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

I first found out about wls back in year 2003 when one of my co-worker's had the procedure done. So, I saw how she benefited from the surgery over time and I decided to look into it myself.

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

Well, my experience in getting approval from my insurance was really not that bad at all. But, I didn't like the fact that I had to go on a six month supervised diet w/written detail before they would approve the surgery. If it was that easy to lose weight I wouldn't have been seeking this form of weight loss technique. i would've just did it on my own. The advice i would give is to do what insurance ask you to do and be patient. It will happen and if it's not approved there are other options and people that will help you get insurance to approve the procedure. Don't Give Up!

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

I was very excited about my first visit with my surgeon and it went perfectly the way I expected it to go. I was confident. I listened to every carefully and I asked questions and I felt at ease.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I decided to have the surgery when my weight broke my body down to just being able to go from bed to bathroom. I was gasping for air just to get from house to car. I am only 36 years old and I have a 13 year son I have never been able to take him to amusement parks or going on family outtings and get togethers. I was losing myself and my self motivation. I was just at my last hope.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I let my surgeon decide which procedure would benefit me better. So, it was the RNY.

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 was afraid of going under the ansthesia due to a previous experience I had prior to surgery. In order for my insurance to approve I also had to have a upper and lower GI. Small out-patient procedure. My asthma was acting up and when the doctor put me under I stopped breathing, I woke up in ICU on ventilator. That was my biggest fear was going under.

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 freinds were concerned at first. Until I explained it to them and ensured them that the surgery is not as evasive as it was before and the type of surgery I would be having. The RNY several small incisions and not a great big insicion with alot of re-routing and all. They understood and I would not change the way I communicated with them. My family and freinds were then very supportive of my decision and they have been an inspiration.

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

Well I was off work 10 months prior to surger due to health reasons. My job fired my before my fmla even ran out they said it expired a month before it should have expired. I did not bother because I was already too depressed and stressed to even argue the fact. I have proof if I ever wanted to dispute it. But, they say I'm eligible for re-hire if I decided to come back. I had been on my job for 8 years.

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

I stayed 2 days in the hospital. My surgery date and I was discharged the next day. My stay was excellent. I was sure to bring something loose fitting and a pillow to help support insicions while riding home, and house shoes.

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

I did not have any complications with the surgery everything went well.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

After I got my surgery date I was so excited. As day drew nearer to that date I had to stay strong and know that I was going to be just fine and wake up without the ventilator.

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

The first few weeks from the hopital is very important. I followed all dietary procedures and excersise as well. The first week is slow but the more you move around the better you get and quicker you get back to normal. No, heavy lifting for quit some time.

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

I traveled at least 30 minutes to hospital to have my surgery

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 could eat soups, protien shakes, meal supplements. I couldn't eat meats, vegetables or spicy foods, sweets. Pork is off limits to me. Week by week i was able to try different foods to see if body could tolerate and try to get enough protien and fluids. As time passed I was able to get the right amount of fluids and protien, foods etc. I still not able to tolerate some foods.

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

I was not very active after surgery but after time goes by in the healing process you become more active. You know what your body can tolerate.

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

I've taken docotors vitamins, calcium citrate, mutli-vitamins, biotin, isopure protein drink, slim fast high protein bars and shakes, and fiber all other vitamins and supplements needed.

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 had some nausea. I slept normal as usual I have a hard time falling to sleep. This feeling still persist today some foods I'm still not able to tolerate. It all depends everyone is different.

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

To me there was no worst part about the surgery. I think it is all beneficiary.

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

At this time Obesity Help is my support group, I'm not in any program sat this time. It is important to stay in a program and support group.

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

My scars are not bad at all, I expected worse.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Have not experienced plateau at this time.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I'm still treated the same from those that don't know me. But, for those that do always complement me and inform how great I look and they are happy that I'm losing the weight. It is encouraging.