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

I have been hearing of people having their stomach stapled for years but never seriously considered it for me or researched it until 2006 when it started becoming so popular and well known. My initial impression was fear. That it was dangerous and only for people who were extremely overweight.

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

This was completely handled by my surgeon's office personnel and was easy as could be. If you have medicare and follow all the guidelines it is a "piece of cake".

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

My visit went great. Everyone was friendly and helpful. I only wish I had wrote down my questions because I went blank when I met the doctor, but I told him that I had researched this site for about a year and I was ready to go. I asked him if he thought he could make me healthier and he said I KNOW I can make you healthier! I asked him if he thought I could cure my diabetes and he said absolutely.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I decided to have the surgery before I ever met the surgeon. It was just a matter of who and when. The people and information that I met and obtained on this site is what gave me the courage to carry through with it.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

At first I thought that I was sold on the lapband but when I went to the seminar that my surgeon held and heard that people with significant diabetes was a better candidate for the RNY and could have their diabetes cured, I decided on the RNY. My surgeon actually told me that he would not do the band on me also.

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 have fears. I always fear the anesthesia. Also, when you have a lot of health problems, you have all kinds of fears like: what if I bleed to death or what if I have a stroke or heart attack. What I would tell other people is: find a surgeon who is very good and very experienced and just know that you are in good hands. Go to a hospital of excellence and know that you are in the best of hands and just go with it. You only have one life. Live 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?

Some family was supportive. Most were not, but were fearful of it. I asked them to research it and gave them this websites address and most of them got on board.There will always be people against it but the more sucsess there is the better people will feel. You have to go with your own decisions. It is your life.

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

I am not employed. I am disabled and on SS Disability.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

Yes, It was very informative and Dr Kuhn stood out to me amongst all the doctors. But the highlight of the day was when I was in the ladies restroom and a lady came in and I asked her if she had had the surgery and she told me how wonderful it had been for her! To me that was like a conformation that I was supposed to do this!

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

I had surgery on Monday and went home on Tuesday. Bring your slippers-with not skid bottoms- and robe. Bring chap stick. I wore the clothes home that I wore to the hospital. You probably will not need a gown because of the IV"S you have to keep the hospital one on. Basic toothbrush, hairbrush, etc... and that is it.

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

None whatsoever!

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 felt a little uptight but the friends on this site helped me to get through it.

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

It has been one week and I was very sore for the first 5 days and then I suddenly felt a lot better! I felt a little anxious about getting enough liquids in and what to eat. Also, after the 5th day, I began to miss food. I didn't really feel hungry but just began to think of certain foods that I wish I could have and I felt depressed about it some. I managed to keep my mind off of it for the most part and got thru it.

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

60 Miles. This has not affected my aftercare but it has affected me getting to attend the support meetings that my drs group has.

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.

The first thing that made me ill after surgery was tomato or V8 juice! Yuk! I ordered a limeaid and didn't think about the carbonation! Made me sick all night burping up foam. No nore carbonation for me! I won't go near a soda. If I eat too fast then I have eaten too much and not realized it and had the foamies for hours! Not a good experience. So far I have not really had a bad dumping spell after sweets. Just got the sweats really bad and bad gas.

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

I felt great! I had to hold my self back until I could really be active! Now at 7 months I feel great but struggle with depression that causes me to tend to lay around...family issues.

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

I take Caltrate-600 2 times a day. Centrum vitamins -2 x day. Vitamin B-12 1 times a week. This is at 7 months out. It is the same as since surgery.

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?

At 7 months out I am experiencing some hair loss. I am really upset about that. My last labs said I was low on protien and Vitamin D so I have tried to make sure I am getting enough. I do have insomia. I get up adn get on PC and then go back to bed. I am having some issues with wanting to snack at night.

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

Worst part? There are no worse parts! My life is 500X better than it was before! I have had so many issues rsolved there is no compairison! This has given me a new life. Just wish I had done it sooner.

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

I Have the North Texas Collin County OH group that I meet with at least once a month in McKinney about 33 miles away. This is very important!

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

Little scars. Nothing compaired to my gallbladder surgery scar or my c-srction scars. Yes it is about what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had about 3 plateaus. I am on one right now at 10 months out. The other 2 were at 4 mos.,5 mos. I stayed the same for a few weeks and then let go of several lbs. at once. I haven't really lost any weight for 2 months...

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Some but not that much.