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

I am a physician assistant so I learned about it while I was a student and never thought I would need it one day myself.

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

My surgeon's office did everything. I provided him with a detailed weight history and they took it from there.

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

It was great. He answered my questions and told me I was a good candidate. He put my mind at ease. Just ask many questions and pay close attention when he says work on changing NOW do not wait it is hard post-op.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Being sick and tired of being sick and tired. Everytime I would lose weight and gain it back would break my heart. I couldn't do it anymore. I live near Boston and I take the T so I was sick of the way people treat you and look at you when you are trying to squeez your way in during rush hour. I was scared to death to get diabetes, HTN, or that I would be infertile (don't know if I was never tried to have kids).

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Researched hospitals and my surgeon only does RNY... I wanted the procedure that would work best and quickest.

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?

Well I was not so fearful because I am young and otherwise healthy but my fiance Billy was scared to death. He made me worry but I did this for me... I would tell people the cumulative risk of morbid obesity is way worse that the risk of surgery and you know what I think I would have rather died than continued at my ever ballooning weight... As sad as that sounds

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?

Family was great with the exception as noted above. They want me to be happy and healthy as much as I do.

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

Again, very supportive. Encouraged me to do what I needed to do for myself. I told the truth and I told why I needed to do it. I was out of work from May 24- July 5 (I had surg 5/31 but was supposed to have it 5/24...of course I got sick the night before and had to wait a week).

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

It was ok. The nurses were very nice and understanding. My butt hurt from the bed. I was there 6 days cause I had complications...see below. Bring whatever makes you comfortable... I can't sleep without the background noise of a fan so I brought that. Bring lip balm, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, hair brush...then again... I was there much longer than most you might not need those.

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

Yes... I had bleeding immediately post op. (See my profile for details). Had 2 surgeries the RNY and one to find the bleed. Needed a blood transfusion...was scared to death 0f this because of the infectious disease risk...even though I know it is minute. That kept me very weak for the first few days so that is why I didn't go home til 6 days out.

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 felt very tired and weak. I didn't feel nauseated or pain though. It is a very strange time emotionally too can't really explain that but I definitely mourned the loss of food.

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

Tried to get back to my normal routine was bored being out of work. Expect to feel mostly fine but to take it easy. Do nto be afraid to ask for help.

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

25 minutes away...not a problem at all

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 a pureed diet for the first month. Then I switched to pretty much what I could tolerate. I do not do well with bread or dry chicken. I WILL NOT try sugar cause I am scared to find out if I dump or not. Ths si too involved to answer all the questions...sorry

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

I walked a few miles a day without problems. I was able to do pretty much everythng I did before.

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

Vit b12, calcium, multivitamin, iron

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 didn't really have any of these. If I ate too fast I would feel like I had a rock in my chest but other than that it was fine.

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

The immediate post op period in the hospital I was in pain, I got sever nausea/dry heaves from the morphine/roxicet. I didn't want to get out of bed it hurt too much and I felt too weak.

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

I attend monthly support group meetings right now I attend the hospital community group and the 0-6 month post op group. I love the groups and they help you maintain sanity and ask questions that no one else can answer. I have also recently started therapy to deal with my issues.

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

I goes from under my breasts to right above my navel. I expected this since I had open RNY.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I stalled at 215 for 3-4 weeks but that has been it so far... I am sure more are to come.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Well they compliment me now which is new. But treating me differently... I don't know about that.