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

My PCP and I was shocked she had even suggested it.

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

Terribly long experience. Get all your "i's" dotted and cross all your "t's" before submitting any paperwork, and double check everything on the requirements listing.

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

Nervous. Write down your questions and don't be afraid to ask them all!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Sick of being uncomfortab le.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Easy. I did NOT want to go back for band adjustments so RNY was my easy decision.

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?

Only fear was not having it.

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 did not understand why I'd take such a drastic step.

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

Out for 5 weeks and told everyone the truth.

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

9 days of uncontrollable diarrhea due to a lethargic illeium and many trips to the shower each of the 9 days left me very weak. Felt terrible for the n urses always changing my bed and helping with my showering.

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

No complications other than the surgeon finding a lethargic illieum that he had to deal with before the Roux N Y surgeery.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

Anxiously waiting and counting down the minutes. Dealt with this by telling myself it would be life altering and positive.

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

Wonderful. Felt much better after the potassium ended.

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

2 hours one way. Did not affect my aftercare and did not mind the long ride home, bumps did not bother 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.

Cheese was the big "nausea" causing food and now I can eat it fine.

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

Medium level activity but lately, High level, walking miles per day and feeling grrrrrrrrrrreat !

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

Potassium, Magnesium, B-12, Borage Oil, Multi Vitamin, Trinsicon, 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?

Hair loss at 5 months out, vomiting from months 2 - 5 due to eating too fast, diarrhea first 6 weeks and having to supplement with potassium.

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

Taking potassium both by mouth and IV continually. Nothing tastes worse.

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

Post Op Support Group meetings and follow ups with dietician and bariatric nurse. Also, keep in touch with others through Bulletin Board. VERY important to stay on track.

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

8" long from mid breastline to navel (had OPEN RNY). Expected and is fine.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Several, lasting many weeks but subside when I do plenty of exercise. It seems to boost the weight loss into gear when I over exercise.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, opening doors, smiling, asking my opinion, etc. It's as if I'm now a "person" and not someone to be ignored.