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

I learned of WLS through a colleague at work who had a lap band done and then anyother colleague underwent a RYN gastric Bypass procedure

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

I had absolutely no problem getting insurance approval. I owe this to my surgeon who did a literature review and took the time to conference with the physicians at my actual insurance company.

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

discouraging. I wasnt a candidate for either a lap band or a RNY gastric Bypass because my BMI was 32.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Over a two year period I gained enough weight that increased my BMI to 35 and developed multiple co morbidities. I had to surgery to prevent further weight gain and exacerbation of my existing comorbidities.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I had a RNY Gastric Bypass because among other things it would correct my severe Esopheal Reflux Disease

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 afraid of in internal perforation, post op infection and blood clots. I would tell anyone contemplating the surgery to select a highly competent surgeon, a hospital designated as a bariatric center of excellence and to be a compliant patient.

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 horrified by my decision and most felt that I needed to "work a little bit harder" at losing weight. I don't believe I could have communicated anything differently then I did pre operatively. As an RN, I did my homework and felt prepared. I am six month post op and everyone is very supportive now.

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

My employer wasnt over joyed that I was having surgery. I told them I would be out of work for two weeks, but it actually ended up being 5 weeks, mostly due to fatigue and nausea

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

Hospital stay was as good as it could have been given the circumstances. The worse part was the sleep deprivation. The over night staff were very inconsiderate regarding noise. They came in and out of your room all night, banging, putting on lights and leaving them on when they left...not closing doors behind them...standing outside your room talking loudly, laughing, etc... Aside from the noise/sleep deprivation everything else was great.

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

I had a small reaction to oral contrast I drank on post op day 3. It was similar to a dumping syndrome with flushing, intractable nausea and diarrhea.

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 only had 1 1/2 weeks between insurance approval and surgery so there wasn't too much time to think. I was 70% excited and 30% anxious. I coped with anxiety by spending a lot of time on Obesityhelp.com and reading other people positive experiences and looking at many of the before and after photos for inspiration.

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

I felt terribly exhausted and moderately depressed. I found living on liquids very challenging and became easily discouraged. I think the fact that I was completely cut off of food cold turkey was a big adjustment that I didnt factor in. My therapist was very instrumental in helping me see this and formulate coping strategies. Everyone should be connected with a therapist during this time in my opinion.

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

I traveled 18 miles

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.

COULD NOT EAT: Dairy, fat, animal protein, any type of liquid protein or artificial sweetners. It took about 5 months but now I can tolerate all of the above. I never eat sugar so I can't comment on my tolerance level.

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

zero, I had no energy at all. All I did was sleep day and night!!!

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

I take whole food supplements I get from a naturopath. I also required an IV Iron infusion due a low hemoglobin/Ferritin level.

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?

Depression for the first 6 weeks, but got better week by week. No sleep disturbances, no dumping syndrome ever Significant hair loss from 2 months to 5 months post op Nausea has been ongoing since surgery but has improved from the 5th to 6th post op time frame Coping was accomplished by setting realistic expectations, seeing my therapist on a regular basis and trying to understand that these symptoms were related to the recovery process following bypass surgery. I also found that seeing my weight dropping down and all my co morbidities disappearing helped me cope as well.

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

Nausea and hair loss

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

private therapist. Very helpful or

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

I have virtually no scars...I had a lapropscopic procedure done.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Some people say I am "mean since I lost weight" (mostly people who really didnt know me well before my surgery), Most people say that I am happier and more confident and seem more relaxed. I feel that most people are more open and friendlier to me then before I lost weight.