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

I had a few friends who had it and it worked wonders for them.

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

First I had one insurance that required a 3 month trial of weight loss which was frustrating but as soon as I changed jobs and got new insurance to BCBS of VA I instantly was approved

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

I had a million questions written down and he answered them all. It really was a piece of cake.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I decided I was done being the fat girl. I was goin to have control of my life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted the quickest and best results so I went with RNY.

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 took out a $500K life insurance policy at 24 years old! I was insanely scared about dying. I have no dependents either so I literally flipped. I would advise people that although it is a major surgery and life changing decision it is really a walk in the park.

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 told my mom and made her tell my dad. I thought he would see me as a failure because I am an over acheiver. My dad called me and was super supportive which made me very relieved. I told a handful of friends before surgery and anyone who wanted to know after. I deffinately kept it an open book because you never know whos life you touch with your story. I have inspired many to also have surgery. But I know some like to keep it totally private.

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

The supervisor of the job I left was worried because she had a friend who had complications for WLS but she was very supportive. My supervisor and coworkers at my new job were more of my friends then the friends I had for many years they were the most supportive and even came to the hospital. I was out 7 days total.

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

UCI medical center is a trauma center and a teaching hospital. Deffinately not the upscale hospital I am used to in Newport Beach but I had zero complications and it wasnt all that bad. I just did not have a bed at first and then was charged for a single occupancy room when i didnt request it it was the only room left. the bill was adjusted later. I didnt bring anything. I just showed up in my clothes early in the am and stayed 2 nights.

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

None. I had some tearin of scar tissue as i healed and started a workout regimine but that was nothing.

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 have a great family and friends circle who kept me as sane as they could. I deffinately could have used some xanax I was that much of a mess.

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

All I can remember is how hard it was getting in and out of bed. But I took zero pain meds and slept a lot.

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

The hospital and doctors office are only about 10 mi from my house. I remember being miserable on the drive home though.

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 completely lactose intollerant and sugar intollerant. Both cause dumping syndrome. I was able to eat eggs in the begining but not at all now. I do not do rice at all. And chicken and red meat were not tollerable for about 6 months. Now I can do everything but lactose, sugar and rice.

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

After 2 weeks I was back at the gym until it made me sick from the pain from scar tissue tearing so the gym was taken away from me for months at a time. I had the energy level to be at the gym 2 hours a day everyday.

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

I take 2 extra nutrients Thorne Research vitamins, 500MCRO Grms of B12, Calcium, Iron and colace.

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?

Hair loss from months 3-6 really got me down. I vomited a lot! Dumping syndrome is avoidable as long as I did not do lactose or sugar. I still vomit if I over eat and get dumping if I do dairy or sugar. But my hair has grown back in not as full but deffinately manageable.

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

Realizing that some friends are only your friends because you are their crutch to make them feel or look better in front of others. That is a hard lesson but one that I value.

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

I go once a month to support group. It does not do much for me anymore but I like to go to see others progress and bounce ideas off of.

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

You cannot even find my RNY scars.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I plateaued a few times for a month or two at a time but all in all I lost 200 lbs and am totally happy with where I am at.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Of course. Society accepts thin beautiful people easily and rejects obeisity.