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

Well I went to my Primary Doc to beg for some diet pills and he said absolutly not. He said you are considered obess and you are a good canidate for BWLS. I thought well thats putting it boldley. He said no more temp. weight loss solutions. So I looked it up and studied on line and decided to go for it. (With RY-n Y surgery)

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

Well I was told by the surgeon my insurance ususally isnt that difficult to work with , that was good news I was approved in less than a week.

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

It was good, just research the surgery or all the surgeries they offer and find which is best for you and write down any concerns you have and ask your surgeon. I felt very confident with my surgeon . He really gave me alot of information.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I knew it was my only answer. Im so busy runnin here and their with four kids , and have been overweight for about 10-12 years and I reallyw as determined to do this the right way.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I went on this web site Obesity help.com and asked. I had a gazzillion responses. People really helped with their opinions, plus the way the doctor described each procedure, that helped me to make a final decission. HE said that my procedure was more succesful.

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 was def. afraid of dying, but the percentages were very small. I had really no proir health problems. I was just scared one becaseu Ive never had surgerya dn two becaseu I have four children . ( I lost my mother when she was just 33 I was 12) So I didnt want to leave my children motherless. My husband was so suportive and made me more excited about my new life then to be scared. Plus the surgeon made me feel comfortable.

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?

A few people said I shouldnt do it, they thought I could loose the weight without surgery. I just explained It was something I needed to do for myself, Honestly I didnt really tell alot of people. My dad was happy for me.

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

Well my father in law is my boss, so he was happy for me and said I gotta do what I gotta do.

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

I had surgery at 7:30am on a Friday . I went home the next day Saturday at 5:30 pm. Id say just bringa change of clothes and a pillow. You really need to rest , your not staying a hotel you are having surgery and resting. Oh and walking. Bring some slip on shoes or just wear the hosp grip socks so you dont slip. ( no flip flops)

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

No I feel extremly lucky I had no complications from the surgery.

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

well first of all I just kept myself busy I was very excited and alittle scared. I kept thinking what am I doing. i also said I was gonna start watching what I was eating at that point but when I felt like getting something I went and got it, cause I knew that was it. I didnt gorge and I really had myself convinced when I had to have something, like man that really wasnt all that it wasnt really worth it. So I was setting my mind up for surgery and all the new changes I was about to be facing.

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

Ok Im gonna be honest I wished I would have stayed one more day in the hosp. everyone is different some may have to stay a week. When I got home, I wanst getting the full stregnth meds I was getting in the hosp. It was so hard to get in and out of my bed, It hurt my stomatch so bad. I had diareah for several days and was sick to my stomatch, no fever. The diareah finally let up. and I brought my recliner in my bedroom to sleep in. It was so much easier. Once I started feeling better I got in my own bed. It took about a week so that wasnt to bad.

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

40-45 minutes

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.

Im only 2 weeks and 4 days post op. Im supost to be ona liquid diet for 4 weeks. So only water, or crystal lite, sugar free popcycles. Low fat Yogurt, Sugarfree oatmeal, or Fat free refride beans. Thats about what I eat. Ive done well. Im really just eating to make sure I eat, Im not hungry. Mabey except for when I have to cook for the family then I want to eat it alll up. Im thinking just one bite. I dont do it I just walk away for a minute. Im getting better, Im motivated because Ive lost 25 pounds in 2 weeks.

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

Well when I got home I just walked periodically throughout the day, then once I got better i walked 30 solid minutes a day, now Im walking no less than an hour a day .

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

When I went home , I was prescribed a few medications , Lovenox, for blood clots thats a shot I had to take in the belly for 5 days. I also was prescibed medicine for ULCERS ( have to take for 4 months) I dont have the bottle with me I honestly foget. THATS BAD, I take calcium pills everyday 3 vitamins, and once a week I take B12 pills and a B1 pill once a week. At first with my pain medication and nasea medicine , It was rediculous all teh medication I was taking,but now its not so bad Im used to it. I sit at work and just take one pill at a time 10 minutes apart. I know they said dont take the calcium pills the same time your vitamins that there should be at least 2 hours apart from one another.

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?

DUMPING was bad the fist week. I had nausea to. I am worried about hair loss though, because Im struggiling getting all the recommended protein in.

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

HAHA youll get a kick outta this, The BARIUM TEST UPEPR GI drinking that slug was miserable I kept gaging. Other than that, It was pretty much a cake walk, I knew it wasnt going to be easy and Id have pain but it was ok.

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

I havent yet but plan to go to a suport group in two weeks. I have been getting on OB help.coma nd asking questions as well.

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

My wounds are healing great according to the surgeon. The only one that concerns me is the main one they went in its got a lump in it and its got an indintation.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

NONE YET not looking forward to it .

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

NO