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

I don't remember how I first heard about it. I had a vague notion of it for years and was sort of considering it until one of my MDs suggested it to me. I hadn't realized that you usually won't lose all your excess weight, or that your intestines become more efficient at absorbing calories within 6 month to 1 year - so you have to make all your time early on really count! I though it would hurt a lot - but it didn't and I was up and walking that night in the hospital, with a morphine drip.

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

This question doesn't apply because I live in Ontario, Canada, and the government health care plan we all share pays for gastric bypasses.

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

It was 15 minutes before I was lead to the OR table - I met his colleague before. Make sure to write down a list of your questions before you see the surgeon. Hand him the list - write down his answers, if you have to.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When my MD asked me if I'd considered it.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The surgeon decided it for me. In Ontario, you have a Roux en Y gastric bypass unless for some medical reason you need a sleeve.

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, other than that of post-op pain. But it's normal to have fears of dying, even though that possibility is almost zero.

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?

They were very afraid before I had the RNY done, however, afterwards they were mainly very supportive.

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

n/a

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

There were about 12 people. Some were my size, some were smaller, and some were bigger - and they had large chairs, so I felt comfortable. I was glad I went because I learned information and the seminar set the ball rolling for the other tests and seminar and interviews I attended.

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

It was like a stay in the hospital - LOL - I had a semi-private room, but no one ever occupied the other bed. I was there 2 nights. For me, the most important things to bring were my CPAP machine, a list of my friends' and families' phone numbers (amazing what you forget on the meds you get), and slippers with good tread. I also enjoyed having a phone and the TV beside my bed although I was so out of it, I barely used them.

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

I developed orthostatic hypotension about 5 months after surgery, but it usually resolves in a few months without treatment.

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 thrilled, yet anxious too. I concentrated on keeping my sights on the goal and getting through the Optifast, and staying healthy. I spoke with the anesthetist and got 2 Xanax right before surgery.

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

I got stronger and stronger. I walked faster and farther. I quit taking any pain killers the 4th day I got home. It really didn't hurt! A raised toilet seat was a Godsend at first.

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

I traveled about 35 km - it didn't affect my aftercare.

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

I could walk about 10 minutes when I got home fro the hospital, but I was slower than before and if I walked more than 25 minutes/day for the first 2 weeks, I got a mild side pain.

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

Bariatric Advantage multivitamin chewables - 3/day B12 - 1,000mcg every 2nd day Iron - 20 mg of elemental iron, once a day Calcium Ciitrate - 300mg, 2 pills, three times a day along with 3 1,000 IUs of Vitamin D.

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?

After the surgery, when I'd recovered from the operation and was no longer taking Percocet, I would wake up 3 or 4 times a night because my new GI tract wasn't absorbing my sleeping pills properly. I went to my MD, and was prescribed a higher dose, now I wake up once a night, which I can handle. I've never dumped - maybe because I've never 'pushed it', and vomited twice - once because I didn't puree some chicken properly, and the other time because I wolfed down some meat loaf too quickly without chewing enough. I only had nausea those two times I vomited. My hair is a little thinner, and it was thin to begin with, but it's not noticeable to anyone else.

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

Drinking nothing but the 4 Optifast shakes and 10 calorie clear broth and decaf coffee and tea for three weeks prior to the surgery.

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

I go to the mandated appointments in the hospital and I have joined a support group as well as using OH.

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

I have 5 very small scars scattered across my abdomen, just as I was told I would have.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

After 2-3 weeks, I stalled and didn't lose a pound, I even gain 3, for 3 whole weeks.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I have noticed that no one seems to stare at me in public now.