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

I actually stumbled on to it going in to have my gallbladder removed. I first visited my surgeons office to have a consult for my gallbladder. I then found out from sitting in the waiting room that he did bariatric surgery. From there I researched it, and within that year of researching two other people in work place had the surgery. Watching the two people in my office was a great inspiration to me and that is when I decided to go for it.

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

Well I really don't know what to say in about insurance. I had absolutely no problems getting approved. I was approved with the 1st letter within a month. I did however continue to call the insurance company and ask status on my claim every few days. They first told me that they didn't cover weight loss surgery, but as I later found out everyone there gave different info each time.

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

Well the first visit with my surgeon for weight loss surgery was great. I think people really need to think over everything before there first visit. I suggest they write down every question and concern they have before going. That way you can leave very satisifed with the appointment, and feel very comfortable with the decision you are making. My doctor was great, he gave me all the pros and definitely made a point to go over all the cons and what could go wrong. He was very kind, and truly believes and what he does.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

After researching it for so long you learn everything about the surgery. My surgeon supplies us with all the statistics of why people have a hard time loosing weight, even when one is constantly on a diet or doing exercise. I just knew after everything I found out about the surgery, that is was the right thing for me. Everyone has to make that decision for themselves and be very comfortable with it.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My doctor and I decided on what proceedure was good for me. I already knew I would't be good for the Lap-Band. The amount of weight I wanted to loose was over 120 pounds, so we decided that I needed to have RNY. It was the decision I made to get better weightloss.

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 fears of the surgery were very intense, and overwhelming some times, especially after you find out your approved. I definitely had a great fear of dying and of having complications. But I knew I had to do it, this was my chance to make myself happier about my life and how I live it. I would defintiely tell people that have the same fears, that they need to address there fears, and except them. Anything can happen. This is no different from any other surgery, you can have complicatons with any surgery. My biggest goal after my surgery was to follow directions to the T, so I could avoid complications. Take care of yourself. And don't go to have the surgery assuming everything is going to be peachy. You do have to work for it, and it is a little hard right after. As easy has my surgery and recovery went, I won't lie, it was hard. I was sore, tired, I hurt, and just didn't have any energy, but it does get better as long as you do everthing you are told.

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 would have to say I was very lucky to have every body supporting me. I think my family and friends all new how bad my weight effective everything about my life, and they were happy to see I was so passionate about doing something to make my life better. I had solid support. My family has been there for me 100% and they helped me so much after my surgery, and they try so hard to make sure I am happy and healthy.

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

My boss was very excited for me. He also knew that my weight effective me and my life. I think he was hoping I would be more positive when I returned and maybe easier to work with. And I have been. I have definitely change my attitude around completely. I get more accomplished at work and you can defintely tell my boss is very pleased with the decision I made. He was very supportive and even sent me flowers at the hospital I was out for 4 weeks.

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

My stay in the hospital was great. Everyone there seemed to be very sensitive to the needs of people who have this surgery. They new what they were doing and what you needed and how to treat you. It was a great stay, and I don't think I could of asked for a better hospital. I had surgery on Tuesday Morning and got to go home by Friday afternoon. The most important things for me were little. hair ties to keep my hair out of my way. My own tooth brush and tooth paste, and a robe and slippers. That was about it. I was to tired to care about anything else.

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

no complications at all. Everything was as smooth as possible. I thank God everday for that, because I know a number of things can go wrong with any surgery a person has.

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

After I found out I was approved and had a date I had a variety of emotions. At first I was just so happy and excited, and couldn't believe I was getting my chance. Then I was scared and nervous. I basically just sat down and thought threw my thoughts and why I was doing it. Then I realized that this is the one thing I could do to make myself happy, and I wasn't going to back out then. I just excepted my feelings and realized there is a risk and that was that.

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

Well first of all everyone is different. Everyone heals differently. I think I actually healed a lot slower then most do. The first week was hard. I was very, very tired. I was very sore and I hurt. It was definitely a slow week, and defintely a week to rest from what was just done to your body. I did a lot of sleeping and that is about it

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

Not very far at all. The hospital is about 30 minutes away from my house.

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

My activity level really picked up slow. I would have to say a lot slower then most peoples do. I would go to my post-op classes and everyone else just seemed to have so much more energy then I did. As bad as this sounds, I didn't start working out until I was 6 weeks post-op because of how tired I always was. But it did get better, and I felt great between week 6 and 8.

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

I take a multi Vitamin once a day, I take sugar free tums a few times a day, and b12 dissolving pills every other day.

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 the first six weeks I was really sesitive to drinking cold beverages. I had to drink everything warm, but that stopped after 6 weeks and now I can drink ice cold water or tea. My biggest issue has been hair loss, and it didn't start until almost 3 months after my surgery and it has gotten pretty bad. My hair loss has not stoped but I am only 4 months post-op so I am hoping it stops within a month or two. Right now, it bothers me, but no bald spots yet, so I am not to stressed about it.

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

The worst part for me was how bad I felt after my surgery. I felt bad for like 3 weeks, and I was getting scared that I wouldn't ever feel better, but I got over that, and started feeling really great when I was 6 weeks post-op.

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

My surgeon actually provides two support groups. But I have not attended any of them. I think I just got so much support from family, friends and co-workers that had the surgery, that I was very happy with the support I was already getting. I do believe people should go if they don't have that personal support.

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

Actually my scars are defnitely not as bad as I thought they would be. I had lap done so I have six scars. They were much bigger after my surgery but as I loose weight they continue to shrink. I am very happy with how bad they really don't look. But for me the scars don't bother me, I think they were well worth the new life and the new me. Small price to pay to be happy. Also its a reminder of what you have been threw so you continue to strive for more.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Well I am 4 months post-op, and I am experiancing my first plateau. I was a little dissapointed at first. But I do realize my doctor said this surgery isn't a miracle, its a tool to help me loose weight. It aids in what I decide to do as far as exercise and eating habits go. I have changed my exercise program to give myself a little more of a challenge from what I have bee doing since I started exercising. I didn't add more, I actually decreased it, I just changed it. I was doing 45 minutes 5 days a week walking. Now I do 20 minutes walking every other day, and 45 minutes weight training eveyr other day 6 days a week, and my weight loss is picking up again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People definitely treat me different. At first I was very upset about it, because I thought I was the same person I was before, and my weight shouldn't be a factor in how I get treated. But after talking over my feelings with my mother, she pointed out to me that I am a much happier person. I am easier to talk to or approach and that is probably a big factor in why people treat me different, not just the difference in weight, but also the difference in personality and attitude.