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

My daughter and two nieces had the RNY and both lost so much weight and look so wonderful that I thought, it's now or never and went ahead and looked into it.

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

My insurance was wonderful and they referred me to the greatest surgeon ever, Dr. Douglas Krahn. I have no complaints about my surance.

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

I was nervous but once I met my surgeon, I knew that I was in good hands and he made me feel very comfortable. People should always take a list of questions with them when they go to see their surgeon because you only have so much time and if you have a list with you, you won't forget anything.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My health made me decide to go forward with the surgery. I want to live a long healthy life and obesity and strokes run in my family so I knew I had to do something.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I discussed different procedures with my doctor and he suggested the RNY for me. I felt he knew best and I don't regret my decision.

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 think everyone tortures themselves with fear prior to surgery and I thought about complications and dying but I felt that with prayer from everyone on OH and my other friends and family, that it is in God's 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?

Some of my family and friends supported me in my decision but others didn't. I just told everyone that I was doing it for my health and wanted to be around a long long time so I have chosen to do something to help myself. By using that approach, people didn't know what to say.

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

My employer is not a very nice person and wouldn't understand so I told him I was having corrective surgery which I did end up having because I had to have a lot of scar tissue removed. I was back to work 3 weeks after surgery and did what I could from home until I returned.

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

My stay at the hospital was wonderful. The nurses were very kind and attentive. I was there for four days and was treated very well. I really didn't need anything until the third day after surgery. The hospital provided everything for me but the third day I took a shower so my husband brought my bag with soap, shampoo, powder, lotion, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc.

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

I didn't have any complications after surgery at all. They brought me broth and crystal lite and it all went down just fine.

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

After I got my surgery date, I went through all kinds of emotions. I was scared, excited, nervous, and any other emotion you could possible feel. I lived on OH during the few weeks before surgery to help cope with my anxiety and talked to many others that said they would do it again. Now I am one of those people who would do it again and will gladly help anyone who is going through the waiting period.

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

I was never in much pain and just felt very weak and tired for about the first two weeks. I slept a lot and walked around the block when I could. But mostly I rested. It has been three weeks now and I am back to work but by the time I get home, I am ready to lay down.

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

My doctor was only 20 minutes away so the after care was easy for me.

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.

Right now I am still on protein. I am very hungry for salad or something else but my doctor is keeping me on protein until I lose more weight. Sometimes I think I can eat a lot more than I can so I eat slowly until I have consumed about 1/3 of a cup of protein and then I stop.

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

I tried to walk a lot. In the hospital, I walked all over the halls and at home I would try to walk at least once or twice a day outside. After sitting for a while I would get up and walk around the house. Everyday got easier and easier.

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

I am on a chewable multi-vitamin, b-12, iron, calcium, potassium, pepcid. I felt better after I started on the vitamins after two weeks.

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 have only had nausea a couple of times and they were mild. I just sipped water and the nausea passed.

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

The week before surgery and the anxiety I felt.

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

I have become addicted to OH forum and talking to everyone on there. They are my greatest support because they all understand. I am going to attend the support groups at St. Bernardine's Hospital too.

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

I have 9 Laproscopic scars and they are very small and I was pleased with them. I expected to be opened up for surgery so I am very happy with my little scars.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

So far I have been losing weight at a fast speed but I know it will slow down. I expect that and the stronger I get the more exercise I will be able to do to help with the weight loss.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet but I haven't lost that much weight yet.