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

I think I heard it on the news. I initially thought the same that I think now...this is my last hope, it could save me.

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

I haven't tried to get approval from my insurance yet but I am pretty confident that I will get approved.

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

My first visit was an orientation with a few other surgery hopefuls. I enjoyed that visit. Everyone at the office was as sweet as can be and the surgeon is the nicest man. All my fears just disappeared. People can get the most out of this meeting by just asking as many questions as they can think of. No question is dumb and the staff is there to help you.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I just can't live this way anymore. I am really young and I deserve to have a life. I want to have energy and travel and do all the things that I love to do. My motivation to have this surgery is mostly to be healthier and prolong my life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided that the RNY is the best option for me because it has the biggest weight loss and I don't think that I can stand to have a needle put in my stomach to adjust the Lap Band.

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 had fears of dying or having complications like an infection or leak but my doctor assured me that these risks are fairly low. The doctor has done some 2,000 surgeries and has only lost 2 or 3 patients and that gives me some comfort. I would just tell other people fears are normal but the risks of dying from the surgery are low and the risks of dying without the surgery are probably about the same if not more. To me, the risks of not having surgery are much higher than the risks of having it.

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 parents at first thought that I should try other ways of losing weight but after I explained to them that this may be my only chance at being healthier they decided it was a good thing. They have always been worried about my weight and my health because of it and they just want me to be happy. Now they are super supportive. The rest of my family and friends support me in whatever I do. I haven't had surgery yet but I know they will continue to support me after just as they do now.

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 employed.

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

I was in the hospital for 3 days and it was actually not half bad. They told me I was the "easy" patient since I was up with no problems. I think that the most important thing to bring is just something to pass the time. I had to have someone bring me some word searches on my second day.

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

No complications at all!

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

In the weeks following my surgery I really felt great! Now I fell so much better and I am extremely proud of how well I have done. I had a little anxiety after the surgery about the upcoming holidays but I just told myself that I could make it through them and I did.

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

My first few weeks home weren't too bad actually. I did really well, I think. People should expect to get a little frustrated with the diet. It takes some time to get used to not being able to eat as much and sometimes it is frustrating since you crave things you can't have. It gets better, much easier as time passes.

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

I traveled about 80 miles or so to have my surgery. My aftercare is done by e-mail or phone as long as I am feeling well and I have blood work done every few months and the hospital faxes it to my surgeon's office.

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 could only have clear liquids for the first few days after my surgery, due to the drains left in me. After the first couple days I could have soft proteins like eggs, refried beans, etc. By first month post-op I was able to eat fruits and vegetables, for the most part. Now, three months post-op, I can start eating bran cereal, rice, pastas, and potatoes. I have found that the three things I used to love to eat before the surgery, I now hate, loath even. It's funny but I hate pizza, hot dogs, mashed potatoes (twice baked) and some cheese even makes me feel sick. My husband can't say the words Subway or Taco Bell because I feel nauseous. I have also learned that I started craving things I never liked much. Salad is a big one of those things and BBQ sauce.

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

I did pretty good with my activity level in the days and weeks after surgery. I had more energy than I have ever had, even after just few days, so I was able to keep up with my walking without a problem.

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

I take 2 chewable multi-vitamins daily and a 2500 mg of vitamin B-12, which is higher than recommended but it makes me feel better, once a week.

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?

For me, frothing was my biggest enemy. I had trouble getting used to smaller portions and I didn't know that I was full. I didn't feel very full but I was so frothing occurred frequently. Now, I feel full and know when to stop before I get to the hurting part of frothing. It lasted for about three weeks and occasionally it still happens but it has calmed down a lot.

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

I honestly think that the worst part about the process was the anxiety I gave myself before and a little after my surgery. I managed to convince myself somehow that I would fail but now I am so proud of myself and I have a lot more confidence in my ability and strength to do what I need to for this great tool to help me.

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

I just have my husband and family for support,\. They are great and it is really all I need.

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

I have very small scars for the most part and they are fading. I did expect the scars but they don't bother me a bit.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have not had any plateau so far, maybe a small one but it only lasted a couple days.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I think that some people are just more proud of me than ever but they don't really act much different. They know I am the same person on the inside as I have always been.