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

I heard that a girl I knew in passing had a lap RNY. I thought it was pretty disgusting that someone would resort to what I considered "hacking themselves up" just to lose weight. After learning how successful it was for her, I started doing A LOT of research before deciding that it was something that I wanted to do for myself.

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

I really didn't have any trouble with insurance. I did all of the testing required by my doctor. He submitted it for approval. They approved it.

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

Since I had done quite a bit of research beforehand, my questions to the doctor were more personal than factual. I was trying to get information about aftercare, testing required prior to surgery, and to get a general feel about the guy. I refuse to have anyone operate on me that I don't feel 100% comfortable with and went to 3 different doctors with fantastic reputations in my area. Then I chose the one that seemed to mesh with me best!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My inability to keep weight off and the history of obesity in my family were the 2 main things that made me decide that WLS was something I had to do.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I looked into all options, but the lapband was instantly out because I REALLY didn't want a little port on my abdomen. The idea just creeps me out. I didn't want duodenal switch because I didn't want or need the extreme malabsorption issues associated with it. I chose lap RNY because I knew that it offered good results and, while still having issues with malabsorption, they weren't nearly as great as with DS.

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 never had any type of surgery before and the fear didn't really strike me until I was being wheeled away from my husband the day of surgery. I was crying all the way to the operating room. I wasn't bawling because I just couldn't seem to breathe well enough to do it. I was really nervous though and terrified that I would never see my husband or daughter again.

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 was supportive. Obviously, nobody is thrilled with the idea of their loved ones having any type of surgery, but the only negativity I received was when my dad told me that it's "unnatural." I explained the whole thing to him and he didn't say anything even slightly negative again. Everyone else was really happy for me to be taking such a drastic step to make my life a better one.

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

I'm a stay-at-home-mom, so the answer to the question above would apply here also. My husband took his vacation time starting on the day of my surgery, so I had 2 weeks of 0 household responsibilities. It made it a lot easier to be able to get up and about at my own pace instead of having to chase around a 1 year old right after surgery!

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

My hospital stay was alright. The pain pump I was on made me feel horrible and I don't remember much of the first 2 days post-op because of it. After they took me off of it, I felt much better and was released after the third day. The most important things I brought were my toothbrush and toothpaste and lip balm. My lips were so dry they were cracking.

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

No

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 really had no anxiety until I got to the hospital on my surgery date. I was excited about doing something so life-changing and at the idea of being the person on the outside that I always wanted to be.

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

I had the worst gas I think I've ever had in my life. It was even worse than the gas I had when I was pregnant, which is saying a lot. I went home with a drain in place that bothered me more than anything. Other than that, I felt pretty good. I had some discomfort from the surgery itself, but nothing extraordinary.

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

About 40 miles. It was actually much closer to my home when I was choosing a surgeon, but we moved into a new home between my initial consultation and my actual surgery date.

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 really can't tolerate too many carbs or sugars and have to make sure to avoid "hidden" carbs and sugars. That's the hardest thing because I was never a label reader before. I'm becoming one, but sometimes things catch me off guard. I also have problems with any red meat. I can have a nibble here or there if my husband is eating something, but there's no way I can have more than that. It just makes me feel crummy.

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

Immediately after surgery, my activity level was pretty low because I was just SOOO tired all the time. I've been becoming more and more active as I've been losing weight. It's so much easier to run around with my daughter and my dog after taking off only half of what I'm hoping to lose. I actively exercise now and have even grown to enjoy it!

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

Optisource bariatric vitamins 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening.

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've had some nausea, but it's all been associated with me eating something I shouldn't (usually something that I didn't realize had sugar in it), or eating too fast. I've had minor hair loss, but I have a ton of hair and tend to lose more this time of year anyway, so I'm not sure if it's attributed to the WLS or the season! I took a tiny little nibble of my daughter's birthday cake at the urging of my family (don't listen to people when they say, "One little bite won't hurt! It's her birthday!") and learned about dumping the hard way.

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

Having to buy new clothes as I grow out of my old ones! Somehow, that's both the best and the worst part!

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

There is an aftercare program/support group through the hospital where I had my surgery. They meet once a month and the past 3 months, I haven't been able to go. One fell on a holiday and was canceled. The past 2, there have been ice storms! I did attend prior to surgery and still talk to a lot of the people I met at the first couple meetings, so I have support that way. I also frequent OH and have a ton of support there!

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

I have little dark marks on my belly that seem to be fading quickly. I'm amazed at how fast they're disappearing!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I just recently burst through my first plateau. I was stuck in the low 190's for well over a week. I started thinking I was doing something wrong despite following doctor/nutritionist orders. I weighed myself this morning and was down to 188, so I think I'm through that one now!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Whenever I see my mom, she comments on how great I look. My husband seems to compliment me a lot more now too. He had stopped when I was heavier, but I think that was more due to me telling him he was wrong whenever he did and not that he didn't find me attractive anymore.