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

I have been researching all the different types of gastric surgery since I decided something drastic had to be done.

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

I was approved very quickly for my surgery and I appreciate the speed in which I was approved.

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

It was very informative. Dr. Slotman showed me a video on the procedure and the before and after effects of having this kind of surgery and he gave me a good going over with lots of questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I want the remainder of my life to be lived in a better quality than it has been since I gained this weight. I have many medical problems that will not go away after I loose the weight, but they will be less serious than they are now.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My doctor originally planned to do a laproscopic RNY on me but because I have COPD, I had to have the Open procedure because the gas used to expand the stomach would have put to much stress on my lungs.

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?

There is always a chance of complications with any type of surgery but not having this surgery, I feel the complications of my weight would have been more serious.

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?

Everyone has been very supportive of my decision to have WLS but it was my decision to make and I researched it for a long time. Post-op, my family and friends were great. They tell me how proud they are and how happy they are all went well. Now they are excited to see the weight loss I will experience.

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

My boss thinks it's a good idea.

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

I had my Open RNY on a wednesday and was released on Saturday. I personally think I was not ready to go home yet but they let me go. I could not go home to my apt because I live alone and the first few days, you really need someone with you. I went to stay with my mother and thank God I did. I never would have been able to take care of myself alone.

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

I had no complications at all. In fact, I went from the recovery room right to a regular room. I didn't have to go to ICU. I didn't have staples, I had stitches inside and a steri-strip on the incision.

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 so excited. I wanted this surgery for so long. I was hurting and feeling really sore but at the same time, I knew this would all pass and I was going to finally be thin. I was excited about the future for the first time in many years.

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

Just do what your doctor tells you to do and be patient. Don't eat more than you are supposed to and try to relax. I was so nerved up from the pain medicine and feelings like, "What did I do this for", for those feelings are normal and they will pass. I didn't really have any problems the first few weeks and the weight just started falling off of me and that only made me realize, I did the right thing.

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

I only live about 20 minutes from the hospital so I was lucky I didn't have to travel a long distance like so many people have to.

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 got tired of the broths, jello and applesauce real quickly but you must eat only what your Doctor tells you to eat the first few weeks post op. After a few weeks, I could eat a little more things like pureed chicken, mashed potatoes with a little gravy. And popsicles, sugar free of course, and the only foods I have to stay away from so far has been pasta. I tried to eat a little bit of elbow noodles and each time I tried it, it made me sick.

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

I was extremely weak and would get dizzy and tired just walking to the bathroom and back to my chair. But after a few weeks, my strength started to come back and I felt much better.

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

I take calcium pills, iron pills and vitamins.

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?

I haven't had any serious sleep disturbance yet. I did have to sleep in my recliner for the first 3-4 wks because lying down just wasn't comfortable. I haven't lost any of my hair yet, thank God, and I've only vomited a few times because I ate to fast.

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

Without a doubt, having to drink the liquid to test for leaks. It was the most horrible tasting stuff imaginable but it is necessary to make sure everything is working properly before you are released from the hospital.

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

I never did go to any of the many support group meetings that are available mainly because I work nights and that is when most of the meetings are held. I mainly just talked to alot of pre and post ops on the ObesityHelp web site.

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

Well, since I have had to have two hernia repairs since the gastric bypass, the original scar is completely gone. My surgeon cut the bypass scar out when he did the first hernia repair about 8 months after the bypass and I recently had a 2nd hernia repair, 19 months after the bypass, and this scar is looking great. It's about 6 inches long and not at all ugly to look at.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I went through several plateaus since having this surgery but if you don't become discouraged and have patience, the weight will again start to fall off, as long as you watch your carb intake and exercise as much as possible.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, not really. I'm still the same person, just smaller and much healthier and probably alot happier since I feel so much better.