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

I first found out about surgery while doing a weight loss search on the internet. My first impression was NO WAY am I letting them take 2/3 of my stomach!

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

I made sure that all my paperwork was in order. I called and spoke to a rep at my ins co and made sure to take their name and the time of the phone call. It took my ins co less than a week to approve me.

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

It was awkward. I felt like he is almost stand-offish and that intimidated me. I probably would have given up on the idea all together if I had not been so afraid of dying without the surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I have too many conditions that could be cured or made better by surgery not to give myself the chance at a better life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My doctor only does the one procedure and he was the only doctor accepting patients in my area at the time I needed the surgery.

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?

My biggest fear was of dying on the operating table and never seeing my family again. I have bad reactions to anesthesia so it was a hard decision for me to make. I advise others to talk about whatever is scaring you - just talk and talk - don't worry that others will get tired of listening because talking will help you to feel more confident and you need that right now.

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?

Everyone has been super-supportive before, during, and after.

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

I am not presently employed so I had no employer to deal with.

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

I am very afraid of hospitals so the stay was a nightmare for me. The best thing I brought was my own nightgown. I bought a cheapie all cotton one from walmart and ripped apart the seams at the shoulders, replacing them with velcro. This allowed me to wear my own which could be pulled on without disturbing the IV and I felt much more comfortable and at ease than I would have in a hospital gown. For the most part, the hospital staff was great. I had a few small problems but they were quickly worked through. I was there for 3 days total.

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

I had no complications although my stomach stayed sore for 6 weeks which I was totally unprepared for.

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 actually very excited and only began to feel nervous the morning of the surgery. Thankfully, I had loving and supportive family members around me to keep me thinking positive.

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

I had a bad reaction to the pain medication so I hurt for several days, taking nothing, until I finally got my PCP to prescribe me something else. I stayed sore for an unusually long amount of time and it was over 2 full weeks before I could lay down or get up out of bed alone.

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

I traveled about 45 minutes. The ride to the hospital was great but the ride home we seemed to hit every pot hole on the road and the bouncing did nothing to improve my already bad mood. I am a big baby and I DO NOT handle pain well 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 am still only able to eat 3-4 ounces of anything at a time. I concentrate mostly on protein. I have not had any breads , pastas, or rices yet. Fruits and vegetables make me sick - too much roughage. If it wasn't for protein shakes and powders, I would never get enough protein in. My biggest complaint is that I am thirsty all the time and I can never drink enough to quench the thirst. Also, I used to live off ice - I love the stuff - but now anything with ice or ice chips in it causes severe cramping.

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

I was a sloth until 2 weeks post-op. Then I started slowly on a ski type machine for 5 minutes a day. Now I can do 20-30 min a day on it along with another 20 on our trampoline and 15-20 lifting weights.

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

I take these daily: 2 chewable adult multi-vitamins 2 extra strength tums 1 Prevacid b-12 supplement 1 iron supplement

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 problems sleeping for 2 weeks due to the stomach pain. Now everything is back to normal.

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

I think the worst part for me was going the first 2 days without pain medications. I had a bad reaction to the delaudin(made me keep puking) and even with anti-nausea meds it didn't get better. I kept asking for something different but after getting no response I finally just stopped using the pump and went without until the last day in the hospital when they finally gave me something different. Then when I went home what do you think they sent me home with a prescription for? That's right, DELAUDIN!

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

I go to the local hospital's WLS support group. Its small but I love it. They are honest here - its not all the hyped up rah rah, everything's great pep rally - they talk about the problems too, and how each individual deals with them as they happen.

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

I had a lap procedure so I actually have 6 small scars and my opinion is that scars in life are okay, I am just thankful to be alive to have the scars.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none yet - 7 weeks post op

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Everyone tells me how great I look. I am already being treated more like a person even though I am still the same me I always was.