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

Initially I heard of the surgery as a child when my best friend's mom was having her stomach stapled; later, within the last two years, a couple of people at work had bariatric surgery. I must admit that my initial reaction to that was that they were taking the easy way out and that they hadn't tried as hard as they could. My impression has come a full 180 degrees since then.

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

My experience was terrific! I received my approval letter (in the mail no less!) 3 days after the request was faxed. I did have a letter from the surgeon and I had to have 2 previous doctor supervised weight loss attempts documented to qualify for the surgery.

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

I still haven't seen the doctor in a personal appointment. The first time I will see him one on one is at my pre-op visit. I did go to a very informative free monthly seminar that he and his staff host. I learned a lot at that visit and questions were welcomed and answered thuroughly, which is not always the case in office, due to time constraints. Also, at the seminar, if you forgot to ask a question, someone else asked.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Well, that's a tough one. I have always wanted to have a family. One day at my job there was a woman who had a small child that was supposed to sit on her lap. She was a large woman (like myself) and she had no lap on which to sit her child. I knew I needed to do something so that wouldn't be me sitting in that chair. Also, after undergoing some therapy I finally started to feel better on the inside and I was ready to feel better on the outside. I had tried a lot of other weight loss attempts and I was ready for something that worked! Finally, after four other people at work had surgery and were successful, I knew I could do it too!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I researched the procedures on the internet and found that people were the most happy and had the best results with the RNY. It is now the "gold standard" of bariatric surgery.

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 reached the point that I knew if I didn't do something for myself I didn't have a future to look forward to. Because of that, I wasn't afraid of death. I was ready to risk my life to really live! My biggest fear was that I wouldn't be approved and that I wouldn't be able to get the date when I needed it to coordinate with work.

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?

For the most part, people have been supportive. It is a huge decision wether or not you are open about surgery. People that I thought wouldn't be, suprized me and outpoured support. I can't tell you how good that feels and how much that means. I truly have the best and most supportive family anyone could ask for.

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

My boss asked "are you sure this is what you want to do?" It is so hard to get people to understand that this is a wonderful thing I am doing for myself. The only other thing my boss asked is when I would be able to get back to work. I would have liked a little more caring.

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

As far as I know my stay in the hospital was fine. I have no point of reference having never been in the hospital, however. I was there 2 nights and was ready to just be at home. I would say the most important things to bring are a robe and slippers so when you get up to walk you have some coverage.

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

No complications.

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 didn't have much anxiety at all. Most of my anxiety came from before the surgery and worrying that I wouldn't be able to get the date that I wanted that worked best with my job. I had already made the decision and had no second thoughts.

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

The first week I had pain. I thought it was gas pain at first, but the more I monitored it, the more pattern I found. I would have very sharp pain under my left breast after eating. It turned out to be stomach pain, just an adjustment period I think. I did have a lot of gas pain in my shoulders from the inflation during surgery. The next weeks were mostly soreness and tiredness. I was exhausted for at least a month. Once your energy begins to come back however, it comes back twofold! It does take a long while for your mind and body to adjust.

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

I traveled about 45 minutes from my house, which is close enough for aftercare.

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.

The first week the only thing that felt good in my new stomach was broth. I had pain with the other foods including popsicles and jello. After the first week I could tolerate any of the full liquid diet. When the third week began I started soft solids and had no trouble with these either. There were two times that I ate too fast and hurt for a little while.

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

Going to work was as much as I could handle for a while. Consuming so few calories really diminishes your energy. That is one of the most difficult parts of early post-op life. I had very low energy for a long time, but once the energy came back, it came back exponetially.

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

Prenatal vitimins, iron supplements, calcium all the required stuff (yuck!)

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 was the pitts! I was sure I would be bald by the time I stopped losing hair, but of course it stopped long before that. I increased my protien intake, took biotin, and used Nioxin hair products. I haven't had dumping syndrome which is a blessing and a curse. I have to monitor myself a lot more because I have a sweet tooth! Luckily I have not had problems with nausea or vomiting either.

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

The worst part? I wish I had been brave enough to do this for myself sooner.

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

I went to support group for 2 months before surgery and almost every week after surgery for 2 years. Now I co-facilitate a support group and think it is the most important part of taking care of yourself after surgery!

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

lap scars...very small and getting lighter all the time. I didn't care much about the scarring. I don't think people can prepare themselves for their post-op bodies. You have this picture in your head that if you make it to a size 8 you will have a firm body. Thank God clothes hide a lot! But, I knew my husband and my doctor would be the only ones to have to see my scars!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have found that I would lose weight, then the numbers stopped droping and I would lose inches, and so on. Almost a stair step process.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

There is a HUGE difference! Some of the differences are good and some of them are bad...People don't have any problem making eye contact with me now. I get a lot more "hello"'s on the street and doors held open. One thing that isn't so great is that it is ok to be a big girl and be shy. People see you as shy when you are heavy. If you are a little shy when you are thin and pretty people see you as snobby. I have to really make an effort not to be viewed as a snob.