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

I remember 30 yrs ago, at one of my jobs, a co worker had bariatric surgery, this was an open procedure back then, and thinking, wow, I'd love to do that, but it was a fleeting thought. I've been overweight 75% of my 48yrs, up and down, so this year, when a few co workers were having the procedure I was able to ask more questions and understand the whole procedure before making my mind up on joining the pre op program

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

My program, so supportive and helpful. They did all the interaction with my insurance company, all I had to do was provide a letter of support from my primary care physician.

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

Have questions ready, write them down, take that list with you, and a pen to write the answers. I am blessed with being in a program that is going to be a lifelong friend. They are with me 24/7. If I have a question or concern, all I have to do is call or email them and will have a response that same day. My dr will call me personally.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Seeing the results of my co workers and knowing that I could talk to them about any issues. Also, knowing that my program is available to me for the rest of my life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I had three choices, the band, rny or sleeve. I remember in one support group meeting our leader stating that it was easier to cheat with the band and sleeve and knowing me, I will cheat, so I chose the RNY procedure. I need strictness.

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, I left it all in God's loving hands. He put a path in front of me, that I chose and if something wasn't right about it, I would have been shown.

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?

All of my family supported my decision, my Mom told me she was proud of me, which really means a lot to me. The rest of my family, have been soooo supportive and are continuously wanting to know how much I've lost, my goals, want to see monthly photos, ect.... My friends, also have been supportive. A few said I didn't need to have surgery, but if it was what I chose to do, it wasn't going to have any affect on our friendship. I had only a few friends who were scared. I told them I wasn't going into my decision blind. My decision to undergo surgery, was mine and mine alone.

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 and still is so very supportive. My CEO and HR director are both WLS patients, so I have them to confide in, ask questions, etc.... I was out of work for 3 wks. I had no major issues post op.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

I attended my seminar in January 2010. One of the three surgeons in the group hosts the weekly seminars. Each procedure was gone over thoroughly. The question and answer was an open floor and all questions were answered, there was no time limit. There were all types of folks there, both pre op and post op. To have post op folks there was great, to let us know their successes, issues, support group information, of physician/program support, etc....

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

I was in the hosptital for 3 days. My stay was great. I had fun with the staff, they were there for me, when I needed them. I knew I needed to do everything that they instructed me to do. Bring a robe, even though the gowns are big enough, to walk down the halls, you need to cover up. I needed a back scratcher, the pain meds gave me the itchies.

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

I had no complications

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 so excited, didn't have any anxiety. I had to change my original surgery day, which kind of took the wind out of my sail, but in the long run, it was worth the extra wait.

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

My first week home, I took it easy. I did go out daily, not for long periods of time, but part of my program is to walk, walk, walk. It was such a hot summer here, that if I would have walked outside, I would have been in trouble, so what was a girl to do? SHOP! I was driving the day after I got home, so I could go to the mall, to the grocery store, to the thrift store, etc... My body told me when I was getting tired, so I listened.

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

My dr and hospital are local.

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.

Off limit foods: no flours, no beef or pork, no milk, no legumes. The first week home consisted of clear liquids, with protien powder suppliments added. Second week, same as first, adding low carb, protein shakes. Third week, soft blended foods. Fourth week, added to the 1st and 2nd, chicken, fish, turkey. I have since then added green beans, carrots, pickled beets, asparagus. When I get to 3mos post op, I'll be adding dark salad greens (can't wait for that first salad!) and a host of other veggies. I won't eat red meat or pork until I'm at least 6month post op and at the ok of my physician.

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

My activity level has increased.

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

Calcium, 1 a day, iron (per my dr), vit 3, b-12 (monthly injection.

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?

So far, I have had no side effects.

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

Knowing that I have to have 60-80 grams of protien a day, can get tough. Having no appetite whatsoever can be challenging when trying to get this much daily protien in. I have carbmaster yogurt for breakfast, a 30 gr protein drink for lunch and a meal for supper, some days I swap the lunch and dinner schedule. I know I have to get the daily requirements in and am able to work a program for me to make sure I get the protein. There is, what I call, a 'brain funk', that I experienced for a few weeks, that I don't remember being told about. It's just part of the process and will pass. It's just a blah feeling, but it has gotten much better. I talked to my dr about it and he said it's very normal.

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

The aftercare support groups are available to me daily and many different locations in and surrounding the Nashville area. There is even a group held at my place of employment, we have several people who have had procedures or who are in the process. Since I have co workers who have worked the same program, they are always there for me during work hours.

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

I have 6 small lap cuts (less than an inch each), they were numbered when I came out of surgery, my family had fun talking about 'playing connect the dots!' I do remember in recovery, looking down my gown, to see if they had to open me up, I was hoping they didn't have to and thankfully they didn't.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I'm almost 3 months post op, when I was at 2 months, I stayed at a 25lb loss for a few weeks, was a bit discouraging, but I knew it wouldn't last forever.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I haven't noticed anything different about the way I'm treated. But then again, I can talk to a fencepost.