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

I first found out about the lap band surgery, it sounded relatively simple, done laparoscopic and the band being filled or loosened as needed. Then I heard how sometimes people whom had the surgery that had severe vomiting when food got stuck above the band. After further investigation and conversation with my physician I decided to have the roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery done laparoscopic. I actually was on preparation for the surgery for 15 months and got plenty of information to make the right choice for me.

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

Getting insurance approval for surgery was difficult as I needed my sleep apnea study, internal physician's approval, all the weight loss attempts I used, all methods and when, and the results of them. I also needed a psychiatrist approval (which was expensive, even with insurance). This took months of appointments and evaluations, the minimum of 6 months. My advice is hang in there, place one foot in front of the other and trust your surgeon's staff to help you get what you need done.

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

I met my surgeon at an informational seminar at his office, then made an appointment with him. My first appointment was even more informative than his seminar as it was one on one. My husband attended with me and asked questions as well.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had made my decision to finally have surgery when I was dependent upon my c-pap machine to sleep well, couldn't walk to and from my car without being short of breath at work, and work itself was difficult to keep up with for a 12 hour day.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon helped me decide which procedure would best benefit me and my lifestyle. I was given the worst and best case scenarios of all surgeries. I actually wanted the gastric sleeve and my insurance company would not cover it.

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 many fears, my surgeon was from the excellence group and his specialty was the bariatric surgery. I had met many of his patients (I work at the hospital he works at), their post op recovery was good.

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?

All of my family and close friends have been supportive. They have known how the excess weight impaired me physically and energy wise. They are very supportive after surgery as well and continue to encourage me and praise my success.

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

My supervisor was very supportive with my decision, I was out of work for 6 weeks.

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

I attended 2 weight loss seminars because I changed insurance plans 9 months after starting with one weight loss clinic. The second seminar was given by my surgeon, whom did my surgery. He was with my current insurance plan. I was glad I attended both seminars, it is good to get a second opinion.

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

My stay in the hospital was received well. My pain was taken care of, a nutritionist came and spoke with me and gave me written information on what to eat at home postop. I brought a pair of pj's to be comfortable in, to walk the halls in, slippers, toiletries.

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

I did not have any complications. My surgeon found a GIST tumor when he did my surgery and removed it. It was benign and had no effect on my recovery at all.

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 excited to get the surgery over with and begin my new life. I coped by relaxing or reading, or playing games on the computer.

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

i had a lot of pain and my pain medication was a liquid so I took it as prescribed when I had pain. I needed to take it mostly during the day when I attempted new foods. I had a lot of loss of energy and slept a lot, took frequent naps. My husband was very helpful to wake me just to drink more water or a protein shake if I was sleeping too much and not drinking enough. I slept less and less as the weeks went by.The first week was difficult to drink enough liquids, I kept sipping and sipping as much as I could.

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

I live 5 miles from my hospital, not a problem traveling.

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.

First week of liquids were hard for me, I liked the popscikles (sugar free), mostly water is what I drank because I didn't like anything else. Then I had cottage cheese and applesauce which got old after the second week. The third week I was able to get all my water in easily and eat soft veggies or fruit chewed up well with my protein drinks. My portions were and are way smaller. I have been throwing away a lot of food I can't finish. I tried scrambled eggs my second week and wasn't able to tolerate them, still can't. I eat poached eggs now without any trouble with my surgeon's advice. I have been eating soft foods since my third week without any problems, especially white fish or tilapia. I am on my third month and am eating raw carrots (which I love), I just can't eat many (like 4 baby carrots at a sitting), I eat hummos for my carrot dip.

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

My first week I slept almost 20 hours out of 24, but as the weeks went on I increased my energy level and was up walking around the house and awake 8 hours the second week and now over 16 hours or at least 16 a day. I am at my third month and am doing regular house work, laundry, working 3 -12 hour shifts at work and yard work. My energy is much improved, it increased each week. I think I felt normal after my 6th week. I still feel tired sometimes and just nap to rejuvinate.

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

I use unjury protein drinks and take their vitamens. Opurity multivitamin,Opurity calcium citrate plus, and Opurity vitamin D3. Each one once 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?

I had severe nausea for hours the first and second week postop with vomiting up the food that was stuck. It only happened to me 3 different times. I coped by just waiting for the food to be expelled, then I was more aware of eating slowly and not eating the food I threw up. And not eating so much, throwing away food instead of finishing the plate of food.

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

The first week was the worst for me, not being able to eat, even drinking was difficult, painful, feeling so tired I couldn't stay awake.

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

I just went to my first support group this month, I missed last month due to my e-mail spam, I fixed that so I get my e-mails now. I had a very positive time at the support group, we reinforced information we knew and shared some with others. It was very encouraging to be with people in the same circumstances.

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

I have 5 small laparoscopic sites, much less than I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

After my 2nd month I had lost 35 lbs, then it took 6 weeks to lose 4 more. I have been up and down a pound or so for 2 weeks. Also I've been having much more constipation during this time. I had used laxatives and an enema, so far I am still not on a regular schedule yet but am having less constipation this week.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I get encouragement from my coworkers and compliments on how I look. Most people say I look better in my face.