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

I work in a hospital so I have been familiar with the procedure for quite a while. My first impression?? That it was something I wanted to do, but was too ashamed of myself to even make a dr's appointment to discuss it. It's almost like I felt that by not talking about my weight, I was able to keep it a secret. Then once I got the nerve to discuss it with my doctor, I made absolutely sure that I had tried everything else -- that it truly was my last resort.

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

Insurance approval was a snap for me. I had zero difficulties. My advice to others would be to make an appointment with your PCP and let him/her know what you are planning, and have him/her document every single ache, pain, health problem you have, as well as all diets and weight fluctuations you have experienced, just in case you need it for approval.

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

Do your research and know as much as possible about the procedure before you see your surgeon. It lets him/her know that you take this very seriously and are willing to put forth the effort and commit to making it work. Also, the more you know, the easier it is for you to pinpoint specific questions you may have. At my first visit, I had researched both the Lap Band and Gastric Bypass. I was leaning toward Gastric Bypass because I felt I would be more successful at it than the Lap Band. I discussed the options with my surgeon and he, too, felt that Gastric Bypass was the best option for me. Because of all the research I had done, I was able to make an educated decision, with the help of my physician, as to which procedure would best work for me.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My final straw -- I actually have three of them. First, I went to a theatrical production and did not fit comfortably in the chair. Actually, the people beside me did not fit comfortably in their chairs, either, because I took up all of mine and half of theirs. I was humiliated and did not fully enjoy the performance because I sat there the whole time thinking about what they must have been thinking about me. Second, I saw a picture of myself and was shocked at how large I was. Not that I thought I was thin, but I truly had no idea how enormous I had grown. The person in the picture was NOT the person I saw in the mirror every day. And lastly, I had tried every diet on the face of the earth, only to have minimal, short-lived success followed by an all-plus-more-weight gain. I had, at one point, lost over 100 lbs, only to regain 150. Once I realized that this was going to be what the rest of my life would be like, gaining, losing, gaining more, losing, gaining even more, I knew that surgery was my only alternative -- my complete last resort.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After much research and a consultation with my surgeon, I decided to have Gastric Byspass. I chose this procedure because I felt it would give me the best overall and long term effects. With the amount of weight I have to lose and my history of lacking control over food and binge eating, this procedure would force me to change my habits where the Lap Band would not necessarily have.

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 was not overly concerned with complications or death from the surgery. I trust my surgeon completely and knew that I was in the best of hands.

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 friends were all extremely supportive. The only person I really had to convice I was doing the best thing for myself was my mother. She was scared to death that I might suffer complications from the surgery. But once she did her own research and learned about the procedure and my surgeon, she too agreed that it was the best route for me to take. Since my surgery, I have gotten nothing but support from everyone around 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 very upfront with my manager and told her exactly what I was doing. She was very supportive. (I actually got my first Get Well card from her.) I took off three weeks from work, although I could have gone back after two.

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

My hospital stay was wonderful! The facility my surgeon uses has a specialized bariatric unit with specially trained staff and accomodations. Everyone there was extremely sensitive to my individual needs and treated me like a person instead of a patient. I stayed two nights in the hospital. The things most important to bring - a comfy pillow, toothbrush, and someone to talk to while you sit around and lay in bed :)

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

I have had ZERO complications -- I have had an incredible recovery.

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

My date was set six weeks away. At first, I was disappointed because I was SO overly anxious to get it done. But time flew by and my date was here before I knew it. I never really had any anxiety - not even the morning of my procedure. I was just so anxious to get it behind me and start my new life.

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

Try to be active. Don't let yourself just sit around. The more you move, the faster you heal and the better you feel! I would take several tiny walks up and down the driveway until I was able to walk on my treadmill (which was actually only after a few days). The worst part was finding a comfortable sleeping position. I ended up on the couch for about a week and a half until I could comfortably lay in my bed. My pain was minimal and I used hardly any of my pain medication.

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

Not far -- just about a half-hour 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.

At this point, I'm only two weeks out, so I'll have to come back later and add on. So far, I have stuck to my surgeon's post-op diet of liquids and soft foods. Thus far, I've tolerated everything I've tried. I do watch the sugar grams of every food that goes into my body to avoid any bad reaction or dumping. I have pushed it a bit, and consumed nearly 20 sugar grams at one time (flavored cream of wheat made with skim milk) and had no problems. I have yet to feel "full" --- I do limit myself to 4 oz meals, though. I also do not feel hungry and have to keep an alarm to remind myself when it's time to eat. One thing I have noticed is that things do not taste the same as they used to -- some things taste better (milk, tuna), while others are not as good as I remember (chicken noodle soup, pudding).

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

I was up and walking the day after my surgery. That was the only way to help ease the gas pains I experienced afterwards. At two weeks out, I am walking 30 minutes a day on the treadmill at a brisk pace and do not find my mobility limited at all.

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

I take one chewable multi-vitamin (Flintstones Complete) and three Tums (for calcium) in the morning.

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?

The worst problem I have had was finding a comfortable sleeping position. The couch was the really the only place that I slept well for the first week or so. At a little less than two weeks post-op, I was able to return to my bed and at two weeks out, was able to sleep on my stomach (with the aid of a pillow). The only other pain I have had is gas pains, which I just have to get up and walk out. They were consistent the first few days but now only occur once in a great while.

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

The worst part about the entire process was simply me having to admit to myself that my weight was not something I was going to be able to control on my own. I went through a stage where I felt like a failure for having to resort to surgery. But once I started looking at obesity as a disease, I changed my mind quickly. If someone has cancer, he is not looked down upon for seeking treatment or having surgery to try to get rid of it. Once I began to look at obesity in a similar way, I felt better about myself and lost all shame in regards to my decision to have surgery to rid myself of this disease.

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

I have been to one support group meeting. I found it very helpful to talk to other people who are in the exact same position as I am in. I have received tremendous support from friends and family, but it's just not quite the same as sitting in a room of people who have gone through what you have gone through.

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

My incisions are all very small and will hardly leave scars at all. I have one 2 inch incision and five smaller 1/2 inch incisions. I expect them all to fade away to almost nothing.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None to date, but will update i necessary. But a little off topic, one thing I had not prepared myself for was the swelling and fuid weight gain after surgery. I left the hsopital ten pounds heavier than I had gone in. But -- that weight was all gone within a week.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I have not yet noticed being treated differently, but I have not yet experienced a tremendous weight loss -- I'm just two weeks post-op and have lost 20 pounds. However, in the past, I had lost 100+ pounds and was treated very differently - I was looked at as being smarter, prettier, more personable/approachable, etc. I had never realized the impact weight has on how you are perceived and treated until I experienced it first hand.