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

I found out about WLS from the various advertisements on television and wanted to know what it entailed and would it be something for me at this time of my life.

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

My experience with getting insurance approval for surgery was a good one. I called my insurance company first to find out if they covered bariatric surgery and if so how much, how long would I be in the hospital. I did my research early.

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

My first visit with my surgeon was very positive. He made me feel very comfortable and answered all of my cooncerns and worries. I came prepared with a sheet of questions which he cordially answered. My suggestions to people going in for their first meeting is to do their research first on the surgery via articles, youtube, phamplets, internet and come prepared with a list of questions on a sheet to ask your surgeon so that you can feel comfortable with your decision to do WLS.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I finally decided to have the surgery after several unsuccessful attempts at losing weight. I was also in the early stages of High Blood Pressure experiencing Virtigo at different times when my stress levels were abnormally high. I also suffered from horrific joint pain in my knees and legs which made standing, walking and climbing up stairs a painful task.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After sitting with my doctor and talking to him about both surgeries, I felt that gastric bypass was more sensible for me because I didnt want to keep going back and forth for adjustments of a lap band and also I wanted quicker results with gastric bypass than with lap band.

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?

The fears I had with the surgery were more with anesthia. I did not know how my body would react under general anesthia and that bothered me. Also, there were concerns with possible hemoraging that I worried about but overall I trusted God to see me through this surgery and he did!

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?

I decided that this was a very personal decision for me and that I was the one who was going to have this based on how I felt internally and that I was not going to be influenced by everyone else's opinions and feelings towards something that was going to affect "my" life not theirs. So I chose to tell my immediate family of my husband, three children and my mom and all members were supportive and caring and understood my reasons for the decision.

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

I did not notify my employer at that time. I simply told them I had to have surgery and will be out of work for about a month because in all honesty it was none of their business and my decision to have this was not going to affect my performance at work accept make me healthier in my job description.

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

My hospital stay was very comfortable and caring. I stayed in the hospital for 3 days. The hospital suppplied many of my toiletries. However, I found a head wrap, body wash, fragrance, wipes, and a blood circulating garment for my legs to be quite helpful in my stay.

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

I did not have any complications from the surgery and recovered quite rapidly.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

When I got my surgery date I was so excited and the anxiety I felt two weeks before made me nervous and a bit impatient as I was so ready to begin what I felt was a new lease on life. Any anxiety I felt, I spent reading literture on WLS, or speaking to my doctor about any concerns I was having and it all helped to relieve my mind.

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

My first weeks from the hospital was a little different. My husband took such great care of me with making sure I was taking my meds, getting the correct ounces of soups and liquids throughout the weeks and just being a comfort to me. So it helped me a great deal. My insurance nurse Ms. Grace and my doctor's medical assistant Debbie helped me with many of my questions after surgery and that helped considerably. Also, people should expect to still get hungry and want a cheeseburger or fried chicken meal but must try to adhere to the new diet your doctor will put you on after surgery. People must remember it is important to get your rest as it is so important in the recovery process. Also, as the weight is coming off, try not to weigh yourself every day as it can lead to high anxiety and depress you if you have not lost a pound for the day. Weigh yourself once a week in the mornings, naked to truly see the results of the surgery.

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

I only had to travel 15 minutes to the hospital.

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.

In the beginning it was so hard because I was on a pure liquid diet right after surgery and could not eat solid food for another week and that was hard because I still desired a Whopper or Steak. The second week moved into shakes & liquids, the third week, soft puree foods which was like taunting me because I still wanted the taste of regular solid food in my mouth, well the fourth week was solid foods but i had to remember to really chew the food or else if I didnt I would get a really sick feeling and throw up whatever I ate. Also certain dry foods like steak, breast of chicken or dry foods without gravy or excessive liquids was hard to swallow or digest and I would end up throwing them up to. At times, I would result to eating some sugar foods or ice cream which I loved but I found out later found out they didnt love me, I would experience dumping and would not try that again. You learn as you go on what foods agree with you and what foods do not once you are in solid foods. Like for a long time I could not eat pork but now I can once I got to 4 months post op. Stick with your nutritionist to help you get that high protien grams a day and keep you on the right track.

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

My activity level in the beginning consisted of getting a moderate walk in my neighborhood for 30-60 minutes a day. My husband would walk with me and it would be personal time together and that really helped me in the activity. Then later when I got the doctor go ahead, I started back at the gym where I would do 30 minutes on the elliptical machine then 30 minutes toning arms or legs depending on the day of the week it was. I kept this up consistently doing 4 gym days a week. Later I got into cycling at the gym which was a lot of fun, strenous but exciting!

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

I take a chewable 1200mg of Calcium, multiple chewable vitamin, prevacid, and my cingular med.

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 only experience vomitting when I ate too fast and dumping when I would cheat and eat high sugary foods that I should not eat. Since then being 6 mths post op, I can digest some sugar no more than 18 grams a day anything more than that causes cramping and dumping. A post op WLS patient should be prepared to take in at least 60 grams of protein a day and that can sometimes be very hard. In not getting enough protein a day, I have experienced some hair thinning over the course of time but I am doing a lot better now with my protein intake, a good hair regimen and excerise.

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

I would say the worst part about the entire bariatric surgery process would be the delay in having the surgery done sooner.

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

The aftercare support group/program is definitely one the Fairfield Bariatric Center. They offer such support before and after surgery and will answer your questions and concerns anytime and I love that. Also I found the ObesityHelp.com to a very resourceful program. I love my groups, and the people on the site give you so much encouragement, inspiration, and support. The OH Events have also been very resoureful and enriching as well as giving you much needed info on nutrition, excerise, sex, surgery, and so much more...

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

I have very minimal scars from the four port holes made during surgery. I use a scar cream "Walgreens Scar Gel" every day that has lightened the scars considerably. I knew there would be some scarring after surgery but it is so minimal you really dont notice them.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Actually at 6 months post op, I am finding that the weight is coming off a lot slower now. Last week I did not lose any weight but stayed at 188 for two weeks, now this week I have lost only 1 pound and 4 ounces. I still continue to walk and tone but just noticing a plateau of some sort now.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I have noticed people treating me a lot different now that I have lost the weight. I have landed a corporate job that I would not have been considered for months before. I have men of all races looking, complimenting me and trying to take me out on a date. And my friends and family are just floored when they see me now and cannot believe it is me.