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

I was doing resurch, and found OH. This has been my support network since my decision. I was scared, but at 335+ pounds I was ready to change my life.

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

It wasn't as hard as I'd heard. Get in early, expect a wait of at least 6 months. Expect to loose SOME weight (I managed to loose about 20# pre-op) and keep fighting for it!

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

I was VERY impressed with my surgeon. He came off seeming knowledgable, one of the founding fauthers of the surgery. I was willing to live with a large open RNY scar, so I could get this guy who knew his stuff! Be ready for a long lecture, bring all your questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My weight, my lifestyle, and the fact that I was tested as pre-diabeties 2. I was not happy the way I was!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The surgeon I choose does open RNY only. I knew I wanted RNY based on the amount of weight I had to loose. I wanted open because it was Dr. Newhoff doing it.

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 very supportive, if nervous and worried about my survival, complications, etc.

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

I wasn't working at the time.

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

My stay was OK. There were 3 other bariatric patients there at the same time. It was a 3 day stay. I didn't bring anything but a change of clothes and lipbalm. The Lipbalm ended up being my savior! (I wasn't allowed ANY liquid post op on day one.)

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

No real complications. I sometimes have problems with my strange appitite. some days I feel like I'm famished others I have to be reminded to eat. Occasionally I'll forget and eat too fast, it'll be uncomfortableand comeright back up.

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 felt achey, but excited. I was nervous a lot and had so many beginning issues with my new diet. I labeled most of my new foods mush. (i.e. yellow mush for egg salad). I was super excited seeing the weight literally seem to fall right off.

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

I was ACHEY! I was tired! I couldn't sleep lieing down, I had to sleep propped up! I hated all my liquids and hated eating at all really. Everything smelled weird. Everything tasted too strong!

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

I went to pheonix from Tucson a 3 (ish) hour drive. It was worth it. I saw my doc every 6 weeks until he retired, now I don't really see anyone, I just do regular check ups with my home town doc.

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.

first month was mushey food only - baby food consistancy. I HATED this stage but lost the MOST weight (so far) during this bit. after week 6 I've been cleared for a high protien low carb sugar free diet. I'm forbidden sodas. I can't eat bread products as they get all swollen in my tummy and make me barf. I can tolerate mostly VERY tender meats. I Really LIKE corn beef hash and rotissery style chicken. Tender meats stayed my mainstay. At 6 months I found I could tolerate mushy oatmeal, I still don't eat it much but do occasionally. I can now (1 year out) eat salads, steamed veggiesz (They must be VERY tender) most meats in a small amount, though I prefer the consistancy of fish.

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

I'm Not nearly active enough. I walked as often as I could about a mile or more. After a few months when my scar had healed up and my abdominal muscles stopped hurting I got back on my exercise ball and used that just about every day. I celan activly, and dance (I CAN DANCE!) I take advantage of my local gym as often as I can, and I ride my bike a lot. I'm still, at a year out not doing as much as I can, so once my youngest starts preschool in the fall I'm enrolling myself in yoga classes.

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

I've used one a day weight loss. I always eat my viactive calcium chews ('cause they're yummy) I'm currently taking the GNC gel multi vitiin because It's the easiest to fit into my morning routine. I've started taking iron and upping my dose of vit. B because I was getting some weird dizzy sensations.

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 have been the two I struggle with. Most foods smell revolting. those that do smell good are often ones I can't handle. If I'm not EXTREAMLY careful when I chew I can vomit. My dumping hasn't been too bad (I almost wish it were worse) but my cravings for sugar laden foods are WAY less then they ever were. I get sleepy if I eat too much carbs (i.e. more then half a piece of toast!) I lost a lot of hair at first, but I got it cut and later permed, and now a year out it's come back with a vengence!

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

The pain during week two. The GAS! early on. And having people think I took the "Easy" way out. This is NOT easy. It's also strange telling people about my surgery. I've met a lot of folks who are curious. I've also had people "joke" that they wish they could lose as easy as I have. man, I wish I could show them how tough a journey this is for me. I feel that this is still the right option for me, but I often advise psople who are honestly thinking about the surgery to look at all their options and really do their resurch to see if they can live the new lifestyle this surgery demands.

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

I go see my doc every 6 weeks. I use OH as my support system. My family has been awesome, and I'm making new friends every day.

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

My scar is a long thin VERY pale pink line from a little below the bottem of my chest bone to just above my belly button. It's not what I expected, but I kind of like it- It reminds me every day what I've done. It'sd faded a lot and now looks a lot like my streach marks.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

The longest platu I was on was about three weeks, and I found I had to super hydrate and work to get off it. Every now and again I'll get stuck for a week, but that's when I find I'm loosing inches, or I'm feeling really strong. I think for me the platues are my bodys way of recooping, and getting itself together for burning more fat.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

At a year out HECK yes. I'm not looked past anymore, people see me now. I've had more social interaction over the last few months now that I'm "real person sized." I've been flirted with and looked at in a "gosh she's pretty" sort of way. I've noticed thatmore people are smiling at me, of course I'm smiling a lot more now too!