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

I was only 17 and getting ready for college. I'm glad I waited until I was an adult because I am not sure what I would have done emotionally post-surgery during college. I really wanted the surgery and waited almost 10 years for my insurance to finally offer.

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

My insurance company was very flexible and quick to approve compared to other people that I have heard. I had PPO and paid for a higher insurance because of my intentions of having the surgery. I found an in-network doctor (Dr. Rantis at Alexian Brothers) and then started with his program. His program led me in the right direction and they got everything approved. Please be very diligent and patient with insurance approvals. Appeal until they finally give in. This was the best life-change I ever did and want everybody to be able to go through it! Dont ever give up on yourself....

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

Wow--- he asked me all kinds of questions and I answered honestly and he knew I was very informed about my choice to go ahead with WLS. Before seeing your surgeon, FIND people that have had the surgery and talk to them about the "aftermath" and really decide if this is something for you. It's been a lot of work and sometimes disappointment (and you can't really turn to food to cope). People will tell you this... there are side effects that you will have to deal with for life. I have a friend that won't have the surgery because he likes beer too much... it's sad, but atleast he won't go through the surgery and then still try and drink beer later!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I think I've always wanted to have the surgery. I attempted to pursue it before college, but never had the insurance to really pay for it. My first couple of jobs out of college still didn't have great insurance... so I finally landed the job that had great PPO and I was fortunate to only have to pay 10% of my surgery!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I knew that I didn't want lap-band. I am kind of a chicken when it comes to needles, so thinking about the lap-band adjustments really makes me cringe! Plus, I knew that I was sooo badly overweight that I needed something permanent. If I was less than 100lbs overweight I would have gone with lap-band I think. BUT--I'm not even 30 years old and I knew that if I had a band put in place, I may have to have it removed years down the road. I wanted something permanent and that would keep me on my path the rest of my life.

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 care if I died! If I died trying... then atleast I was trying. I had a great life pre-surgery with close friends and family, but I was not truly fulfilled with my life. If you are scared, then please talk to somebody who has had the surgery. I had 4-5 people that I would turn to on a daily basis asking questions before surgery and I still talk to them asking if they're able to eat this or that. Support is what it's all about...

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 family and friends have been my rock! They are always complimenting me and telling me how great my life seems now! I have not been secretive about my surgery... just about everybody knows. My co-workers are still doing double-takes and that just feels great! Make sure you that you have people in your life that are going to ask you where your bottle of water is... ask you how many times you went for a walk or went to the gym. Do not surround yourself with "nay-sayers" that do not want to help you progress in your new 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 so excited, I thought the man was going to cry. I'm sure he's the exception to the rule... My employer was very supportive. I saved up two weeks of my vacation and used that as my time off. I had surgery the Monday of Thanksgiving week so I had 2 "free" vacation days on Thursday/Friday. I returned to work after only 2 weeks. I was a little sluggish the first couple of days, but nothing too bad. It picked up and I think that the structure is what helped me get back on track.

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

My stay was really nice. My roommate was a little kooky... but when aren't they? :) I had a ton of friends and family visit, they were so excited to help me walk around the hospital floor at my slow pace. Very encouraging. Seriously don't bring more than your toiletries (shampoo/conditioner/soap/toothbrush/toothpaste), a book, and the clothes you came in. I rested a lot and walked a lot. I didn't have time to read much or even watch much TV because you go for testing and you really want to sleep of the anesthesia. Some patients don't even get the chance to shower because you're discharged so quickly. I was there from Monday AM until Wednesday afternoon and was home before 5pm!

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

No complications from the surgery. I was a "bad girl" and didn't diet very well before the surgery and my liver/pancreas were enlarged. Please take my advice and DIET before your surgery to prevent this! The surgeon can have a difficult time trying to get to your stomach and may have to open you up. Fortunately he still completed it laproscopically, but they did have to check my blood sugar every hour for 12 hours post-surgery to make sure my liver and pancreas were doing better.

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 didn't have much anxiety. I planned a pre-surgery party where I had everybody I know bring my favorite dish that they make. It was a "last feast" and was a chance for me to talk to everybody all at once. So we sat around a bonfire and just chatted about everything. I was nervous a bit the day of, but I knew this was the BEST thing I could ever do for myself!!!

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

Expect to be a little sluggish and hunched over a bit from the drain. UGH! I hated that thing. That was really my only "con" to having the surgery because it was always in the way. Once removed (which was NOT fun) I was like a whole new person. I also had to self-inject a blood thinner (Lovenox) post-surgery and I'm petrified of needles, so I had family/friends inject me. Other than that, you have NO appetite... so plan on going for a lot of walks!!! I went to the zoo, the mall, the track... anything to get me moving. The more you walk, the better!

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

Couple of miles. This was very important for me because I wanted to be able to have visitors.

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 think I am all over the board on this one. I followed the doctor's plan that they give you at discharge with the protein shakes, soft foods, etc. I recommend CARNATION No Sugar Added Shakes instead of the protein shakes. It tastes WAY better! I still drink them. Things I can't eat a lot of.... greasy foods, refried beans, cool whip, rice, pop, cake, cookies, ice cream/custard. I can have a bite and that's about it. Things I can eat a ton of and not really feel anything.... fruit, veggies, cereal, noodles, sugar free pudding.

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

At first I only walked. Then after about 2 months, I joined a gym. If you haven't joined something, join now. Get into jazzercize or Curves. SOMETHING. It's hard to get in shape even skinnier... atleast walk and do something active!

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

I take the Optisource bariatric pills 4xday. Sometimes I forget, but I'm typically good about it. They're less than $1/day. Small price to pay for your health! I also take a Vitamin D supplement due to low levels on my last blood screen.

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 had hair loss for a while... but not too much. I pushed myself to eat protein. My cousin had a problem with chicken and beef after her surgery for a LONG time, so I made myself eat chicken really well chewed as soon as I could. I would say it was 6 months or 100lbs lost before I restored my hair. I had pretty thick hair though, plenty to spare. No vomiting yet since my surgery (Thank God). Dumping only happened a few times when I tried ice cream. I don't eat it anymore.

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

The drain. But I'm a baby about stitches/needles and stuff like that. I did my best to be brave though!

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

I really don't, and I know that's bad!

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

I have 5 small scars. You can barely even see them.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I hit this 220lbs plateau and that's why I'm on this site to hopefully encourage more weight loss! I've lost 10lbs in the past 2 weeks dieting with my partner who is up for surgery in a couple of days. Glad to be back on track!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES!!! People are more excited to see me... I get a lot of double-takes... People are more helpful in stores... I don't feel awkward in meetings at the office anymore because I'm not taking up so much space at the boardroom table.