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

At least 10 years ago a primary doctor had suggested it....I thought he was absolutly crazy! Then about 2-3 years ago I started talking to people that had it done.....then I started to hear about the celebreties that had done it, and looked into it some more. Then my good friend and co-worker had it done 1 1/2 years ago. I watched her everyday, positives and negatives. Went to different post and pre op seminars to know more and find a doc (since my fiend's doc was too far away.)

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

I had absoluty no problems to date. Actually my surgeon's office took care of everything! (I am 2 weeks post-op, so let's see what happens). I cna't believe what an easy time I had, I was one of the lucky ones.

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

Actually quick and not too basic. I had done so much research before I went in, that I did not need for him to start from the beginning and I guess he realized that since I didn't seem to get the whole story like most get. I had specific questions. We chatted about the surgery in general. He looked at my belly. That was it. I got the testing information from his coordinator. Maybe I shouldn't have let on that I know so much because I feel like I may of missed out on something.....but It is always better to be informed, then you can specify your questions. I think the BEST thing I did for myself was to do 3 post-op seminars and 3 pre-op. All from different doctors. Especially the Post op seminars.....I learned the most from them!!!!!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Feeling that I had the positive and negatives, understood what must be done to achieve this. (and with a little push from my co-worker I watched for the last year and seeing and hearing her achieve the things I want.) My bigggest fear was not being able to stop eating, therefore, throwing all the time. Well I had the worst 24 hr stomach flu,,,throw up for at least 8 hours. I was so afraid to eat for a week after that. THEN I realized that I WOULD be able to control the eating. I have been able to do the right thing before....Now that I'm so big, I just need the tool to help me.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Gastric Bypass is the one for me....If I'm going to do it, I want this to be for life. Plus I do not want any "things" put inside me. This procedure is just a realinement of what is naturally in you. As for lap vs. open.....I will hope that I made the decision for Lap as being the right decision. It was a hard one, but I guess not being totally cut open sound good. Now that I'm 2 weeks post-op Lap was the greatest decision. My mobility and healing seems to be on a fast track that most Open's can't even imagine!

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'm still pre-op so my opinion is....I feared stopping the eating....I fear the mal-nuturtion, I fear a surgical mishap! But I am putting aside those fears. If it wasn't for havn't someone in my face for over a year, post-op and doing sooooo well. I may not have been able to put aside my fears. I also feared not living longer if I did not do this surgery.......Now that I am 2 weeks post op, I think this was a good decision.

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?

First reation to MAYBE doing it, friends and family reacted the same....with positve apprehension...I hope that combination of words makes sense. Once I was sure I was going to do it, they were all for it, really supportive! (Mom is the only one who is still worried, but she agrees, that this is a good thing). They all want me to have a good life and if this is the way..............

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

My supervisor is also the supervisor of my co-worker who did it over a year ago and is totally for it. It was easy to tell her and I told her I'm doing what "my co-worker" did....... She was happy. The company is great that they are including it in their short term disability policy. I will get full pay ! How long out ......we'll see. So far I'm two weeks post-op.

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

The stay at the hospital was much better than anticipated! I was there for 4 1/2 days. I felt I was looked after in a very caring and professional manner. toilettries, wooden spoon & baby wipes, baggy pants to go home.

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

They had to go in twice due to a leak. There was nothing I had to deal with. I had a wound infection. The doc cleaned it out in my one week visit. I had to continue cleaning it. No big deal. I think it is better. That was it.

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 got my surgery date a few weeks ago,,,,I was excited! More excited then I thought I'd be (only because I was so apprehensive in the past). When we get closer to the date let's see how that fairs. I'm 2 weeks post-op and I can tell you that I did not feel that much anxiety. I really thought the butterflies in my stomach were going to keep me up at night. It was not like that at all. I can not explain why.

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

Well, the thing I found (but was not aware of) was how much diearre was to come in the first few days. Than a day of normalcy. Then 4 days of nothing. In the fear of constipation, I have started sprinkling Benefiber on my food. I was finally told to expect this absence of "pooing". But I'm still slipping the Benefiber in. Another surprise was how well a lap patient will feel. I realize now that I was talking to mainly "open" RNY patients and they could not move for the first week. I have not had those bad feelings at all. I've been walking (strolling) with not much difficulty. I almost felt something was wrong about being OK until I spoke to some Lap patients. They were "ok" too. Not getting enough liquids, I know that is something everyone spoke of, but until you experience it you don't realize how easy it is to not eat! And how stuffed you can feel. Also, most people told me about their downs, I did not experience any. I think I was too prepared on hearing other people saying how they broke down and cried,that I was so prepared for that - that it never effected me.

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

Over an hour by car. We will see about the aftercare since I am pre-op. I'm 2 weeks post-op. And because my brother and sister-in-law have been my angel like elves, the aftercare has been fine. As for my post op meetings, lets see.......Specifically when I go to work.....I know I will not be able to make the meetings, so I'm trying to find out what else to do.

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.

As a 2 week post -op I probably don't have a whole lot to say, but I have notice that applesauce is REAL sweet. A couple of days after I came home I tried a protein shake....it got stuck for 24 hrs. (I was able to eat inbetween, but not happily). I'm a little afraid to try that shake again right now. But I found Glucerna is thinner and that I can drink that. I also find that chicken soup and yogert are my staples. (pro-cell sprinkled on almost everything). And Water. I'm glad I like water and still do. Everyone also says yours tastes change, I haven't really experienced that yet......let's see.

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

I think good......I walked every day and as of 2 weeks post-op, I'm up to a 25 minute walk (stroll). I do some things around the house, but my Mom does not want me to do too much so she does a lot of stuff around here. I think I'm pretty alert.

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

Liquid multi everyday sublingal B12 everyday tums everyday 1 chewable sugarfree flintstone every other day. At least 2 oz of glucerna almost everyday.

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?

(2 weeks post op). At this time sleep disturbance is the worst. My body want to sleep on my stomach soooooo bad that it wakes me up. How did I cope, shift a little and wait to fall asleep again. Nausia and dumping only happened twice and only the feeling. It was short lived and never really became an issue.

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

Worry about what's to happen - pre surgery. Waiting for the drain to come out - post op.

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

TBD (2 weeks post op right now).

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

2 weeks post-op - I have 4 slits that are healing but a little bumpy. one BIG hole, that is trying to clean an infection. one other hole, seems ok, but a little raggid. Don't know what I really expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None yet (2 weeks post-op)

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I'm sure they will......................let's see (I'm only 2 weeks post-op)