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

I researched for about a year before starting to interview surgeons. I was skeptical and nervous. I didn't understand the post op diet. I went to several of the pre op and admissions seminars. I used the internet, talked to others that had the procedure. I WAS one of those who thought surgery was the easy way out. Not true at all. The surgery is beneficial for weight and overall health.

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

mine was extremely easy. It was submitted and 8 days later approved. No appeals, no problems.

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

Dr.Fontana is wonderful. We met the first time at an informational session as a group. I wrote down several questions prior to arriving. Most were answered at this session, and the rest were answered when I interviewed him at the office

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

High blood pressure, high cholesterol, severe acid reflux, and pre-diabetes, and the weight. I decided on LIFE not FOOD. My son just got married and I realized that without the surgery I may not be around for my grandchildren.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

health benefits of RNY. No pills for acid reflux, high B.P., and high cholesterol. A savings of $110 per month just in prescription co-pays

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 put my life in God's hands. I feared the dumping syndrome and I still do. It's awful

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?

most of my family does not know. I guess they will find out when I fly out to see them in a couple months. My g/f was scared. Now she wants to eat healthy too. My husband is my best friend and my major supporter. We are working through this together.

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

no problems. Hubby and I own our own business. My travel agency business that I do part time was so incredibly supportive. I was out of work for 1 1/2 weeks.

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

What a wonderful stay I had at Norfolk General Hospital. I went in Wednesday July 8,2009 at 6 am. I was discharged about Noon on Friday. aaah the morphine..... Bring your own pillow, a little piece of home. Cell phone and charger, toothbrush and paste. Bring some comfy jammies to go home in. I just arrived to the hospital in mine and then wore them home.

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

No problems 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?

clean out the garbage food from the cabinets. Arrange the clothes in your closet by size. We all have some we got to big for. I asked alot of questions on several websites. Joined a few yahoo groups in my area. Went to every pre op meeting I could find.

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

I felt almost TOO normal, until the split pea soup. OMG, dumping for 11 hours was pure agony. After that fine. Soft foods are great. Plan a week's worth of meals. Easy since a weeks worth used to be one serving for me...ha ha ha. Walking helps with the gas. Make sure you have the softest toilet tissue available. Moist baby wipes are handy too.

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

Hospital was about eight miles from my house. Easy commute, well worth it. This hospital, Sentara Norfolk General, was amazing.

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.

OMG, no more split pea soup for me. My experience was horrible, and I love that soup. Well, I used to. Still only 2 weeks out, so still discovering my food choices. Turkey burgers too dry and dumped on them too.

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

medium. I walked about 1/2 mile a day in the beginning. And now working on the treadmill at the gym at a bit faster pace. Thats all I can do until 1 month check up.

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

Iron, Calcium Citrate, Multivitamin, Vitamin B

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?

sleeping was rough the first week. I slept alot on my reclining sofa. Laying on the bed kinda hurt. A little bit of hair loss. After 1 1/2 weeks I was much better. Only dumped 2 times so far, turkey burger and split pea soup.

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

D U M P I N G, V O M I T I N G. and not being able to use my hot tub for a month

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

Sentara has meetings once a month. We all connect online daily, which really helps. My husband/best friend is my biggest supporter. We are both eating healthy and he is losing weight too.

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

5 small incisions. Mine was Lap RNY. Exactly what I expected. Healing nicely.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none. I am only 2 weeks post op

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes. FAT people do not get treated as nicely...discrimination is a definate here