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

My initial impressions of surgery were all out going for it because I was desperate. I had researched extensively on the internet prior to the original gastric bypass. Many people thought is was the "easy way out", but they just didn't understand.

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

BE PATIENT! The first approval for the original surgery was no problem-it took a week after I got all the initial testing and stuff done. But this second time around, I have been battling both of my insurances (one or the other) for about a good year or more. I get approval by and and the other denies me, and now it's vice versa. I'm to the point where I want to scream, but I am at the final stage where there is nothing left that the insurance company could ask for. They approved me then took it back because they wanted more recent testing done. Well, they got it; now it hurry up and wait for their decision again. Drives me nuts, but I pray a lot.

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

My surgeon, Dr. Juarez, in Phoenix, is very experienced and I trusted him from the very beginning. I wasn't sure about his bedside manner, but he told it like it was and what to expect. Ask a lot of questions and be prepared. Write down your questions. Take notes if you have to, because it will all seem overwhelming.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I knew I wanted to have the surgery done before anyone told me about it, simply from researching it. I just jumped right in, taking that risk. (That's just me-going in blindly with everything and learning from it later!)

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon picked the gastric bypass for the original procedure, however, for the revision, he is opting for the VSG. Only he knows best because I'm sure not a doctor!

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 complete trust in my surgeon and his team. Hospitals and staff nowadays are trained extensively to make sure tragedies like this don't happen, so I don't even sweat it. As far as complications, I did develop neuropathy from the last surgery but that was a small price to pay for the weight that I lost and how much better I felt mentally and physically.

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?

Luckily, I have a very good support system.

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

Does not apply.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

Oh, was I glad! I had so many questions that needed to be answered! Take more notes if you can. My first seminar was 10 years ago, so I really can't remember! Just remember to go to as many support groups as you can to stay on track and support each other!

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

I hated my hospital stay at the time, but expect to walk within the first few hours of recovery. I was there for two days. Make sure to bring a robe because you will get cold from the anesthesia wearing off. Since the VSG, my hospital stay couldn't have been better! Ladies, bring pads, because you WILL need them after the surgery because of the changes your body experiences.

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

I have dealing with my neuropathy for 9 years now. It started out of nowhere. I did read that it could be a complication of the surgery. It has been tough some days, but I got of the right medications to control it and I've been fine.

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

The most anxiety that I felt is the fact that I have liquid and pureed foods and everyone else had FOOD on there plates. I just remembered that NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS THIN FEELS!

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

Tell them to be patient while you adjust to your measuring and blending and vitamins and stuff. Tell them not to expect you to eat normal consistency food for awhile and to be supportive of your journey.

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

Luckily, I was in the same town, but I moved out of state soon after. I didn't go to any support group after that and I think that hindered me a great deal.

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.

No red meat. No BBQ sauce. No fried or fatty foods obviously. Scrambled eggs were great! It hard to remember from 10 years ago. I'll update this after the DS.

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

Very active. Walking around town EVERYWHERE because I had no car!

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

Multis, iron, calcium, potassium, B-12, E, Fish Oil

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 the dumping for a little over a year I think. Then I got smart and finally learned to stop eating what was making me dump in the first place. I started losing my hair and got really upset over it. I tried Nioxin shampoo to make it stay in. It only worked minimally, so don't waste your money. I now just accept the fact that my hair will do what it will do.

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

I had an open surgery, so the first month of healing was the worst. The scar itself is not what bugs me, it was whenever I tried to move that I felt like I was going to rip the sutures apart. You have to be very careful. Sometimes the surgeon has to do the procedure open, like mine did. It depends on your body structure and the amount of flab around your abdomen.

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

Right now, I don't have one. But you HAVE TO GO. THIS IS CRUCIAL TO YOUR RECOVERY!!!!!

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

7 inches right down the middle

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Many, many many...just get back on track and use your tool.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

The people who are most supportive will not treat you any differently, I promise