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

My mother had it 7 years ago. It saved her life.

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

My primary care physician gave me a very valuable piece of advice. Switch from the HMO to the PPO plan. I was approved in less than 48hrs after submission. Amazing!

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

I had done a ton of research so I made my appointment very easy. Knowledge is power. I had a binder of information I had compiled prior to my appointment. The appointment to me had just become a formality I had to march through.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had a Melanoma cancer diagnosis the year before and that made me re-evaluate my longterm outcome with PCOS and my history of HTN.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Based on my PCOS diagnosis it was clear to me the Lap RNY was my best option.

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?

My expection was that I would sail through the surgery with no complications and that is exactly what happened. I was so comfortable with my decision I just wanted to get on with 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?

During my decision making process only a few people knew. After the decision was made I told everyone. It was no longer a subject open for debate. I just would accept their support if they chose to give it.

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

I'm self employed.

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

I was only in overnight. Good thing too...my roommate was a terrible match for me. She was elderly, confused and awake all night. I used my chapstick and my cell phone. Also bring a pillow to brace you abdomen on the car ride home.

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

None

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 was very comfortable with my decision and just wanted to get on with it.

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

I was up most of the night my first night home. First I was freezing then I was hot and I had to pee every hour because I was loaded up with I.V. fluids. By morning my temp had regulated and I was o.k. The first several weeks I was very tired. Took many naps each day. It got better each week.

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

It was a 2hr drive. It has not affected my aftercare.

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 2mos out my diet is still limited. I stick pretty much with what I know works. Cottage cheese, cheese sticks, lunchmeat, chicken, turkey, stuff like that.

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

It improves with each week. I still have only "X" amount of energy to get through the day so I budget myself to make sure I can meet the needs of the day.

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

Flinstones Chewables x2 Viactive Glides x2 Liquid B-Complex Biotin 2500mg x1 Usoridol X2 (for my gallbladder)

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?

None

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

First couple of days after surgery my entire body ached from being on the o.r. table and being intubated for the proceedure. I had a stiff neck that was more painful than the surgery. I only used painmeds I.V. in the hosptial. I used no pain meds since 3am the night of surgery and that was mostly to try and sleep since I had an obnoxious roommate.

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

I use the Obesity Help site alot. I also talk regularly with other folks here locally that have had the surgery.

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

I have 5 half inch incision sites.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None so far

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Haven't noticed yet.