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

My primary care physician informed me of this surgery and thought it would be in my best interest to go for a consult and learn about this weightloss surgery. He thought i would be a candidate and after meeting with the surgeon i was convinced that this was the solution i was looking for after many failed attempts to weightloss on my own. I was open minded and extremely hopeful.

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

My insurance approval went smooth. When i got the news i cried and felt like i had another chance to live.

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

I was not really prepared to meet my surgeon. I should have researched more information and went in with a notepad and questions. I just felt in my gutt that this was my golden opportunity to experience life for the first time.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was so positive that this surgery was going to help me that i was willing to take a gamble.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After speaking with my Dr. and learning the differences between the proceedures it was best for me to have the RNY. I was not strict enough for the lap band.

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 at all. I did write out a living will to be safe. I told my Dr. the day of surgery i have been ready my whole life for this. I went in with a positive attitude and knew my life was headed in a whole new direction. I made it through surgery with no complications. Its odd though because even though i made it through with no complications i still feel like i barried myself.

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 family and friends were very uneasy about this surgery. It was a battle just dealing with them. They would constantly pick at me but when it came closer to my surgery date they didnt really want me to have surgery.

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

My employer was so supportive and gave me no hassle at all. I was out of work for a month. I am greatful to have such a supportive work environment. Even my coworkers were there for me in many different ways.

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

My first night in the hospital was horrible. I work at this hospital and that in itself made it uncomfortable. I cant speak very highly of my hospital stay but i made it through without major complications. I was hospitalized for a week. Make sure you bring comfortable clothing for after surgery. I brought my pillow and my personal care items that i would need. I would bring anything that provides comfort and security.

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

I had a few complications but nothing major to speak of. I was fatigued at first and not well informed of what to expect after i was home but, with the help of members on this website it was like having a big brother/sister to help guide me through my rough patches.

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 overjoyed and anxious. After I was approved and had a set date it was hard for me to believe that there was help and hope out there. Even with written approval and pre-op instructions in my hand it was still hard to believe. I had no fears of having this surgery. I just felt deep down that this was a sure thing for me.

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

The first few weeks for me were challenging to say the least. Learning to eat and drink all over again was difficult. My pain wasnt that bad at all and therefore it kept me moving. I did feel that the world was watching my progress and at times that was awkward. Introducing new foods was interesting considering I had previous knowledge of what certain foods did taste like. Some foods did taste different to me. I walked alot and kept as busy as i could.

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

I didnt travel far at all. My surgeon performed his procedures at a local hospital.

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.

I had no desire to eat anything at all after surgery. I didnt have the urge to drink anything. I felt full with very little amounts of water alone. The first solid food i tried was mashed potatoes and that was 1 week post op. I started to introduce new foods like cream of wheat, poached eggs, sugar free jello, protein shakes, sugar free apple sauce and other things that provided any type of protein that was soft and not to solid. I did try pureed foods about 1 month post op but i didn't care for my food pureed. Meats were very hard for me to consume and i mainly lived off of protein shakes and soups, fruits, cheese and things that primarily didnt need to be pureed. After a year i am able to tolerate many different foods but sweets. I still eat very little amounts but frequently throughout the day.

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

After surgery i was extremely sore for the first week but i still forced myself up and out of bed to keep myself motivated. The more i moved the easier it was to continue healing. I walked and walked and about 2 months post op i attempted to rejoin the gym. My energy level was unbelievable and to be honest it was startling to think that i could exercise without feeling like i was counting the minutes till it was over. I am very active and keep as fit as possible.

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

I take a multivitamin twice a day with and iron pill. I still take somethiing for heartburn but i have always had problems with acid reflux. I dont drink as many protien shakes as i used to but i do take in more protein with actual food insted of a liquid form. I also take a stool softener to keep things regulated.

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 always felt very full after i consumed anything wether it was liquid or food. I always listened to my body and i knew when enough was enough. I think subconsciosly i was extremely afraid of going through a dumping syndrome. I did loose alot of my hair but it wasnt something that i was overly concerned about.

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

I dont feel like i had enough information. I think i was so gung-ho on loosing weight that i didnt keep tract of things i should have paid attention to. I was always unsure of what i should be putting into my diet. I got sick due to the lack of nutrition and i started to loosed my thrive. When i was 4 months post op they handed me a food journal that informed me of what i should be consuming from preop to 1 year post op.

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

A nurse i work with informed me of this website and it became my encyclopedia of information. I was able to relate to other people and i felt like i had a place where i can vent. Support groups were not my cup of tea. I felt like everyones experience was to different and at times it began to feel like the same story week after week.

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

I had laporscopic surgery and it didnt leave any scars that i can see visible.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I didnt hit a plateau until about 1 year post op. I lost my weight very fast and have maintained the same weight. I never really hit a point where i wasnt loosing anything.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I think people treat me extremely different. Its hard to explain but i feel like people in general are different to me.