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

My medical doctor began talking to me about the surgery when all other weight loss solutions had failed.

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

When my medical doctor submitted a request for the surgery it was immediately denied, however, after visiting with the surgeon he had me collect data from other specialists and then submitted the request. It was approved within 48 hours.

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

My first meeting with my surgeon consisted of a video, a meeting with the surgeon and a lot of information. The best way to get the most out of the meeting is to go in with an open mind and listen to all the data before making a decision.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was so tired of feeling bad and not being able to do things with my son. I had come to the point healthwise that if I didn't do something one of my other problems was going to kill me so I just jumped in with both feet and signed up for the surgery.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My insurance company will not cover the lapband procedure so that made the Roux the only solution I could live with. With the expense involved with the surgery I couldn't have done it otherwise.

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 some pretty great fears about the surgery and whether I would make it through but with the support of my family I made the decision and aside from the first week after surgery have never regretted it.

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 and friends were very concerned and really didn't want me to have the surgery with the exception of my husband who knew what I had been through with the out of control weight issues. I was unable to convince them that the surgery was something I needed to do but they have all been very supportive post-op.

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

My boss has battled weight herself so she was very supportive about the decision to have the surgery. I had originall told her that I would be out of work about 6 weeks, however, I returned part-time during the 3rd week after surgery and full-time during the fourth.

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 very short. I was their 2 and 1/2 days and then was able to come home. The nursing staff at Northeast were wonderful and aside from being uncomfortable and in a little pain the stay was no problem.

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

I had a minor complication during surgery, my spleen was in the wrong place. Luckily my doctor was able to make an extra incision and move it out of the way to complete the surgery so that I could have it done laproscopically.

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 worried a lot before the surgery but with support from my husband and son I was able to get through it.

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

My first week home from the hospital was very frustrating. I wanted to eat and was so sick of protein shakes I couldn't stand it. When I was finally able to have jello you would have thought it was prime rib. The first two weeks were the hardest for me but once I saw that I had lost 18 pounds in the first week I began to feel better.

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

30 minutes.

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.

Sugar and most fats are completely off limits along with most carbohydrates. This is a huge lifestyle change (harder than any diet you could have ever been on). The good thing is that you have to control what you're eating or you will make yourself sick. It's a definite motivator.

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

The first day home I began walking 15 minutes a day (every day!). This is very important to keep you from developing pneumonia and blood clots. It's difficult and you don't feel like doing it but you have to.

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

I take a multi-vitamin with iron, a B complex vitamin, 2 viactives (calcium) and biotin to help with hair loss.

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 have been very lucky in not having a lot of side effects. I had some nausea and a feeling like air was stuck in my stomach for a couple of weeks but it wasn't unbearable. I am now beginning my fourth month post-op and my hair is coming out like crazy. I have really thick hair so it's not noticeable to anyone but me and the bathtub drain, hopefully it'll stop before I run out.

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

The worst part was getting through the first 2 weeks after surgery.

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

I see a nutritionist once a month and the hospital offers a support group every on Tuesday nights. I don't think I could do this without the help of the nutritionist. There are so many things that you think would be okay to eat that really aren't. Having a nutrition program helps you to know exactly what you should be eating and when you should be eating it.

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

I have seven little scars on my stomach. They are still a little dark but I think they won't be bad in time.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

No plateaus yet but I'm sure they're on their way.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I work in a college and the students have been gone for the summer so as they start to trickle back in I get a lot of comments and looks. My co-workers have been very supportive and try really hard not to talk about no-no foods.