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

My husbands First class had had a version of the surgery done 20 years ago. The idea was first brought up to me by my PCM and I just ran with it

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

It was so easy. TriCare makes you jump through hoops for sure, but it was quick and painless.

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

It was nerve wracking for me. I didn't know if I was fat enough to qualify for the surgery and was scared I'd be told to gain weight. But its not like that with the Navy and TriCare. My advice is to write down questions beforehand and DO YOUR HOMEWORK. The more knowledgeable you are..the less time you spend wasting time on stupid redundant questions...the faster you get your surgery date!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Talking to family and friends helped kind of. But ultimately, I had had enough of being the size I was and knew what I could be.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

It was made for me really. I have Lupus so my choices were limited. I decided that SOMETHING was gonna happen, and my surgeon told me his recommendations.

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 didn't have any. I'm 28...I figured if it was my time to go then so be it, but damnit..I'm young enough to be brought back lol

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?

it was 50/50 positive and negative. The Skinny people wondered why I couldn't just lose the 150 lbs of excess weight I had by MESELF. My mother is excited that "she finally gets her beautiful daughter back". The rest of my side of the family didn't think I had the guts to stick to the diet. Yet everyone else was in my corner including my husband!

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

College degree and no job..sad aint it lol

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

It was way too long. 4 hours is a long time even with breaks. But those are the hoops the Navy makes you jump through to make sure you're not some crazy person who just wants to be cut

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

Honestly Awful. Seeing people die and in the process of was not fun. Unfortunately the Step Down Unit was located within the ICU...scary stuff. I was there for 3 days total (banging the doors to get out) Most important thing? Hair Rubber Bands lol and a safety pin in case they dont give you one (drainage tube:pin it to your gown)

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

they were prepared to deal with my asthma..BUT...I am allergic to morphine and started itching as soon as they put my IV in post op. It wasn't until 3 am when I was scratching my skin off and crying did someone realize they had given me a morphine derivative. Not my finest moment.

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

Fine! REALLY tired...extremely sore. No anxiety..just wanted the soreness to go away

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

Eating was Gnarly. Not a fan of the shakes after having been on a liquid diet pre-op, only to continue post op. Expect to not be hungry, and be ok with that.

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

not far at all. Portsmouth Naval Medical Center is just through a tunnel from Norfolk, VA

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.

Chicken is not my friend...in ANY FORM. I've just been taking eating really slowly, and have really been able to eat anything I want within reason. But..catch is..1/2 a cup fills you up quick! Milk and Orange Juice were hard to keep down at first, but thats coming around.

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

Nill in the Beginning. But I'm up to swinging for the fences now and can't wait to get a personal trainer!

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

Womens Everday Multivitamin, Whey Protein (GNC is GREAT), Calcium Citrate, and B-12. I crush everything into power and put it in a smoothie or in yogurt. At first it was really hard to hit the protein requirements...but I've got it down pat now.

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 Vomiting still plague me. Me and the porcelain god are friends. It took me eating too much, too fast, PUKING several and by that I mean at least 3 dozen times to realize that I need to slow down and CHEW. I'm 6 weeks post op and sleeping fully on my stomach still makes me puke. Something about that position just makes me automatically

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

The Drainage Tube hands down. I can handle catheters, Inept Nurses who try to kill me with meds I'm highly allergic to, and the gas pain, but man oh man I could have ripped that nasty tube out myself and been ok with that. I didn't know it could have been pinned up...so it just hung, and hurt SO BAD. it took weeks after the surgery to be able to let someone even barely touch me on that side of my abdomen bc of that tube. PIN IT TO YOUR GOWN

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

The First thursday of every month are our meetings. Honestly I wish they'd do more. Its tough to wait a whole month. EXTREMELY important. Who else knows exactly what you're going through!!!

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

I have 5 incisions of varies sizes. 6 weeks out there still a reddish pink but they're healing nicely

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I was stuck in the 280's for a while and that miffed me off lol. I haven't seen the underside of 300 in years and I get stuck. But I just stepped up my activity and finally got out of the 80's.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Um...yes and no. Everyone who has seen me can see a difference in my face and neck. I personally can't tell a difference. BUT..the scale is going down and my clothes are falling off me so its all good.