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

My mom told me that she was having it done. She never expressed interest in it or talked about, so I was shocked. While she went through the process, it was hard for me. I was at the point where I was struggling with my weight the most. Seeing the pounds melt off of her body made my struggle even harder for me. I didn't live with her so I only saw the benefits and not much of the work that goes into utilizing this tool. I definatley thought it was the easy way out.

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

Wow, I don't have much advice to give on this subject because I had it easy. Shortly after my first consultation I got a new job that offered insurance immediately and the contract for that insurance said that it excludes weight loss surgery EXCEPT for GASTRIC BYPASS. I had to read it several times to make sure I was reading it correctly. I was! They approved me after my first letter!!

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

My first meeting was great. I had done lots of research beforehand so nothing he told me was new. Which is great becuase everyone is nervous or excited at this point and may not be paying their best attention. Do the most research you can and make a list of the questions you may have so you don't forget anything.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had high blood pressure and hated taking medicine for it. I was told that once you start taking meds for your bloodpressue you'll never get off them. At 23, I did not like this idea. So I (again) tried losing weight and couldn't do it. Then I went to an amusement park. I was so nervous about fitting into the rides and the humliation if I couldn't fit. I even wante to leave the park before close - which I never wanted to do before. The heat and walking were just too much for all 241 lbs of me. I had always been a rollercoaster fanatic, and considering the possibility that I may be able to fit next year if I kept up that lifestyle, was a duh moment. I didn't want to live like this forever, and I had to do something about it NOW.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I only ever considered the RNY. Lap band may be good for some but I wanted this done once and for all and not have to fuss with filling the band and having tubes through me and plastic parts inside me. I decided to have the RNY done open out of my own stubborness. A friend of my mom's and another woman I knew had RYN dome lapriscopically, and both had complications. I am a smart person and knew that this is not WHY they had complications, but still wanted open. I wanted the surgeion to be able to see what he was doing if he was going to rearrange my insides. So when I learned my doctor only did the procedure open, I felt like it was meant to be.

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 trusted my surgeon and didn't really have much fear of death or complications. I had a few surgeries (nothing this major) in the past and always went through with flying colors, so I had confidence. Plus i was well prepared and knew what possible complications could arise and felt that it was in God's hands.

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?

No one relaly had a strong reaction to it. I was 241 lbs but only 5'4". So technically I was smaller than many of my relatives, either height or weight wise, so I did get a few comments on whether or not I needed it. In fact that was the most common question/comment I got. Even from my PCP and blood pressure doctors and the nurses at the hospital where I had my surgery. As they were moving me to my hospital bed after surgery the nurse told me I was a little one! My family had all seen my mom have the surgery a few years before me and they were surprised that I wanted to do it at a young age, but no one was against it.

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

I only told my employer that I was having abdominal surgery, and thats all the note from the surgeon's office said. I had only been employed there for three months at the time and they made it clear they were not happy about me taking the time off, but i disliked the job anyway so it didn't bother me that much. I took three weeks off, unpaid becuase I was new. My surgery was pushed back at the last minute due to a rash I had, and I ended up only having 1 1/2 weeks off after surgery. I went back and told everyone I have a mass in my stomach that was irritating it but not cancerous and it had to be removed. I usually do not lie but it was none of their business.

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

I was in the hospital for three nights. Day of surgery, Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3 I went home. The nurses were great, and my pain was managed well. I actually liked getting up for walks. I was alone most of the time in the hospital because I live 2 hours away. My family was there to drop me off and pick me up, but in between I was all alone. I brought a lot of stuff I ended up not using. Mt Cel phone was the one thing I would definatley recommend. As well as glasses if you need them for reading or seeing the TV. And chapstick or lip balm. Your lips get dry when you can't eat or drink! I thought I would be bored out of my mind, but I would just walk when I got bored. Everyone else has to walk to so take advantage of that and meet some new people.

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

I have not had any complications!

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 very anxious. I was planning on moving a month after my surgery and knew I wouldn't be able to life afterwards. So I basically did a lot of packing and getting things in order before surgery. I also worked on a jigsaw puzzle. I tried to keep busy so time would go by faster.

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

My first few weeks were not bad. Ok well the first night home was rough, I had terrible gas and just could not pass it (hadn't in the hospital either). After that I did really well. I was taking frequent walks, making protein drinks and going along to the grocery store. I needed to take my water jug with me everywhere though - I just couldn't quench my thirst. I went back to work a week and half after my surgery. I took it easy while at work. It did make me very sleepy though. The second and third weeks were hard becuase I was having "morning sickness" at least thats what it felt like to me. Each morning I had terrible nausea. It lasted two-three weeks but then went away on its own.

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

I had my surgery about 2 hours away from my home. The aftercare was not affected much by this. I just took half days from work on the days I needed to have follow ups, so maybe three or four times.

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.

Well, I stuck to my surgeon's guidelines for the most part. The first few days I just ate broth. Then I moved to milk and protein shakes, and refried beans. I ate a lot of Tuna and crakers, and yogurt once I could eat soft foods. I tried boxed mac 'n cheese a little too soon out (three weeks) and that didn't go down so well, even though it was soft. Carbs were difficult for me at first, til I learned to chew them well and take smaller bites. Bready foods tend to stick to themselves once chewed, and they turn into big sticky balls that don't want to go into the pouch. Dry meat did give me a little difficulty, so I only ate what I cooked, to make sure it was moist enough. And even then I ate a lot of gravy with it. About 6 months out I started to have a little trouble with milk. I always drank skim and still do but even that seemed to sit heavy in my pouch and make me bloated. I used to drink glasses of milk and it was a great source of protein for me. I was rather frustrated when it all the sudden made me feel bad. I still only drink a sip at a time. I eat more cheese and drink more calcium fortified juices to make up for the calcium I was getting from milk. I never tested tha waters as far as sugar and fat limits til I was further out, about 10 months. Luckily I found out that they do not agree with me, so I still avoid them. I can pretty much eat anything I'd like except sugar, a lot of milk and extreamly greesy foods. And not TOO much of anything!

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

The first few weeks, especially once I went back to work, I was tired a lot. Not sluggish but once i was tired I needed to take a nap. While I was awake I seemed to be able to do a lot. I took lots of walks, and I was able to make it through a full 8 hours of work when I did go back.

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

I take two Flintone Multi Vitamins, and one dose of Liquid B Complex daily. For the first few months I had to take Pepcid twice a day and Actigall to prevent gall stones. I also took Biotin to slow hair loss for a short time.

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 a touch of nausea a few weeks after surgery, and mild hair loss from 4-7 months post op. I did try Biotin for a short time to help with the hair loss, but my hair loss wasn't noticable and I didn't think it was worth taking two extra pills a day for. I only dump when I eat too much fat or sugar in a sitting, and I avoid that as much as possible. The most uncomfotable time is when I eat something too fast and don't chew it well. I feels like it gets stuck. To cope with that I get up and walk around and/or drink a sip of something warm. I still do that once in a while, but I am much more careful and it dosn't happen as often.

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

Nothing sticks out as extreamly negative, waiting is the hardest. Waiting between consultation and approval and waiting to get a date and waiting until the date. Adjusting to a new lifestyle may be hard. If you, and the people around you, are used to a sedentary lifestyle or are homebodies, it may be hard to deal with them and your new energy and desire to try new and fun things. These are both psycological and can't be soothed by a pill so they have been the hardest parts of the process for me.

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

I actually have not been to any support group meetings, I do frequent obesityhelp.com and everyone who participates on that site has been very helpful. Its a place where you can at least go and check to see what's "normal", and everyone is friendly and fun. I also have my mom who also had WLS several years ago.

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

My scar seems long. Its about 6 1/4 inches long. The whole length of my belly. But it is nice and white and smooth for the most part. I am happy with it. Considering wearing a bikini next summer and letting it show. Its better than I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Well I have had many plateaus, at least it feels like its a giant plateau which may only be a few weeks and then you'll make up for it by loosing a bunch of inches or pounds when its over. I recently was on my longest plateau yet. About 8 months out I got stuck at 151. It took me a month to loose one pound and another months to lose two more pounds. Meanwhile I still dropped a pants size, even though the scale wasn't moving. Plateaus are frequent and I had my first as early as five weeks post op. Don't jump to the conclusion that you are done loosing just cause you have stalled for a few weeks. Taking measurments usually helps.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People see me now. I never realized it when I was bigger, but now that I'm average, strangers will talk to me and hold doors for me. And people look me in the eye more. People seem to take me more seriously and don't act shocked that I have a boyfriend.