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

My husband and I were watching 48 hours one night and they did a story of a mother and daughter who had the surgery done. That night I was online until about 3AM reading about the surgery and seeing if our insurance would cover it? I was pumped up from the beginning. That night my husband and I talked serious about it and he said " I am behind you no matter what".

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

I went in with an open mind and a long list of questions to ask. I wanted to make sure I had NO surprises and the Dr even told me things that I had not written down. We was AWESOME!!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I went into my first consultation thinking to myself that I am going to have this surgery!! I wasn't going to allow anyone else to keep my from being healthy and happy.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My dr and I both agreed on which one to have.He gave me the play by play on all the procedures and we discussed them.He would try the lap RNY but if it failed then I would have to do the open 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?

My biggest fear was something going wrong and I would have diarrhea throughout my life. The vomiting I can handle to a point but not controlling by bowels was something different. I never considered my dying. I am pretty healthy and I had lots of reasons to live =o)

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 parents were VERY sopportive like my husband. The only one negative was my mom's older sister. She's a nurse and wanted to talk me out of it. She cried on the phone and said she didn't want to lose me and didn't want my son growing up without his mommy. Gee, thanks for the support!!! I wouldn't have told anyone except for my parents and my husband. Everyone else would have to see the after effects. Now everyone is super. I think the negative people realize that I have control of what happens to me and they are shocked when they see me of how great I loof and feel.

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

My hospital stay was restful. I did exactly what the staff told me to do and did not argue back. I had myself up the same night on the day I had the surgery. I wanted to recover and get out. I had to go 5 days without seeing my son and that alone gave me the strength to kick it into high gear. I only took the basic necessaties to the hospital and when my husband came to the hospital he went and bought me some magazines.

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

I have had NO complications thus far. 6 months and counting!!!

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 was extremely tired. My mom MADE me stay with her 2 weeks after the surgery so she could help with my son. He's pretty much self-reliant but she just wanted to make sure I was looked after and my husband works a lot.

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

Take it easy. Do not over-do things or you will feel the repercussions of your actions. The house will be cleaned sometime or do like I did, hire someone to clean your place the 1st few weeks or months.

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

I went from Ft Rucker AL to Ft Gordon GA. About 6-7 hours. They only pain was that they sent me home on day 5 because I was doing so well but they had to leave the staples in so I had to return the next week to get them out. Luckily I was staying at my mom's in GA and had only a 3 hr drive.

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 can not eat fried foods. They do not like me at all. I like chicken, grilled or baked. Pork grilled or baked. Some seafood I can eat if it's not battered and deep fried. Bread is very limited because it feels me up fast. I don't care for milk anymore and at my house we use to go through a gallon a week and now I throw away a 1/2 gallon because it goes bad. My grocery bill has been cut into half. I eat from a saucer plate. My 3 year old eats more than I do. I don't eat sweets either. They have given me diarrhea a few time so I quit trying to eat them. Since I am female, during that time of the month is when I get the craving for something sweet, so if I eat just 1 M&M I am content. At least I can say I have had my chocolate. I am NEVER hungry. Remember that empty feeling you get in your tummy that tells you it wants something, well that doesn't happen after the surgery.I have to remind myself to eat.

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

The energy level has slowly increased. I started back nice and steady. I am now walking at least 3 times a week and chasing my 3 year old around. My husband has started me on some light weights and sit ups ( like those are going to help) hahahahaha

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

I take a multi vitamin and I recently started taking Zinc for my hair loss.

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?

It didn't take long for me to decide that the vomiting had to go!! I had to slow down eating and eat the right things. My hair loss just recently started about a month ago and it's not so bad, my hair is already cut to my ears, it's just coming out in chunks here and there. I slept fine the whole time since my surgery. I think last week was the 1st time I have taken a sleeping agent since the bypass.

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

the NG tube that was in my nose,it felt so yucky when they pulled it out but I barely remember it.

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

I have not been to any support group. My family is my rock and the love that my husband has showed me is all I need =o)

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

It's what I expected. It goes from my the end of my breastbone to the tip of my belly button. It's sort of thick at the top and gets smaller as it goes down.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Each time I get into a new weight category I celebrate. From the time I got out of the 200's, 190's etc....... I have been so proud that the surgery worked this good for me. No one can do this but you, you have to want it bad enough!!!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

sometimes. There are people you know that are just so jealous they can't stand it so I have kept my distance from them. They aren't going to get my spirits down!! I have noticed that my husband LOVES to introduce me to colleagues of his that we see on post. He use to just tell me who they were but now I think he love showing me off!!