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

My dad and step-mom had bypasses and I saw how it worked so well for them.

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

I was a self-pay and made it happen pretty quickly. My advice is to be persistent and don't give up. If you really want to have the surgery, you will make it happen.

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

My first visit was okay. He told me what I would have to do in order to get the surgery. I had to get sign-offs from all of my doctors because I had previously had cancer.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When my colostomy became so tight that it bled and hurt, I decided that I had to permanently do something to fix the problem. Lose weight...

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I tend to be anemic so I knew the RNY wans't a good option and I refused to have a lapband because I knew the risks associated with ports. My son has had a port for 11 years and had many infections and I did not want to have to worry about that and being poked.

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 did worry about complications and to be honest, I've had those complications. It has been very frustrating but I knew that I was a riskier patient than most and I wasn't going to let that stop me from being healthy.

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 supported me and my daughter decided to do the VSG surgery 6 weeks later. It has been worth all of my complications to see her becoming a healthier and more confident person due to her surgery.

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

I was in a new job and at first they were okay, but as I had to miss work due to complications, I think it may have contributed to my eventual lay-off.

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

My hospital stay was nice. The rooms were large and very inviting. I was there about 30 hours total. The most important thing to bring was someone to help you. I also enjoyed having my computer there so I could update people on my progress.

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

Yes. They didn't all appear right after surgery but nevertheless I've had them. I had nausea, severe left shoulder pain, a leak and several bacterial infections. In fact, I'm currently in the hospital fighting yet another infection. I dealt and deal with them as they come. It has been very frustrating at times, but I just do the best I can at dealing with them.

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

The first 2 weeks are hell. You want to eat so badly and can't. I hated jello and mostly just drank water. I used the OK support forum to help me get through the tough times.

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

Be prepared to be hungry and know that it will pass. When they say it is important to drink, they are not kidding. Believe me, you do not want to get dehydrated, it sucks.

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

I drove 2 1/2 hours one way to have my surgery. I think it does affect my aftercare because it is a pain to have to drive all that way if something goes wrong. Plus I do not get the hands-on support that I would prefer.

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 still have trouble eating meat but I did cheese pretty good. I also went 8 1/2 weeks without any food/water because of my leak. That was tough but not as tough as the first two weeks on liquids. I am now 5 months out and in some ways just starting over again. It amazes me that I can eat carbs (which are no-no's) much easier than the protein.

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

I went back to work after 3 days and do not recommend it. I was very tired for the first month or so and when I became dehydrated, it was even worse.

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

I take a multi-vitamin, B-12, and Prilosec. I'm trying to do some of the protein mixes, but it is very hard as I do not like shakes of any kind.

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?

Where do I start?? Nausea, severe shoulder pain, vomiting, hair loss. I am 5 months out and the only thing that is resolved is the shoulder pain. I only vomit once in a while, but nausea still nags me and my hair loss is slowly getting better.

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

The complications. The leak was the worst because it took so long to diagnose and then the 8 1/2 weeks without eating and drinking. Then the bacterial infections that have plagued me since then. I have spent at least 10 days in the hospital every month since Sep. It has been very frustrating.

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

The best support I've had is from the Oklahoma forums. They have been with me and encouraged me from the beginning. I couldn't have done it without them.

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

My scars are very minimal and have healed nicely.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I've been stuck at 30 lbs lost but mostly because I was on TPN (nutrition) for 3 months so I couldn't lose any weight during that time.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really.