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

First on TV but I did not really understand what it was. Then my metabolic physician recommended it as a viable WL option for me and I was shocked but began my journey to understand more about obesity, morbid obesity and WLS.

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

I was very lucky - my insurance carrier approved me in just 4 days. BC/BS PPO. My advice is to be organized. I went to Dr.s for years for weight related issues and had it all documented. I also had a table of the diets I had done, my starting weight, ending weights and how long it took to put the weight back on. You have to show that you have tried other methods of WL before WLS.

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

Dr. Nussbaum was wonderful - he was kind and understanding, he put me at ease with him and his staff. I was informed when I went in but had prepared questions for him and he was thorough in answering them.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I am a HS biology teacher and watched a laproscopic kidney transplant. I was so impressed with the bloodless surgery and the recovery time of both the donor and the recipient of the kidney that I reconsidered doing it. Then my friend told me she had scheduled a date which further encouraged me. I attended a seminar and made the decision.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I had researched the oprions and settled on the one that made me most comfortable, that had the most long-term data on success and side effects and that my surgeon was most comfortable with.

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 am not afraid that I will die. There is always a chance of death from surgery but I am more afraid of complications like excessive uncontrolled dumping after etc. My advice to anyone with fears is not to lurk too long on obesityhelp.com. I love the site but some of the stories and message posts scared me.

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?

Most were supportive - my husband and mother were great. My friends were awsome. My inlaws and sister needed to be reassurred that I actually needed this and was not being 'vain' or taking the easy way ut of wl.

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

Great, my supervisor was really supportive. I told her the truth. My surgery is still 3 weeks away.

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

Good, attentive night nurses were great. Day nurses were busy. I was in for 4 days. Books, slippers and a robe - they make you walk, walk, walk.

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 was anxious that something would interfere with the surgery. I kept busy. I was nervous about managing after the surgery - I wasnot afraid of the surgery itself.

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

At first a lot of pain/discomfort caused by gas (1st 3-4 days after I cam home). Once i started on a stage 2 diet, that stopped. I was tired and sore but that went away quickly and i went back to work full time in about 11 days. At this moment I am 4 weeks out and I am down about 28 lbs and have alot of energy. Each day brings new food challenges - some things I can eat, some I find I cant. somethings that I eat one day upset me the next. It is a trial and error game.

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

10 miles

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.

Egg was bad in the begining but I can tollerate it now. I was able to introduce fish in week three AS LONG AS IT WAS MOIST - sauces are the best. Chew a lot and slowly eat or OH MY GOSH does it hurt. Shrimp was bad but scallops were great. Cream soups are great and you can add rotein powder to them.

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

Low at first but now I am working full time, walking 4-5 days per week and going to the gy m 2-3 times a week. I have much more energy than before.

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

I was taking 2 Flinstones chewables and a Viactive Calcium chew up until a week ago but my vitamin levels were low so I switched to Bariatric advantage citrus chewables (2x day) and a Viactive multivitamin/calcium chew. I also add Beneprotein and Benefiber to my protein shakes in the AM.

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?

Pain more than anytng if I eat too fast or dont chew enough. I can vomit to make the pain go away which helps but I have not had 'dumping' nor have I had nausia. I still have pain if I eat too fast or too much (Like 2 whole scallops instead of 1 and 1/2) LOL

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

GAS PAIN and being the center of attention. I made the mistake of not keeping my surgery private and now every perion in the world wants to know my weight loss and what I ate today...

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

St. Barnabas Hospital has an Obesity Support Group that has 2 meetings (up to 1-yr pot- op and Post 1 year post-op) Not so helpful - mostly scary as people tell you what they coul dnever do again etc. I have a therapist who is helpful. I go 1x week

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

5 tiny lines - healed for the most part and will fade to almost nothing

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

i lost 20 lbs the first week and only 5 in the next two and 1/2 weeks. I was bummed.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes - everyone is interested in my wirght loss, eating habits, bowel movements etc...