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

A friend at work at the band done by the same MD and she looked and felt great. I figured if I was going to do it I might as well go all the way and do an RNY.

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

On 1/30/07 I went to my PMD and asked for a referal. He sent it off and I was approved in 10 days I think. On 6/7/07 I had the RNY.

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

The first time I saw my surgeon it was at a class. He seemed nice. The next time I saw him was about 2 weeks before the surgery. The classes we are forced to take answered most of my questions. The remaining questions I had was from reading posts on here.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When all I could think about was my weight I knew that it was time to do something drastic about it.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My PMD said he thought I should do the RNY. Im also the kind of person that would lie to the surgeon to get it deflated alittle so I could have a really good weekend of stuffing my face. Plus I felt like if I was going to do it, I have to go all the way.

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?

It is very unlikely that someone dies. My concern was bloodclots. I made sure I moved as much as I could. I didnt have any medical problems before the surgery but most of my family is diabetic and I didnt want to wait until I got 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?

I didnt tell my family until a surgery date was set (about 6 weeks out). I figured it was my business and no one elses. I did end up telling my co-workers because I planned on taking 8 weeks off and by dropping that much weight everyone would of found out. Plus.....so many co-workers have done it so I have nothing to hide.

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

I told my boss I was going to do it. She didnt think I should because she thought I wouldnt like the life changes. Because I work in an ER, we only see the bad things come from the surgery not the good. Some of my co-workers wanted me to do it first before they looked into it. I took 7 weeks off (It would of been 8 but I got borred at home)

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

The RN's ofcourse are overworked so there wasnt much personal care. The CNA's the most and from me were most appreciated. I was in the hospital on Thursday and checked out on Saturday. I could of stayed 1 more day but I missed my bed. PJ's, bra, undies, slippers and pillow were the best things I brought. Made me feel more like home.

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

No complications. Everything went well.

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

When I got home I felt real good. Probably because of the Vicodin. I did house work which was a no no and pulled my abdominal muscles bad. I learned my lesson and sat on my rear for at least 1 week and did nothing.

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

Sit, dirink, dont do anything, drink, drink and more drink. The first 3 weeks are rough. Things do get better.

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

I was about 80 miles away. At my 2 week followup I could drive and was not on any meds.

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.

I admit I didnt follow the program perfectly. I asked others what they were eating at different stages and did what I could handle. 2 weeks afterwards I should still been on pure liquids but I started cottage cheese and pinto beans. At 3-6 weeks I could start soft pureed foods. So my rule was if I could squish it in my fingers I could have it. I figured if I could have yogart then I could have frozen yogart. NOPE...I kept trying and it made me sick everytime. At about 4 weeks out I tried ravoli. It worked and I felt great. Then moved onto chicken finly cut and chewed and that was fine too. By 5 weeks I was eating out but everything had to be sugar free, low fat, no fried, no bread. at 6 weeks I am doing fine. I still have to learn not to eat fast and chew better or my chest hurts and I puke. I was in the ER for dehydration and that was not fun. So I am learning to drink more.

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

The first week until I hurt myself I felt great. After that I couldnt get all my protein in so I was weak and always tired.

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

Iron, multi vitimin, biotin, C, B-12

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 only have nausea when I eat too much or take to of bites. I sleep better now then I ever have. I only have dumping when I eat too much or any surger. No hairloss yet but I take the biotin and eat all my protein so hopefully it doesnt happen too bad.

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

Not being able to eat a full meal. I take 3 bites that take me 30 min and Im full. I want to have soda but cant. I went to a party and there was pizza, salad, bread sticks, soda and cake. I had a few bites of salad and I was done. I went to McDonalds and got a chicken wrap. It has taken me 7 hrs to eat it. Taking a bite and come back later for another. I want ice cream but I know 100% just a bite will make me sick.

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

I am on OH everyday. I have co-workers who had it done so I can ask questions. I think it is very inportant to go to a group meeting at least once a month.

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

I have 6 little 1-2in pink lines on my stomach. Its nothing.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

THEY SUCK!!!!!! At 2 weeks post-op it stopped and I lost NOTHING for 2 more weeks. Then I lost maybe 5 lbs in 3 weeks. THAT WAS CRAP!!! Now at 5 weeks I am starting to loose again. I am down 31lbs in 5.4 weeks.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet,.....I havnt lost enough.