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

I have had family members that have had it and after they had it i had really questioned having the surgery. I did a lot of research about it online and asked lots of questions. I knew it was a big decision to make and i didn't want to enter it lightly by any means. Initially, i was scared b/c it is a big change but the more research i did, the more comfortable i got and confident i had gotten knowing i wanted to have the surgery.

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

That was the worst part. It took me 1 1/2 yrs to get approved thru my insurance. Just when i was about to give up i got approved!! I highly recommend to write down who you talk to dates and times every time you call. I can't stress enough to document everything!!!!!

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

Ok, so my first visit with my surgeon i will never forget. He was in emergency surgery that whole day so my appointment kept getting pushed back. Then when i met with him i met with him for a total of five mins. I walked out and wasn't for sure if i picked the right surgeon bc he wasn't very friendly at first. My husband was there for me and assured me i had made the right decision and i sure did!!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Knowing that i wasn't getting anywhere on my own for years and my quality of life was shot when i was only in my early 20's was hard for me to deal with. I knew that having the surgery would completely change my quality of life and help fix the health problems i had at the time. For me, i felt like i either have the surgery or die at a young age. i was so unhealthy i don't think after a certain point that i would have been able to control it on my own and surgery was the only thing that could control my lifestyle and keep me healthy.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

From doing research and talking w family members and my surgeon, we all agreed lap. rny would be the best decision 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?

Well, i definitely had fears about dying on the table before surgery. I think if you don't think about that at least a few times after getting approved and before your surgery date then you aren't human. The day of surgery i was really nervous but i had to keep reminding myself that i had a great surgeon and put all my trust in God and my surgeon that everything would be ok. I had those thoughts a lot like what if this and what if that especially since it took me so long to get approved and then as soon as i got approved i got my date it was scary but i did a lot of praying. I also looked at it like if i don't risk having the surgery i will die sooner than i wanted to anyways b/c i wasn't very healthy and it would just get worse.

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 was very supportive of me having the surgery. I don't know what i would have done without them! It was harder for me to tell some members of my family and friends just bc i didn't know how they would react and i knew how some felt about the surgery and they wouldn't understand why i was choosing to have it. After my surgery everyone was very supportive. My family has been my rock throughout this whole process and i don't know what it would have been like to go through this journey without them and their support.

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

I waited until i got my surgery date to tell my employer b/c i wasn't comfortable with it. You never know how some people will act but since i've told them and throughout people at work were supportive as well. I answer a lot of questions everyday to different people who are curious but i don't mind that that's what i'm there for huh? I had my surgery on monday, feb 2 2009 i returned to work monday march 16, 2009 honestly i could have gone back sooner but i had fmla and wanted to be on solids for a good week or so by time i went back to work. I would highly recommend people to take off at least 6 weeks so you can get use to your daily routine and also know how your body is going to react with certain foods once on solids (even though that will always be on a day to day basis).

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

My hospital stay was great! The nurses were so nice and polite and patient. I went in on monday and left wednesday. Definitely want to bring a pillow for the car ride home (you need to hold on to it against your stomach) clothes, undergarments, toiletries, etc.

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

I didn't have any complications with the surgery thank God!

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 surgery it was ok. I was able to stop the pain meds shortly out. My anxiety is absolutely horrible now but shortly after surgery wasnt any worse than usual.

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

Well, i highly recommend to buy gas-x strips they will be your best friend from right out of surgery!! My stomach had felt like a ton of bricks i needed assistance my 1st week out with going to the bathroom, showering, getting in and out of bed, off and on the couch. Everyone is different though.

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

I only am about maybe 45 mins away so its not that difficult at all hasn't affected my aftercare either.

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 follow everything by the book first couple of weeks was chicken broth and jello on puree it was vream of wheat jello and yogurt when i started solids i couldn't tolerate any meat at all or milk. Still cant do milk but can do dairy products and can tolerate meats better as long as they are not dry.

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

Pretty good...i would walk around my house and we went out to stores, i'd bring my pillow with me to hold on to in the beginning but im glad i did it you feel better afterward. In the beginning i was drained easily but it was worth it!

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

complete multivitamin, calcium citrate (500mg), b-1, b-12, b-complex

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?

Definitely hair loss, i just cut my haor b/c of that. The more weight i lost the more uncomfortable it is to sleep b/c not use to feeling bones when laying down but thats ok i haven't freaked out about losing my hair or anything it will grow back. Gas has been a problem but once again gas-x strips are lovely!

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

Getting insurance approval was mine!!!

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

I go to my monthly support groups. I really enjoy them. It is very helpful to have people you can relate to.

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

Since i had the lap r-n-y they aren't horrible i have 6 incisions the biggest one is on my left side, i have one almost on top of my belly button area and one off to the side from that then three teeny camera scars right below my chest...those have moved with the more weight i have lost.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

So far, none really. There have times where i have been stuck at the same weight for a few days but don't stress out!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, unfortunately people treat me differently with the weight loss...you get attention from people you never would have gotten it from before. That upsets me b/c i feel if i wasn't good enough to talk to then why am i all of a sudden good enough to talk to since ive lost the weight?!