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

I had some friends that I worked with that had the surgery and they just couldn't say enough good about it.

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

Follow the program. Document everything, keep all your appointments.

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

Dr. Throop was very professional, but had a great bedside manner and made the time to answer all my questions. It helps to take a "significant other" with you to ask questions you might forget to ask.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Not being able to breathe, pain in the lower extremity joints, high blood pressure, borderline diabetic.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I researched the options available to me here locally and picked RNY due to my Lupus, which disqualified me for the LapBand.

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 really have any fears -- unless it would be of failing. My pulmonologist was actually more concerned about the affects of the anesthesia on me with severe COPD than I was.

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 son was VERY supportive because he's lived with me and knew the health issues I've been fighting. After discussing the pros and cons of the surgery -- and the comordities that having the surgery would resolve, he also felt like my having the surgery was the lesser of the two risks and would improve my overall quality of life.

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

My boss was very supportive. I work from home, so I was only off work two days. I had surgery on Thursday, came home on Saturday and was doing my weekly reports on Sunday and back to a full work schedule on Monday

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

It was comfortable. I wasn't real happy with the ICU staff, as they had no idea how to care for a bariatric patient. I was actually telling them what I could have and not have. Once I got to the surgery ward, I had no complaints about the nursing staff whatsoever.

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

None

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 can't say that I ever experienced any anxiety. I was way past ready to have the surgery and was counting down the days. I spent the days and weeks ahead of time sampling protein drinks and shakes and stocking up on what I would need when I got home post op.

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

Mild to moderate soreness from the incisions and a bloated gassy feeling the first 3-4 days. Once the gas starts moving out, you feel so much better.

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

I live just about a mile and a half from the 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 haven't found anything yet that I couldn't tolerate. My tastes have changed to the point that some things I like pre op no longer taste the same way, but no actual food intolerances.

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

Pretty normal. I was back at the gym on the NuStep and treadmill 5 days post op. Back in the water for my water aerobics class at 2 1/2 weeks post op. The sooner you get back into your normal routine, the better.

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

Vitamin D3, chewable multivitamin, B-12, Calcium Citrate and Biotin

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?

The only side affect was my sleep pattern. It took me about 2 weeks to be able to sleep a full night after being woke up every 2 hours in the hospital.

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

Second guessing myself and wondering if I would be successful.

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

The bariatric center has monthly support group meetings. Also, some of us in the area that have met on OH get together for more personal support and to share our stories with each other.

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

They're already pretty faint. You probably couldn't even see them unless you were looking for them.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really -- other than that they notice that I'm losing weight and compliment me on the way I'm looking. They encourage me with their compliments.