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

I did research on the web. It sounded feasible, from a nurse's point of view, but also dangerous.

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

The doctor's representative took care of it. I was approved in a number of days, even though I was consider a light weight.

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

He was a little intimidating. He is also a teacher and had a resident with him. I think he was trying to impress him. People should write down their questions, days ahead of time, so they will have time to add more as they think of them. Make the doctor sit there until they answer all the questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I have a lot of risk factors, mostly cardiac and diabetes. I had to do something.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Researching all the types of surgery, I decided RNY, lap was for me.

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 went into this with a mind-set. I was going to get through this, I was going to lose weight, and I was going to be healthier. You must be prepared mentally, or all is for naught.

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?

I only told my husband. No co-workers knew. No family knew. No friends knew. I didn't need the negative vibrations.

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

I told my supervisor 2 months postop. He was delighted. He had been though the surgical process with a significant other and was well informed on the subject. What a relief to finally tell him. He was/is very supportive of me. I took 7 vacation days. I was back to work 10 days post-op and did great.

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

I went in on a Thursday at 6 am, had surgery at 8 am, finally got in a room at 8:30 that night. Went home the next day at 6 pm. Houseshoes and housecoat are musts. I was admitted to a room with an elderly lady who had a fever of 102. Being a nurse, I knew that wasn't supposed to happen, but it did. Her IV was in her neck and every time she moved, her IV machine started beeping and the nurse's would act like they didn't hear. No sleep that night. I got myself up and walked at 5:30 am. Was up several times after that. Was dressed and ready to go home when my hubby came to see me at 6 pm.

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

No complications at all. Period.

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 a little apprehensive, but I had already made my mind up to have the surgery, so backing out for me or being nervous wasn't an option.

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

Getting used to the foods I could and couldn't eat are probably the main things to expect. As I said before, I didn't have pain, just gas at times. I could eat, say cottage cheese, one day and the next day, I just didn't want it anymore.

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

40 miles. No problems.

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 don't have any foods that make me sick or cause me to dump or have diarrhea. I can eat whatever I want. Some things I like, somethings I used to love, now I just don't want.

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

I walked from day one. Not a whole lot, but some. I am still going strong now.

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

Flintstones children's with iron. 2 a day. Tums, extra strength. 2 a day B12 sublingual liquid. 1200 mcgs.

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 only have had slight queasiness a couple of times. I have been bothered by nothing else. Coming up on 4 months postop.

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

Fear of the unknown, pre-op. Post-op, I knew what I had to do to get well, it was a challenge, really, and I did it.

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

It would probably helped some, or maybe I could help others, but there wasn't/isn't anything in my area that I am aware of.

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

6 small slits. Healed well, hope they turn light colored and disappear, but if they don't, that's okay, too.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had a plateau of 3 weeks right after surgery; otherwise, I am losing very, very slow, but I am losing inches by the dozens.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, people notice me more. Maybe its the glow that I have now, though, instead of the weight loss. I feel like I have finally accomplished something. To hopefully extend my life and feel better at the same time.