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

My friend had the surgery and at first I thought it was too drastic and I could never do it. But now it's done!

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

Since I am a military dependent and our local military hospital is a teaching hospital, I had no problems with insurance. I did not even have to request coverage.

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

Very informative. Ask lots of questions. Do research before going in and take a list of questions because if you don't, you'll forget something.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted to lose the weight before my genetics catch up to me. I have diabetes and heart disease on both sides of the family and I want to try to prevent them before I get them.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

There was no decision for me. The RNY was all I was offered, but that was good because that's what I wanted.

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 a little frightened about the surgery because it is such a drastic step and the risks are significant. I wasn't so worried about complications, I guess because I was basically healthy and I have had no complications so far. But I was a little afraid of dying. But I guess I just told myself that if I didn't do it, I would probably die too soon too and the risk was worth taking.

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 husband at first did not want me to do it because of the risk. My mother asked me repeatedly if I was sure and made sure she flew in the night before to be with me. I told my father the night before surgery and he was very worried, probably more because I didn't tell him I was even thinking about it. They were all very supportive. My mom stayed in the hospital with me the first night after I left ICU. My husband stayed the next night and then when they moved me to a semi-private room where he wouldn't be able to stay with me, he helped get me home before I spent another night in the hospital. He also slept on the couch with me at home so that he could get up with me about every two hours to go to the restroom. He was WONDERFUL! And my father and stepmother drove four hours to make sure I was ok. All of them have been great, especially my husband.

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

I left my job a few weeks before I received my surgery date, so I have not had any employer or supervisor to deal with. I was very lucky that I did not have any pressure to go back to work too soon or to worry about what was not being done at work.

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

My hospital stay left a lot to be desired. I had surgery on Friday and left the hospital on Monday. I had no complications, but I think I probably could have spent one more night. I had a private room until Monday afternoon when they moved me to a semi-private and no family could stay with me. There were some issues with the staff and I did not feel comfortable staying without someone to make sure I was cared for, so I asked my doctor to let me go home and he did. Thank goodness. I did not need anything from home, really. I don't think I used anything that I did bring.

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

I had no complications. The only problems were due to the hospital staff's inattention, lack of staff or just plain indifference. My husband and mother and/or a friend was almost always with me to make sure that I was taken care of.

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 received my surgery date that was just three weeks away and then a few days later, the surgeon called and asked if I wanted to move it up to within two days of the call. I said yes and then really didn't have time to be anxious. I was a little nervous but I was actually sort of at peace.

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

At first, I could not do anything alone. I needed help to get up, to sit down and even to go to the restroom. I could not lie down at all. I slept in a recliner and my husband slept on the couch so I could wake him up when I needed something. But every day I made a little progress, from being able to sit on a straight chair alone to finally getting in and out of the recliner alone. That was a proud day! Once I was getting up and down alone, I tried sleeping in bed and it was hard at first, but it gets better every night. I used lots of pillows to prop up on and every few days, I would lose a pillow until I was lying flat. Then I started trying to change position. At 5 1/2 weeks, I can now sleep on one side (with a body pillow) but not on the other one yet. It's a slow process, but there's progress every day.

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

It takes about 15 minutes to get to the hospital. I've had 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 ate lots of jello, pudding and broth the first few days but that became very old very fast. I began adding soft foods almost immediately and then within about 2 weeks I started adding other foods. I have had no problems with anything as of yet. I do try to limit sugar and I have lots of protein but so far, anything I have tried has been fine. Of course, I am cautious. I don't eat just anything. I feel very lucky to not have the problems that so many have had.

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

I walked a little more every couple of days. I probably didn't walk enough, but have now at 5 1/2 weeks have started to walk a lot more.

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

The doctor gave me a liquid vitamin and that's all I've taken so far, though I have missed it for about a week. I will have blood work this week and will probably get other vitamins.

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 haven't had any side effects yet.

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

The stay in the hospital when the nurses left my epidural turned off for four hours. And I can't seem to get enough water. I'm always thirsty and am not able to drink enough to quench my thirst.

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

I have a friend who had the surgery two and a half years ago and the OH website. Both are very important because if I have questions, that's where I turn.

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

It is 8 inches long and still has the little dots where the staples were. I did not know what to expect, but I think it's a small price to pay for health.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I lost 30 lbs in three weeks and then for two weeks have lost nothing. I am at 5 1/2 weeks now, so I'm waiting to jump off that plateau.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

My friends tell me I look great, but I really haven't lost enough to notice a big difference in the way I'm treated in general.