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

One of my co-workers had the surgery three years ago and at that time I thought that i could lost weight on my own without resorting to surgery. I thought it was an extreme way to lose weight. It wasn't until i developed medical problems that I started thinking about the surgery as a way to help my diabetes and get me feeling and looking better.

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

I am so lucky. I work in a hospital that is a sister hospital to one that does gastric bypass surgery. That meant that if I wanted to have the surgery and I qualified, it would all be paid for, less my $10 co-pays for my doctors appointments. I was also lucky to get approval within a week and a half. I can hardly wait to start this journey to a better and healthier body.

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

My first visit to my surgeon was the day of our Thanksgiving parade and we barely made it back before the parade started. The surgeon was straight and to the point and I liked him immediately. He pulled no punches and gave you the information and all of the risks that go with having the surgery. I went into this meeting expecting no less.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had decided to have the surgery before I met the surgeon. I knew it was the right thing for me. I wanted to feel better and hopefully get rid of the problems I was having.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I had a co-worker who had the Lap RouNY and that is what I was hoping for. I heard the recovery time was less and I didn't want to take that much time off from work.

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 really never had any fear about the surgery. My daughter's were more afraid than I was. I had such peace about it and I knew it was the right thing. I am sure I will have some fear when the actual day comes, but i know everything will work out.

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 husband and girls are very supportive of this and happy to know that I will be feeling better. My twin sister on the other hand, is not very supportive. She thinks I will be sick all of the time and I wonder if she will think that I am not the same sister since I will be much smaller. I also worry that she will feel resentful because she will be much bigger than me. But you know, I am the still the same person, just heathier.

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

My supervisor was fine with the decision and, in fact, he is having the surgery too. I hope to only be out 3-4 weeks with the lap procedure but my girls would like me to take the whole six weeks off, ha! ha!

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

I had a wonderful hospital experience and Doctors and Staff. The hospital I was in had a floor that specialized in gastric bypass patients and alot of the nurses had been through it also. I was supposed to be there overnight but I lost too much blood and had to get a transfusion. My stay was from Friday until Monday. I know how dry hospitals can be so be sure to bring along hand cream and chapstick. Also your own pillow if possible. It makes sleeping alot better.

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

I had some blood loss and I had a transfusion of two units of blood. I also got a staph infection after I went home and had to come back to the hospital for IV antibiotics. After these two minor setbacks, the rest had gone very well. I have a lot of support from my family and church.

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 am happy to say that I was so excited to finally be ready to get this done. I never had any anxiety because I knew this was right for me. My husband was always there for me. Update: Now that I have had the surgery and see the great results, I know this is what was best for me. My husband is always there to cheer me up if I feel like I am not losing fast enough. I know he is there no matter what.

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

The first few weeks are a period of rest. You are just on clear liquids ( at least I was) and you are sore. Take it easy and walk slowly but don't just sit around. The more you move the better. Try not to let everyone wait on you. Do things yourself and the soreness will go away quicker.

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

I only had to travel about 30 minutes to the hospital. Not far at all. My surgery was in the summer so it was a pleasant drive.

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 have trouble with flour. I can eat most chicken, hamburger, tuna. I have tried to stay away from pastas and potatoes. It was nice to finally get to eat eggs because I love breakfast foods. Eggs and bacon or sausage are my favorites. I did eat a baked potato when I was on the soft food diet and it went down ok ( even with butter on it).

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

During the first weeks after surgery I was weak as a kitten. I would walk outside for about 15 minutes and then have to come in and take a nap. Also showering was a major accomplishment. Just keeping my arms up to wash was a challenge. I would lay down and sleep after my showers. Your energy level is just gone. It takes a good month to get back on your feet.

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

I take Citrical calcium chewables, Centrum multivitamin chewable, ferrous fumarate iron supplement, chewable vitamin C, biotin, zinc and B12. I try and find chewables in most things because it makes them much easier to take.

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 would have to say the dumping and hair loss. Because you cannot make yourself vomit, you have to endure the feeling that you want to be sick. I would not throw up but feel like I wanted to. This would last for about an hour. Also the sweating that goes with it. NOT FUN! The hair loss is not so bad because I know it will grow back. I am still dealing with the hair loss and do not eat things that make my dump. I learned my lesson on that one.

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

I guess part of it is people who you thought were your friends no longer talk to you. I don't know if this is due to jealousy or because they do not believe in this surgery. I feel it is their loss. I am still the same person inside, I am just more healthier now.

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

Our department at work has 5 people who have had the surgery. We are our own little support group. We exchange clothes and ideas and also tips on exercising.

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

I only have 5 little marks where the lap Rou-N-Y was done and since I have no plans to wear a bikini anytime soon, I am happy with the scars. Update: I bought my first bikini the other day to wear here at home and you know, the scars are not that noticible.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Well I lost 30 lbs so fast it was, freaky. Then the weight loss slowed down. It is still coming off, but at a very slow pace. I don't mind that, because I have lost 60 so far. It is better to come off slowly anyway. Update: I am now 66 lbs lighter and on a plateau that is lasting a long time. I know the weight loss gets slower and I try to stay upbeat, but I also want to get to my goal and that is 25 lbs away.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

When you are fat you are invisible, really. When I would shop for clothes, I would have to track down someone to help me. Now that I am back to shopping in the misses section, I can't keep them from bugging me, LOL Also, friends at work who were once my friends, no longer speak to me. Jealousy? Who knows. I just know I like what I see when I look in the mirror.