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

A close friend of mine had it...with amazing results. I thought that people would make fun of me for even considering it, but then I thought, what's the harm in even finding out if I am a candidate for surgery? It was informative and also scary from the get-go, but has been oh so worth it!

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

Be patient. I was incredibly lucky. I had good insurance and I think the polycystic info I provided to my insurance helped as well. Be sure to be informative and kind in your correspondance with your provider. And don't give up. I was expecting a fight and was pleasantly surprised when I was approved on the first try. I have since felt like it was just meant to be!

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

I had a fantastic visit, other than the wait. My doctor was informative, patient, and willing to answer any and all questions I or my mother could think of. My suggestion would be to really sit down and think of every possible question you can ask your doctor...and write down the answers for later. This takes some of the scariness out of the entire process. And make sure that you like your doctor, obviously! A great bedside manner can go a long way.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The realization that at age 22, my life was getting worse, health-wise, and I was doing all I could at that time. I have never felt better since!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Lap was the option preferred by my doctor, and is a quicker recovery and fewer/smaller scars. So I decided to go with that.

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?

Your fears are very real. I didn't go to a support group because I was busy with work and school--YOU SHOULD GO. I missed out on vital information that can take out a lot of the scariness in this whole process. Ask your doctor's office any and all questions, read informative books, and use Obesityhelp.com for support. I was frustrated after surgery because of the complications I felt...and I didn't even really feel that well until a good two-three months after surgery. If I had reached out to others, it could have made all the difference.

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 and close friends were supportive, although scared for me. Dying truly is a risk in this surgery, and the surgery itself is a serious one. I did have a few people try to talk me out of it, but I was persistent. Life has been more interesting since surgery, when more people who wouldn't talk to me before like to talk to me/compliment me now. I take the compliments for what they're worth--surface compliments and little else. My real friends are still there for me and are now cheering me on! I did some counseling prior to even looking into surgery and started working on my self-esteem then, so I was well on my way after surgery. I would recommend some good counseling to anyone...especially before and while you go through this whole process.

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

I was only working part-time while going to college full-time, so I ended up quitting my job, and only missing a couple of weeks of classes. I was going to only miss a few weeks of work, but I realized that that was putting a lot of pressure on me, so I decided to quit. I'm glad I did, because I had a few minor complications after surgery, then got a nasty strain of the flu because my immune system was still so low. So I really wasn't up to much of anything until a good three months post-op.

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

My stay in the hospital was hard. I couldn't remember staying overnight before, so the noises were weird for me, and I didn't get much sleep. I had surgery on a Thursday and got out by Saturday early evening. The harder part was actually at home! I would bring some things to keep you occupied, although I didn't read too much...just some magazines. You will sleep a lot. Bring some comfy slippers and a bathrobe to walk around in...walking around WILL make you feel better and heal faster! I also brought a stuffed dog to cling onto when I had to get the heprin shots (yuck).

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

Just a minor few...gas, bloating, throwing up/dry heaving, nausea. I was presribed a few things from my doctor for the nausea and gas because it was so unbearable after a few days. Other than that, I like gas-X a lot as well as Sugar-Free mint tums, smooth dissolve ones. Mint really helps with my nausea, even today. And WALKING! I walked around my house numerous times in the middle of the night those first few weeks. I would breathe in and out, cry a little, and walk, walk, walk. And eventually my tummy would settle down. When I started to feel better and braver, I began to walk outside during the day, and I was invigorated by the beautiful outdoors.

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 I got my surgery date, I was excited and didn't really think about it too much until the week or so before. Then I was nervous. The night before I don't think I slept at all. I prayed a lot, kept busy, and tried to keep on eating and exercising so it wouldn't be such a shock to my system later. I turned to family and friends for support, and that helped a lot too.

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

Don't expect to be superman two weeks out. It's ok to feel bad for even a couple months out. THIS IS A MAJOR SURGERY. I was frustrated because I didn't feel better for quite awhile. It comes in stages. You can sleep through the night...then on your side...eventually on your stomach...then you can eat a little more solid food...can walk longer...it all comes in stages. Be patient. It's ok to cry a little, just don't let it get the better of you. Keep trying. Breathe deep. Boy, did I learn the power of deep breathing! And don't push it...better to be a little "hungry" than experience your first dumping syndrome the first few weeks being home!

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

A half hour. I chose a hospital not too far away. Coming home was a challenge because my stomach was jumpy--understandably so, from the surgery.

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.

You start off with milky-things, like carnation instant breakfast. (People say "ugh" to it now, but I actually still have the chocolate ones for breakfast occasionally to get protein in.) Then you move on to broths, then soft foods like potatoes, then mashed up chicken salad or egg salad. I stuck with those for awhile. And loved sugar free jello...still do. Splenda is the best for sweetening things. I ate mashed up things for a long time and really only got into eating more solid things like chicken breast after several months of post-op. Things I still have a hard time with: macaroni/pasta, big fluffy breads, red meat/burgers, surgery cookies and cake (although I can handle a few peanut M&Ms from time to time), sodas, greasy or too fatty foods. The wonderful thing is being able to eat healthy--and enjoying it! My relationship with food has truly changed.

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

Low initially. But it came up amazingly when I walked, especially outside. I did get sidetracked because I caught the flu while recovering from surgery, and basically laid in bed for a few weeks because every smell, taste, and appearance of food made me nauseous. But after that my activity level went way up. Staying active makes me feel better and more energized, and helps the pounds come off (and stay off) faster!

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

Two multi-vitamins, B-12, and Cod Liver Oil every day.

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 and hair loss/thinning have been my most persistent side effects. Right after surgery I had everything: nausea, dumping, no sleep, side pains, hair loss, dry heaving, diarrehea, vomiting, etc. But when I get sick now (usually my fault), I get hot and sweaty and nauseous. And I am concerned about my hair...it was once thick and bushy, now it's so thin I've had to get it cut so it looks fuller. But I am working on upping my protein intake and vitamins so my hair will come back! No bald spots yet though. :)

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

Honestly, for me it was having the flu on top of the recovery process. I felt like I was going to die from nausea when I was awake. My family would say, "are you sure you aren't pregnant?" so I guess the ladies who've had this problem while pregnant know what I'm talking about! Otherwise I was ok. You really just have to focus, breathe, and take it day by day, hour by hour.

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

I never went to a support group...wish I had. VERY IMPORTANT!

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

I have five little scars from lap surgery. They are barely there. Better than I expected!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

No plateaus yet...although a little slow-down lately. Because of school, work, etc. starting back up, I have slowed down on my exercise, so this slow-down of dropping pounds has not been unexpected.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Some. A lot of people are curious because I am so open to it. But I am the same person I was before, only smaller! Luckily my family and friends still love me, big or small.