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

I had a friend who had the lapband and that is when I seriously looked at WLS. Her success is minimal but she knows why and refuses to fix it. I believe it is a tool to help lose weight and keep weight off and not a miracle cure. You have to want it, work for it and work to keep it gone.

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

I am still working on getting approval. Kaiser has got to be the most confusing of all insurances. They won't give you a straight answer to save your life.

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

We had a group orientation with a surgeon at our facility. While he wasn't my surgeon, he was chief of surgery and also performs bariatric surgery. It was very informative although with my research I was already prepared for the most part. Everyone should take a list of questions to any meeting with any person who will play a part in their surgical care.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

After tons of research, I believe I am healthy other than my weight and weight related ailments (non accepted for comorbidities though). I know I can make this a success and it will be a hard trip but well worth it in the end.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Kaiser only does RNY.

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 fear is there but I feel I am healthy enough to get through this without too many complications.

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?

Most of my family is behind me, but not all. I am still trying to make them all understand why I am doing this.

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

I am not employed.

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

My hospital stay was like any other...it had it's good points and bad points. I was in for 3 days, the first day was surgery and care was great that day. Second day was post op and I had the nurse from hell. Third day was post op and my nurse was sick! However, all the night nurses were great! Chapstick, baby wipes, toothbrush and toothpaste, music, journal and going home clothes (make sure they are bigger than you as you swell).

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

Not intitially-about two weeks out, I got dehydrated and ended up back in the hospital overnight. The next day I found an infection and ended up with cellulitis and on antibiotics to fix that up. Then at about 1.5 months, I ended up in the ER with kidney stones from lack of hydration. After that things got much better.

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 only had a week and a half. I went from high to low and back again. I just thought about life after surgery and how much better I am going to feel!

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

Normal tiredness from surgery, a little pain, sore butt from nasty hospital beds. Then I had a few small complications and had to deal with those. I didn't sleep in my own bed for about 2 months.

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

About an hour, it's not a bad drive really.

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 am on stage 2. I have had so far with no problems: cream soups, cottage cheese, yogurt, popsicles, fudgesicles, creamsicles, applesauce, water and juices (all sugar free). I am now able to eat almost everything-fatty foods, fried foods do me in, so I stay away from those. I can eat sugar but not too much.

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

Week 1-very low energy, easily tired-stayed that way for about 2 months. After month 2 my energy slowly came back and I didn't tire as much. I am now energetic and don't get tired at all unless I am sick or had a long day before hand.

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

I take 2 chewable Centrum, and 4 Tums daily as well as a sublingual B-12 twice a week. 2 Centrum Chewables a day, B-12 sublingual twice a week.

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?

Sleep problems due to not being comfortable-one week post op. Hair loss at about 3 months up to 8 months-not too bad though, still have plenty left.

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

So far? The actual surgery and recovery-pain and soreness.

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

I am very active on the CA board here on OH. I go to at least 2 monthly organized support meetings and try to get together with other WLS friends as often as possible. Very important-I don't know what I would do without it all!

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

Two of my incisions have healed and are barely noticeable, the other 4 got keloids and are red and bumpy as a result.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I don't remember any major plateaus, I gradually have lost and only stalled out for a week or so at a time.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

My friends treat me the same. I notice some changes in casual encounters-people that had met me and never socialized much now socialize with me more. It seems people approach me more often now.