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

I researched the surgery on this site in 2006 and I knew it was the thing for me to do!

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

I have BCBS of AL. They require a 6 month doctor supervised diet and several other things. All I can say for this stage is BE PATIENT!! If you have a good doctor they will do most of the dealing with the insurance company. My doctor's office KNEW what they were doing! They had everything in order and I was approved 3 days after the ins. company received the package.

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

The first visit with my surgeon was rushed. He took a before picture of me and discussed the surgery, how it is done, and the complications and benefits. I didn't have a whole lot of questions for him b/c I researched on this site so much!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The fact that I was 28 years old and had knee problems, other joint pain, borderline diabetic, had severe sleep apnea, and overall I was not a happy person. I wanted my life back!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I knew I wanted RNY from the beginning. It seemed like the most effective route to take.

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.

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 mom was scared, but overall she was happy. And the rest of my family cheered me on! After the surgery they all came to see me and have been very supportive through the whole thing.

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

My employer told me to do what I felt I needed to do. They were very understanding. I was only out of work for 2 weeks.

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

The hospital stay was okay. The beds were comfortable and the staff was very nice. I was in the hospital for 5 days. I would say the most important things to bring are toiletries, shoes with rubber on the soles (for walking), and chapstick.

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

I had no complications from the surgery.

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 elated! I counted the days until surgery. My husband left me when I had only 3 weeks until surgery so coping with that anxiety actually made the surgery more important and something I looked forward to rather than stress over.

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

I had some abdominal pain and gas, but other than that I had no pain. Getting used to eating and taking my vitamins was the big thing. I was a water drinker before so I didn't have a problem with that.

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

I traveled to Pensacola, FL which is about an hour from my house. That's why I stayed in the hospital longer than he normally would have held me.

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 was on soft foods for 6 weeks after surgery and after that I was free to try anything. I haven't tried anything yet that I can't tolerate.

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

A few weeks after surgery I felt like I could sleep standing up, but as time passed my energy came back and now almost 12 weeks out I feel normal (actually better than normal).

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

I take 2 multi-vitamins, 4 calcium citrate, 2 actigall, and 2 pepcid ac per 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've had a little hair loss, but it's not so much now. That's the only side effect I've had

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

The gas pains right after surgery.

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

I don't go to a support group.

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

My scars are getting dark, but they are small. I didn't know what to expect my scars to look like.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I've had a couple of plateaus so far. One lasted for a week and I'm on right now...I haven't lost any weight in a week.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I notice men looking at me again.