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

A friend of mine told me her fiance had the surgery about 3 or 4 years previous and lost 120lbs. and was very happy. I didn't hesitate to make an appointment with the same doctor. As soon as I spoke with the doctor, I had him schedule the surgery for me. I couldn't keep going on the way I was.

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

My insurance approved it right away. I was very please with the way they handled everything. I was approved within 10 days of the initial office visit.

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

Dr. Schmidt sat down with me and asked me questions regarding my eating habits as well as what I eat the most. I was weighed and my height was measured for my BMI. I asked him questions regarding complications as well as what I should expect in weight loss and re-gain.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I couldn't stand to look at myself in the mirror anymore. I was tired of buying "big girl" clothes. I was extremely uncomfortable sitting in an airplane seat. I was tired of the stares and comments from people I didn't know as well as people I knew and loved. I wanted to feel better both physically as well as mentally about myself and I wanted to get healthy. My joints were starting really ache and I was always tired. There is a history of heart disease and diabetes in my family and I didn't want to develop either of these at a young age. This was my 35th birthday gift to myself.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The doctor explained to me which procedure were for what eating problems. Since I was the carb addict, the best for me would be the lap RNY.

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 didn't have fears about dying from the surgery as much as I had fears about dying from heart disease in my forties. I feared I would have complications were I wouldn't be able to eat at all or that I would be able to eat too much and wouldn't lose any weight. To date six months and 80 pounds later. I am doing great.

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 husband didn't want me to get the surgery because I think he was afraid I would lose the weight and leave him. Not true. My parents were all for it. They knew all the problems I have had with diets, since I have been 10, I have been dieting without any luck. My sisters were skeptical and concerned.

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

I have the best boss in the world. He and my co-workers were extremely supportive of my decision. I was out of work for two weeks (this is after only working in the company for 8 months).

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

My hospital stay was fine. I had to wait in the Recovery Room for 6 hours until they found a room for me. I was there for 2 days. The nurses were very good and the nurses aids were terrific.

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

I had a stricture about two weeks after the surgery. I wasn't able to eat or drink anything without vomiting it up. I had two endoscopy procedures to dilate the opening and have been fine ever since.

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 in some pain for about 2-3 weeks after the surgery. The stricture is what upset me the most. I was thinking "why did I do this to myself". But once that was resolved I was OK. I was so afraid they were going to have to reverse it back.

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

Great discomfort on the left side where your stomach is (or was). You want to sleep alot for about the first 3-5 days. Your abdomen is swollen and distended. I got bored with liquids by the end of the 5th day.

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

Not far at all. Within 5 miles of my house.

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 the first few months I didn't tolerate dairy products well. I didn't do well with eggs either until about 4 months. Greasy things like hamburger meat, sausage and bacon are still not tolerated well with me. But that's ok I don't miss them.

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

My activity was minimal the first week. After that, I could do laundry and light cleaning. It was hard to bend at the waist for about 2 weeks. After that, full steam ahead.

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

I take a chewable multi-vitamin and 2 chewable calcium tablets a day.

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?

Vomiting and dumping are the two worst things for me. In the beginning you learn by trial and error what things you can and can not eat very quickly. It doesn't take much for me to know if I can tolerate that food/drink or not. It will just come back up within a minute or two of consuming it. If I eat too much of a sweet thing, that dumping is the worst with the sweats and stomach cramps and diarrhea.

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

Getting up out of bed from a flat position was painful. Removal of the drain was not picnic either (no pun intended).

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

I haven't been to a support group.

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

Scaring is minimal. Compared to some of the stretch marks I have.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

In the 5th month I had a plateau and I am experiencing one now. You just ride thru it. I will end soon. I have to exercise more.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Absolutely people treat me differently. They look at me differently, like a person, not a fat unattractive person. It is amazing and sad at the same time, that people do judge you by what you look like and not by who you are.