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

My sister was always talking about it, she watched the procedure on TV all the time.

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

Getting the approval from the insurance people was easy, since my BMI was so high AND i have Diabetes.

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

My first visit was scary, would this guy even okay me for the surgery? was on my brain nonstop. He was really nice though and talked about what weight he thought I would get down to.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had thought about it off and on, but when my parents brought up the idea to me, because they were so concerned that my Diabetes was now uncontrollable, it started to become a real thing to think about.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Well I initially thought about doing the Lap-Band. I mean, that can be adjusted ,etc and just seemed less extreme. But it bothered me that the weight loss was minimal. And then the doctor mentioned that with a Gastric Bypass, the likelihood of having diabtees trouble was only 10%. 90% of surgery patients had NO Diabetic trouble after, so that was it for me.

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 wasn't worried about dying, just the pain. And i won't lie, it was extremely painful. But I can say, it will get better, and once you get home, it gets better day by day!!

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 was HUGELY supportive. My mother stayed int he hospital, in one of those chairs all 4 days i was there. My sisters and parents took care of me day and night once i got home. The friends I chose to tell were extremely supportive and there for me. You need to give yourself a strong support system, don't include anybody that will make you feel bad or like you did something wrong.

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

My hospital stay was horrible.First of all, i woke up in the recovery room choking of the tube.And they didn't believe at first that i was choking on it, not until they found for themselves that the tube had curled in my throat. Then I had the unfortunate luck of getting a Friday through Monday stay.Do not go then!! The nurses,etc were horrible, they were so mean, that when I had my 1 nice nurse, I started bawling my eyes out. I was so used to the unkindness and the blase attitude that when this 1 woman was kind to me, that was when I lost it. I was also put in a room with a non-WL roomate, who had food in and people talking all the time, which made it IMPOSSIBLE to sleep or recover.By Monday I was having panic and anxiety attacks, that I was threatening my mom and sister, that if they didn't get me released NOW, i was leaving anyway. I couldn't handle it anymore. Bring already-moist face cleansers, and toothbrush,etc. Bring changes of clothes and towels. Bring your own pillows. Bring a spaghetti server to scratch the hard to reach areas, cuz morphine makes you itch!!

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

I had this pullinh sensation that was very painful, apparently my incision was higher than others, so wearing a bra aggrivated it even more.

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 had only 1 week from the day I got my date until i went in! I was so nervous I was so scared, i could barely breathe. I talked a lot with my mom and family, they would try and reassure me.And I stated on my dpression and anxiety meds.

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

I needed help for weeks. I needed help getting out of bed, taking a shower I could do, but I needed help getting the PJ's on after I put my underwear + bra on(I was not about to have help with that). I got rid of my binder, my sister needed hers after, but me it just felt better without it on. I needed people to get me crushed ice and drinks, to get me my pills,etc. I was in a lot of pain, so I didnt go ont he computer,etc for weeks.

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

I traveled to Middlebury which is 30-40 minutes away.

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 still can't eat pasta or scrambled eggs.They make me sick. Milk was my friend and so were saltines. I had to water down my sugar free koolaid for the first few weeks I was out, until it tasted watered down. I ate smashed up SF popsicles immediately after I was home.Chipped ice was great. Shakes made my moms way i could handle and still like to have. I still only eat white or italian bread, anything else I have trouble with. I have to be careful with sweets, but I do have them, which is nice.Just had my first little piece of apple pie in over a year!!Yay! Email me for more, trust me I have scads of suggestions!!

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

Zilch. I walked the hallways of my home, and took short walks outside a few times, but I rested other than that. You need the time to heal.

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

I take Flintstones complete everyday, and calcium and b-12 supplements.

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?

Dumping is still a big problem i have. And the saliva in my mouth is problematic, it in itself makes me need to vomit, but I don't and sometimes I really wish i could. Hair loss has been significant, I have lost about half, lucky for me I had such BIG thick hair, you can't tell the way my sister can tell with hers. Allt hese problems stil persist but the said 1 and 1/2 to 2 years recovery time, so it's okay for now.

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

The hospital stay and the pain. And sleeping on your back for so long, especially when i am a side sleeper!!

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

I didn't go. I am not a big talker, and am extremely shy, so I talkt o my family about stuff.

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

My scar is not doing great.The top half is going great, but the bottome half is still raised and really purple/pinkinsh. I thought it would be better by now. And it gets itchy a lot.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had a plateau the last few months and it is horrible. I excercise and everything but the weight loss is dead or really slow!!:(

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I did get compliments for awhile, which I didn't really believe, i have ahard time seeing myself different.