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

One of my friends had it done. At first I did not give it much thought. Then as I continued to gain weight even though I worked out and dieted all of the time, I became more interested. Eventualy more and more people I knew were having the procedure.

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

Because we live in an, "I want it now kind of mind set", it seemed to take forever to get approved. In all actuallity the process took about 3 months. I was approved the first try. Thank God!

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

I went to the seminar with my then soon to be husband and a dear friend who has already had the RNY. It was very informative and I had written down questions that I wanted answers to. This was most bennificial.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Desperation and the need for a new life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I researched my options on the internet and also spoke to people who have had the different proceedures.

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 at my limit as a fat person. Of course I was scared of something going wrong and I have complications or even die. In my eyes it was all worth the risk. I could not stand being me in that cacoon for one more day.

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 family always looked at me through love filled eyes. They could not see the fat.(I call this "Fat Goggles".)No matter how much literature or examples I provided they were still skeptical. I feel I was very thorough and I would not have done anything differently. After the surgery everyone was very supportive. I am so lucky to have a close friend who was already a year out to bounce all my questions off of and support me.

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

The Company I worked for at that time was very supportive. I was out for 6 weeks.

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

Actually most of the nurses were okay, a couple of them were lacking in people skills. I was in the hospital for 3 days. I think the most important things to bring are the ones that make you comfortable. A soft robe and comfy PJ's.

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

None!

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 sore but not as bad as I had originaly thought I would be. Walking around helped a lot. My biggest problem was not being able to eat. I wanted to sooo bad. I actually went through a lot of anger because I could not eat. It took some mind control that is for sure.

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

Strange! I was sore but still got on my feet and walked around. I followed my diet to the letter. I did not like any of the protein drinks but sucked them down anyway. It is not a fun period, but in the end it is worth every second.

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

I only lived about 45 minutes away from the hospital.

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 stayed on the mostly liquid diet for almost 2 months. I drank a lot of chocolate 2% milk made with sugar free Quick. After that I ate a lot of cheese and crackers, I was so happy to chew something. I experimented with things along the way. I could not eat bread or tortillas for a long time. My husband is diabetic so we do not use real sugar at my house and usually buy sugar free snacks. I am 1 1/2 years out now and I find if I eat too much sugar I feel light headed and dizzy but that is the extent of it.

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

I tried to encorperate short walks into the first week. It was slow moving but it really helped to get out in the fresh air and do some walking.

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

I started out with the cute little Flinstones chewables, 5 a day. I continued to take them for almost year then graduated to a regular multi-vitamin. (I cut it in half to make swallowing it earier)I also take calcium.

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?

My protein intake was no as good as it should have been. I lost a lot of hair. It stoped about 1 year postop.

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

The tubes in your nose right after the surgery.

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

I have not gone to any support groups. I have found support in my close friend who had the surgery 1 year prior to me. She is a great source of not only information but keeps me motivated even if she does not realize it.

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

I have 5 small scars. It kind of looks like a cat went a little wild on my stomach. I sometimes forget they are even there. I used to worry about people seeing them but now that I am so much thinner I wear a bikini top with pride.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

My all time high was 280. The day of surgey I weighed 240. I am now 1 1/2 years out and 17 pounds from goal. It seems I was stuck at 180 for a long time. I had found out what foods(junk) I could get away with eating. I ate small amounts but the food I was eating was not protein and things that were good for me. Also, I was really bad about working out in the begining of my weight loss. It has not been till about 5 months ago I am fully commited to a work out routine. I think I would have lost more weight quickly and be at goal right now. These last 17 pounds are the hardest. I am currently stuck on a plateau, but I can at least see my goal of 150.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes! It is sad, the better you look the better you are treated. It makes me so mad that the same people who would not give me the time of day are now oh so kind.