to get it all done beforehand. I wrote letters to my close family and friends just in case I didn't make it.

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

For the first 4 weeks, I was sore as hell and exhausted... I slept a lot... after that I was full of energy and going strong all day long.

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

Across town, just 15 minutes or so.

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.

Eggs have been hard for me to handle. They seem to stick in my throat.. the same is true with chicken.

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

The first 4 weeks, very little activity at all... then very busy, very active!

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

I take Strongstart pre-natals and 1000 mg of calcium

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?

No real side effects. I do get slightly constipated but I eat something with sorbitol and that clears up.

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

The pain I felt when I first opened my eyes.

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

I go to monthly support group meetings for BTC patients. I also belong to a group comprised of Spotlight readers from Ohio. It's been important to me to have these people to rely on and gained experience from.

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

6 inches long and very faint, even after 2 months. Looks great!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Right before my period I gain a few pounds and they stay with me til after my period is over. I seem to hit small plateaus every once in awhile but increasing water and exercise seem to push that along.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, they're nicer!