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

I have many friends that have had the surgery. At first I was a little apprehensive about it, but once I talked to people that had it and talked to my doctor. I decided that this was for me. My doctor confirmed it when she told me that this was the best decision that I could make for myself.

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

BCN is the hardest insurance to get to approve you for the surgery. I still have not been successful. They require on top of everything else that you have 12 months of diet and exercise documented by your doctor and they require 6 to 7 days a week for exercise 60 to 90 min a day.

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

I went to Hurley hospital for a consultation and the doctor was very blunt. His point was to scare people who this was not a last result for them.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I am 24 years old and I am 350lbs. I can't do the things I want to do. I just want to be able to walk through an amusement park for the day and not be in severe pain when I get home that evening.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I researched the surgeries and found that I am a prime candidate for the laproscopic bypass surgery. I chose the bypass instead of the lap band because the bypass is not as easily reversible and forces me to make the life changes I need to make myself better.

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?

That people have major surgeries everyday and that there are chances you have to take in life in order to better yourself. You have to decide for yourself if your willing to take the risk.

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 is completely supportive of this decision. In fact my dad is the one who suggested at first for me to check into it.

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

Since I work in the health field and this is help advance me in my job and ability to do my job. They are completely supportive as well.

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 a good experience. The staff was wonderful!!! When they tell you it is really important to walk after surgery, IT IS!!! You will find you will feel a lot better the more you walk. I stayed 2 days in the hospital. I would say the most important thing you need to bring is some comfy pajamas of your own and some good house slippers to walk around the hospital with

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

NOPE....Luckily 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 was really excited and nervous at the same time. It didn't hit me that this was a major thing until the handed me power of attorney paperwork to fill out. I just waited til the day of and it was really easy for me, my whole family was there the morning of surgery to support me and lots of my family came after surgery for support and to tell me they were proud of me and they loved me

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

you will def. get sick of protein shakes for a while. My advice is follow what they tell you. If you are suppose to be on liquids for 3 weeks then do so. I have followed everything they have set out for me and am not having problems. Don't over do it. Do what you are comfortable with. If you are not feeling well, don't push it! Take your time and let your body heal. DRINK YOUR FLUIDS!!!!!!!!!! they are a very important step in this process

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

I only had to travel 2 miles for my surgery. I think I was very very lucky

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.

For the first 3 weeks full liquids, 2 weeks after that pureed foods, 1 week after that soft foods and then onto solids. I can not have more than 9 grams of fat any more than that makes me sick, plus no more than 37 grams of fat a day and no more than 2 grams of processed sugars, so needless to say my eating habits have changed.

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

4 days after surgery I went to the gym and walked on the treadmil for 20 min. I took things slow and didn't push myself. I bought myself a bicycle, I hadn't rode one of those since I was 16 years old, feels good to get on it and ride 3 miles. Swimming is a def. Favorite of mine to do and I do enjoy lifting weights now

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

lots and lots of protein supplements. I have to have 70 grams of protein a day. also for the first 3 months after surgery I was on chew able Flintstones, now they have switched me to prenatal vitamins to help with my iron intake

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?

Right now I am experiencing the hair loss, but it is not too bad. I am fortunate to have a lot of hair. Once I up my protein intake my hair will start growing back.

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

the cotton mouth for the first day after surgery, other than that no issues

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

I have not yet been to a support group. I have a lot of family and friends that are routing for me and keep me motivated. I am however going to start going. I would like to share some of my good outlooks with other people

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

my scar is nothing like I expected. I have six little incisions. I new they would be small but I didn't think that they would be that small

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

When you start to incorporate your solid foods it will take about a week for your body to get used to it and you will continue to lose weight just takes your body a few days to catch up

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Nope not yet...but I do notice people who would have never looked at me twice are now noticing me