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

I found out about it through my psychologist. My inital impression was "hmm...I'll get some more information on it"

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

I had no problem with my insurance approval. The doctor's office took care of pretty much everything. I had to go through a 3 month "physician monitored" diet/excercise/nutrition program. But since I had been on so many similar programs it wasn't anything new.

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 comfortable and informational. You can get the most out of the meeting if you read about and research the different types of surgeries available so you have an idea of what you want done and then do a more in depth search about your top surgery choices and come up with questions about what you read...also look at different help forums and then you can ask your surgeon about any concerns you have about risks other people have had. I also asked my surgeon what he recommended and what his personal success rates were and if he had had complications and what they had been and why they occured in past patients.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

It was a good opportunity for me to get me where I wanted to be, and my insurance covered it.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Personal choice and surgeon recommendation based on pre-existing health conditions.

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 had them. I didnt want to die in the pursuit of getting better! What helped me was talking to friends and getting statistics and talking to my surgeon and to a therapist. Also, the most soothing thing was to update my will and health care directives so that if there were any complications or if I died, then I was comforted by the thought of the people I cared about and my property would be taken care of and distributed.

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 close friends and my brother and father were very supportive. My mother hardly talked to me for the month leading to and for about 3 months after the surgery, she still doesnt approve of my decision and has a hard time talking about it. My boyfriend has continued to be a great source of support. I still havent told many people that I have had the surgery.

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

My boss was VERY supportive. She has been very patient and amazingly understanding with regard to doctor's appointments, the initial week off to recover, and with time off due to complications/illness/adjustments.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

I was bored stiff and it didnt really help to inform me of anything new that I couldnt have read in the introductory package of information. Plus, it was a 2 hour drive for me and a 1.5 hour meeting during the evening and then I had to drive home because I had to work very early the next morning (it was in the middle of the week, boo).

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

I arrived for surgery at 5am, I went in for surgery at 730am, I was done with the surgery and awake around 1030am (and yes there was some pain as the anesthesia wore off but they immediately asked what my pain level was and adjusted the pain meds to help and placed me in a comfortable position and gave me a heated blanket), I was up walking around for the first time by 1pm, and felt pretty good by bedtime that evening. I was released the next afternoon. I was there for a total one day and one night and a part of the next day. I was off the strong pain meds and on tylenol by day #2 after surgery. The most important things to bring are: A FRIEND! CUTE COMFORTABLE PJS! and SOMETHING TO KEEP YOU BUSY!

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

Some, not terribly bad ones. 1. Tingling and numbness in my extremities for no apparant reason, occurs while standing, running, (the doctors are still working on this) 2. Very nauseated/vomiting mostly constant, but worse with meals (take pills for this) 3.

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

Pumped and excited and nervous! Oh, and of course terrified that I wouldnt lose the required amount of weight first. I exercised!

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

They were good, I was sore from the incisions and SUPER ITCHY, but I was off pain meds other than Tylenol after day #2! I was often nauseated and had protein shakes and protein powder in everything (applesauce, mashed potatoes, baby food, etc) for nutrition and chicken broth for soothing relief, I wasn't hungry at all. By the way, the first protein powder I had after surgery (what I had tried before surgery and didnt bother me) smelled horrid and I had the worst time putting it into things because it would make me gag, Im not sure why but I had to get a different one. Also some foods will make you sick, when I was a teenager and before surgery I used to snack on baby food peaches, but after surgery that and regular peaches just won't stay down. My surgery was on a Thursday and I returned to work the following week by Wednesday for a couple hours at a time and then was back to work full time by the Monday after that! I was excited about losing weight.

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

I had to travel about 2 hours. It really only affects my aftercare if my primary doctor (amazingly understanding and good at communicating with my surgeon) is not able to help me when I am feeling ill due to a surgery-related matter. Then it's a pain because I have to drive so far when I already don't feel well. Other than that many things can be done locally after the surgery (blood draws) and sent to the surgeon via fax or contact by phone.

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.

Could: pure protein (eggs, chicken, ham, tofu, etc...) , atkins low carb/sugar shakes, saltine crackers, chicken broth, decaf tea, water, mashed potatoes, applesauce, dietary fiber Can't: >12g sugar/serving, >5g fat/serving, caffeine, carbonation, drinks with meals, food with high carbs or carbs without much dietary fiber Won't stay down/gross: peaches, noodles, bread (feels like theres a weight in my stomach if I eat more than 1/2 slice), 1st protein powder I follow my surgeon's advice pretty strictly. Its always protein first and hydrate (but no drinks with meals). I wasn't hungry at all for the first three or so months after surgery and now at 6 months post-op Im still not hungry terribly often. At first I ate liquids and pureed foods with protein powder, then progressed to soft foods by 3 months I was getting sick from ketosis and so I was allowed to eat my first carbs (saltine crackers) to help with nausea and such, now at 6 months I eat about 1/2 cup or so of protein per meal with maybe a tablespoon worth of something with dietary fiber per meal if Im not already full by then. I stop eating after 20-30 mintues no matter what, never take seconds, cut my food up well, and I stop eating when I feel full. I supplement 1-2 times a day with protein shakes or greek yogurt/cottage cheese.

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

It increased and decreased. I get really sore the day or two after my B12 shot so Im not terribly enthused about activity then. When I seem to lose a lot of weight in one or two weeks I will feel exhausted the next week. Other than that overall my activity level has increased some. I worked out sbout 4 times a week before surgery and I still do that, sometimes more if you count wii games as a workout (which I dont). When it is easier to move...you kind of want to move I think.

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

Calcium citrate with vitamin D (chewable or crystals), iron, thiamin (B1), B12 shot, multivitamin with iron, vitamin D, atkins low-carb shakes, miralax

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 is the biggest side effect I experience; it started about 2-3 weeks post-op and persists, I take a medication every time I eat now because for a period of time I felt so nauseated I stopped eating. I have an annoying numbness or tingling in my extremities occasionally while doing any activity and that started 2-3 weeks post-op and persists but hasnt changed in intesity or duration, doctors are working on it. Also, honestly, constipation is a big one, never been constipated in my life...didnt know what was going on the first time it happened and it freaked me out...I now take Miralax which really helps.

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

Not knowing how your body was going to respond and the emotional and mental changes that come with your body changes.

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

There's a support group associated with the surgeon's office...I went twice. Didn't help much at all. I get support through friends and family and a therapist.

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

I honestly havent looked at my scars (I have 7) in a couple months...so they must not be that concerning to me. I guess Im more involved with the different areas of loose skin and such.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

The weight-loss for me has just started to slow down, which is nice cause I felt like my body had been hit by a train at times, but I am still loosing weight, just not as fast...although right now at 6 months out I'm 5 lbs from the goal weight I set at the surgeon's office pre-op so I am estatic.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. Chances are you'll notice it too, and it's a bit perturbing at times.