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

I found out from a friend. At first I was really scared to think about a major surgery and major change like that. Then I have done about a year or so of research about this and have decided to have it done.

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

I didn't have any trouble with my insurance. My doctor received verbal approval over the phone and we received the letter a couple days after that. My insurance has been really great.

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

I have done a lot of research on the surgery so I didn't have a lot of questions for the doctor. If you have any questions then Dr. Scott is more than willing to answer them. He is very concerned about his patients and wants them to be clear on everything.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I just finally made up my mind. I had been researching it for about a year and had a friend who had the surgery. I knew I needed to do something before I got any bigger or any diseases.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted the surgery that was going to be the easiest so I picked the RNY laproscopic. It was the best for me.

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?

At first, I was very nervous. I guess just not knowing what to expect. I had a hard time afterwards (nausea, vomitting, etc..) but not everyone experiences this. NOW, I would recommend the surgery to anyone and would tell them not to be scared.

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 supportive of my decision. They helped me thru the rough time after surgery and have been there for me everyday.

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

My employer was very nervous. I have had heart trouble in the past and I was not in the best condition. I just explained to him why I was having the surgery and he was and has been very supportive. I had my surgery on a Wednesday and I came home on a Friday. I took vacation the week after surgery but came into work a couple of days. I felt fine.

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 good. The only thing is that I requested a private room (trust me you will need this)and the hospital didn't have any so I shared a room with someone. I was there for 2 days. I would say the most important thing to bring is whatever makes you comfortable at home.

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

My surgery went really good. The only thing I had was pain in my left arm from being on the surgery table and the anesthesia. They gave me some pain reliever and it helped a lot.

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 wondering what in the world I had done the first couple of weeks. It has gotten better and it just keeps getting better.

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

My first couple weeks at home may not be the same as other people. I was sick for about a week or so. I was nauseated all the time, vomitting or dry-heaving, and could not hardly drink a thing. I finally got over it but it was rough. Then it just kept getting better and better.

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

I drove about 4 hours away. I have been to every post-op visit so far so it hasn't affected my aftercare.

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.

It would be way too long to explain everything but I will give you a summary. The first couple of weeks was nothing but liquids. Then you could add soft foods for the next couple of weeks. Then it went to deli meat. Then I gradually added back different foods. The only thing I drink now is water, tea or unsweetened kool-aid (w/splenda). The main food that I have missed is red meat. I can not eat red meat until I am 3 months out. The dietary tolerance is easy because your stomach is not big enough hardly anything - so it is not hard.

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

Very little and now I have more energy than I have had in a long time.

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

Vitamin B, Multi-Vitamins with Iron

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?

Nausea and vomitting were the worse for a couple weeks afterwards. I would rest a lot and finally got better.

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

My worst part was the time when I was sick right after surgery. A lot of nausea, vomitting and dry-heaving. Other than that, nothing was bad about the surgery.

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

I haven't been to any support groups. I use obesityhelp.com a lot just to see other peoples concerns or thoughts and it helps me. I have a lot of family and friends that I talk too and it helps me through the rough days.

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

My scar is only about a inch long and it really looks good. I thought it would be a lot bigger.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I went for my week check up and I lost 22 pounds. I thought that was great. I was very excited. My scales are not really correct but the best that I can tell, I have lost about 34 pounds. That is a total for almost 4 weeks. I go back to the doctor on the 22nd and I will let you all know exactly what I have lost. I am excited!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No not really. The first couple of weeks I was a bear to live with but I am getting better now. My family is starting to enjoy being around me again.