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

My family doctor after comming to see her and spilling out my gallons of tears, she finally brought up the option of WLS. At first I questioned it, it seemed to harsh, but i knew this was the only way to get out of my hole, so I looked into it for a year and was convinced! How could it hurt me? After all I was doing so bad, this couldn't be any worse. Boy, was I right! I don't know why I waited so long to do this!

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

I have a great insurance policy. Blue Cross PPO. It approved me on the fist try. My deductible was $250.00 which I paid on my pre-op appointment. My copay is $15.00 each visit. So, for me it was very unexpensive!

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

My wls doctor is wonderfull. Dr. Frye in Fresno, CA. He answered all of my questions! He also has orientation which along with a nurse they explain every detail. Be honest and up-front with your questions and answers. Don't be afraid to ask anything that is bothering you. You will get more out of it if you do than if you just let them do the talking.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

After researching for a year and speaking with a couple of co-workers that had the surgery I was convinced! I tried weight watchers, Jenny Craig and many other pill diets in that year with fairly low results. I knew this was the only way I could actually lose enough for it to be meaningfull. Not to mention healthier.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My doctor said that my insurance would only pay for a proximal and not the distal that I intended to have in the beginning. The RNY was what I had researched and seen results with my co-workers that worked best in the many years after surgery.

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 complications and side effects explained by the doctor were very serious. Yes, in fact I felt very, very scared even about dying. I did alot of praying to the LORD for his protection. Speaking with various people at the support groups I learned that most of the complications the doctor talked about happened to a very small percentage of people. I just had to take that chance. I'm glad I did.

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 were not happy about my decision to have surgery. They too were scared about the complications. Many friends said, to try it on my own first, (Ya, right! Like I hadn't!). Now, everyone compliments my weight-loss and are happy to see the new more energetic and thinner me.

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

I was out of work for a month. I did it during X-mas break so I would've been out for 3 weeks anyways, so really I only took off 1 week. My supervisor was exstatic. She had seen other co-workers and their results. She congratulated me and supported me all the way. I have a great boss!

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

I was in the Fresno Surgery Center for 3 days. The hospital is beautifull, and the staff are angels from heaven! They were all so nice and helpfull all the way through my complaining and nagging! Bring? Whatever you want cell, movies, your own night-gown any prescriptions you are taking. You'll be up and doing alot a walking so when you get back to your room you just want to rest. The hospital will provide you with towels, toothbrush and lotion, shampoo, etc.

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

PAIN!!! The nurses gave me more pain killers as I reguested them. Other than that, I had no complications after surgery, thank GOD!

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 cried, prayed and talked alot about it; especially the night before, it was hard to sleep. But thank GOD, he gave me peace as I went in to the hospital that morning. I finally put my life in GOD's hands and just went numb. I had like no feeling after that. I went under feeling pretty content having faith in GOD, that everything was going to be better when I woke up.

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

Little bit more pain, but still on pain medication. Not eating much, feels like nothing, but not hungry neither. Just like any other surgery you recover slowly but surely. Seeing the weight go off and feeling better everyday is your reward!

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

I traveled 2 hours driving to Fresno from Salinas. On my way home after surgery, my husband had to stop a couple of times for me to get off the car and walk for about 10 minutes. The doctor suggested I do this to avoid blood clots from sitting too long. When we hit small ditches and bumps it kinda hurt, but I was fine. Happy to get home to my own bed, (getting in and out is another story).

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.

Nothing! In the first 2 weeks all I ate was a couple of ounces of chicken noodle soup, ensure (diluted), crystal light and sugar-free jello. About 8 ounces in all, 3 times a day for 2 weeks. After that I moved to soft foods which were, 1/2 baked potatoe, or tuna with no mayo on 1 slice of bread(toast), or 1 egg. Two weeks of that and little by little added other different foods. Plenty of Water! 2 Liters a day or more. No cheese, no milk and no sugar!! No soft-drinks, No fruit-juice, no candy,ice-cream or cake/cookies. Cooked vegis only for a while, no lettuce and till my 4th month no fruit(now very little). I eat a little bit of cheese now. But try to limit it, since it slows down weight-loss. You will recieve a book on what to eat and not to eat at your pre-op appointment.

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

LOW! On a scale from 1-10 I had about a 2 in the first 2 weeks following surgery. Making it hard to get motivated to walk. Gas, will do it though, if you get gas you will want to walk! Energy level returns when you start eating more foods and lose the first 40#s or so, you'll love the feeling walking gives you.

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

I take 2 Centrums and am also taking vits. A and D. My liver isn't producing much of these, so I'm taking them to higher these in my blood levels. I also, take a protien shake everyday, (yuck, not soo bad).

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?

I'm in the 5th month of surgery and I only dumped once, because I tried fruit. Hair loss is the bugger right-now, thank GOD I had very thick hair, now I have thin hair, but still don't look bald! I have never vomitted. I stop eating if I feel grossed out or when I feel full. (I don't want to stretch my stomach.)

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

The worst part of the bariatric surgery is the PAIN. Even though the pain meds are great. You can minimize this but not totally get rid of it. Luckily it is only for the first week. (Head cravings, is also a biggie.) Prepare psychotically!

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

I go to my WLS support group meetings once a month. This has helped me alot because I share what I feel and so do others, comparing and finding out if it is normal or not. I enjoy going to the meetings and getting more helpfull information every time.

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

I had a laproscopic surgery. I have 7 small 1/2 to 1 inch scars on my tummy in a circle. Since, I'm still losing weight my scars are getting smaller as I shrink!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Yes, there have been a couple of plateaus. Frustrating, but I have noticed that if I drink more water and exercise just a little more, it goes right over! I never know why it happends but it does. Once it lasted 1 month! Talk about frustration, but when it broke I lost 8 pounds in one week!!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, when going into shopping centers, people open doors for me. Many people smile at me looking at my face not my body. No more bad looks, now it's with admiration! No more hints from my family either. I may say some even are envious.