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

I first found out about bariatric surgery from my good friend whom I've known since kindergarden. Like me she was very much overweight and made the decision to get healthy and went through all the steps to get surgery. I asked her all about it and she kept me informed every step of the way. Once she lost the weight I noticed how much happier she was and how much her health improved. It took me five years to finally make the decision that I too needed Gastric Bypass. I did my reasearch and started an exercise plan and had my surgery on January 20th of this year. (2009)

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

I did everything that was required to get my surgery approved. I started with a visit to my primary care Dr. then got a referral to attend the orientaion class where I learned about the surgery and did all the required classes and tests needed as well as starting a exercise program, a suggested diet, and just kept the ball rolling every step of the way. When they said I had to do something to advance to the next step that my insurance I hit the ground running. I followed every rule and took every thing seroiusly. You have to to get your insurance to see that your serious about making a life long change to get healthier and before I knew it ten months had passed and I was approved and got my surgery.

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

My first meeting with my surgeon went very well. I brought all my notes that I kept throughout the process as well as a list of questions that I had for him. I also kept a copy of every test and evualtion so that whatever he asked for I was prepared. That really helped me in the long run.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had just had enough with feeling depressed about the way I looked and the poor shape my health was in. I was ready to get healthy and make a change for the better.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I knew right from the beginning that I wanted Gastric Bypass because I wanted a permanent tool to work with for the rest of my life.

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?

With any surgery complications can happen. I just felt like I had already been through the worst pain ever imagineable when I had an eptopic pregnany rupture and was just minutes away from death. I felt like if I could survive that I could survive almost any complication that could come from Gastric Bypass. I wouldn't say I had fears I would more say that I had a lot of anxiety days before my surgery because I was so excited to be getting it done. My advice for anyone considering gastric bypass is educate yourself on every aspect of it and get a strong support team to be there for you when you need to ask questions, talk, or just need help of anykind.

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?

Most of my family and friends were very supportive throughout the whole process. I have a few good frinds that really stuck by my side every step of the way which made all the difference in the world just knowing that people really cared about me and my decision to have WLS. I'm very lucky to have such a great support team that I can count on. I've had great support and encouragement after my surgery as well. I really do feel blessed.

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

I had my surgery at Mills-Peninsula Hospital in Burlingame, Ca. My stay was pleasant. I had great nurses that always kept me informed of what was going on and attended to all my needs. The best things that I brought to the hospital was my robe, slippers, my own pillow and favorite blanket, comfy loose fitting clothes for the ride home, and my own toiletries.

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

I had several complications after surgery. Two weeks after returning home I suddenly couldn't keep anthing that I ate or drank down. I vomited everything that went in my mouth for eight weeks solid. I was back in the hospital eight different time with each stay longer than the last. I became extremly dehydrated and was always in pain. I kept in constant contact with my surgeon who helped me every step of the way. I had to have six different stretches to my stoma and had two painfull unsecessfull attempts at putting a feeding tube in so that I could get nourishment. My stomach and esophagus were so swollen that the feeding tube would never make it down as far as it need to be. I stuck it out and did exactly what my surgeon ordered and now as of this week am abel to keep food and liquid down. I finally feel back to normal and can exercise with all the energy that I now have with loseing 70 pounds in just shy of three months. Do I have any regrets...Not one!

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 kept myself busy. I exercised and stay focused and called friends to talk to when I felt anxiety coming on. Being on the OH site was a real stress reliever as well. I had all my questions answered from so many great people.

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

You can expect to feel tired when you get home and for the first couple of weeks. Take lots of walks and get in your vitamins and protein. Whenever something doesn't feel right call your surgeon right away.

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

I traveled about 45 minutes to the hospital and the same home. Didn't affect my aftercare at all because when I needed to see my surgeon or go back to the hospital I had a very supportive friend that was with me every step of the way.

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 was abel to eat pureed soups, yogurt, applesauce, and protien drinks for the first two week after surgery. From that point on until just this very week...one week shy of three months since surgery I couldn't tolerate anything because the opening of my stoma healed to small and wouldn't allow anything to pass through it. But after six stretches and following everything my surgeon said to do I now as of this week can tolerate small amount of protein like meat, protein drinks, juices, and sugar free popsicles, and veggies that are cooked really well and are soft.

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

Right from the day of surgery I was walking as much as possible. I increased the distance every few days as my body tolerated it. I now take my dog on 45 minute walks that involve hills and have no problem with it like before surgery.

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

I take two Flintstone chewable vitamins a day as well as calcuim citrat with vitamin D in it. On top of that I take vitamin B12 once a week and biotin for hair loss. The first month after surgery I was also taking chewable vitamin C

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 would say that my main problem was with vomiting and nausea. Both lasted for eight weeks due to my stoma opening healing to small. It was a real bugger but I have a great surgeon who took excellent care of me every time I had to go back in the hospital.

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

The worst part was my stoma opening healing to small and vomiting for eight straight weeks.

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

I attend a support group at El Camino Hospital that is for both people waiting to have surgery and people that have already had it. It's great support and I look forward to every meeting. I get questions answered and learn from others in the group.

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

I have five small scares. I knew I would have them because I did my research and my surgeon informed me of what to expect.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Most days I lose a pound or two but their have been some weeks that I don't lose for four or five days.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I sure do. People are always telling me that I look great and it's a wonderful feeling. People also tell me that I seem happier and I can tell they want me around more because I'm not depressed anymore.