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

During my pre-teen and teen years i went to a weight loss camp every summer for 8 weeks. I loved going there and seeing all my friends who were just like me. Years later, after facebook and myspace became popular, i was able to reconnect with a lot of my old camp friends. Many of these old "fat camp" friends had gotten gastric bypass surgery at some point and looked amazing! I was instantly interested in learning more.

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

I was self-pay

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

I clicked with my surgeon instantly. He put me at ease with just a handshake. I met 3 other surgeons prior to meeting Dr. Fernandez and for me I would say its very important to feel comfortable with your surgeon.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My son. Our future.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I was too afraid of failure with the Lap-band. I had heard too many horror stories. It was extremely surprising how positive the gastric bypass patients experiences had been.

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?

NOT having the surgery equals death as far as I'm concerned. I had my surgery when i was 22 years old, im now 25. However, I did and still do have a few fears. Prior to surgery I was afraid of losing my hair, having excess skin, not being able to keep the weight off, etc. Now, almost 3 years post-op I'm happy to report: I didn't lose my hair! What a relief! I do have some loose skin here and there but it can be easily disguised, (totally worth it!). I lost 120lbs in one year and have KEPT it off. Gastric Bypass is a life changer and a life saver. Don't wait another minute!

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?

The important people in my life all supported me..before, during, and today. Some of the non-important people that were in my life had negative things to say but that only motivated me more. I eliminated the people in my life who proved to be toxic. Unfortunately, my husband at the time was one of those "non-supportive toxins". I have been struggling with a divorce for almost 2 years now.

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

I work as a freelance Sign Language Interpreter so my boss and I only met in person one time, however, spoke on the phone almost daily! She was very supportive and told me to rest and take as much time as i needed. Then, when i told her i was ready to start taking jobs again she eased me back into it. I started taking jobs again about 2 months after surgery but i could have returned sooner.

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

It was exciting and inspiring! It gave me hope that things really can and will change!

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

My stay in the hospital was short and sweet. I was given morphine for any pain and the staff at Town & Country Hospital were great. I was only there for 24 hours and went home with no complications.

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

The only semi-complication i've had so far was my gallbladder. I got a stoned and had to have it removed around 6 months post-op. i called it a semi-complication because it wasn't necessarily due to my gastric bypass surgery, both my mother and grandmother had theirs removed and they are not obese.

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 was lucky enough to only have to wait 3 weeks for my surgery. I was self pay so i was able to get all the appointments taken care of immediately. I had a little anxiety but mostly i would say it was excitement.

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

The first few weeks home from the hospital were ROUGH! i was emotional, frustrated, HUNGRY, thirsty, and worst of all i regretted having the surgery some days. After about 3 weeks things drastically improved. People need to expect and prepare themselves for this adjustment period because its not easy. Totally worth it but not easy. They need to take it one day at a time and have confidence that things are going to get easier, because they will!

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

25-30 minute drive. It did not affect my aftercare.

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 have to say that i am very lucky that i am able to tolerate just about any food. The first few months following surgery I had a really hard time with skim milk. I've always drank skim milk and i love it so that was tough for me. I became more tolerant as time went on and now, almost 3 years post-op, I can drink a glass of skim milk if i desire. Raw sugars like cake and candy I can only eat a bite or two of to this day. That is a good thing as far as im concerned! I am able to eat sushi, chicken, all seafood, vegetables, etc. The secret is moderation.

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

At first, non-existent. Around the 3 week mark I started shedding the pounds even more rapidly and that motivated me to get moving! It was so exciting!

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

I must admit that I am a terrible example in the vitamin category... I was very good about drinking my protein for the first year after surgery but since then i almost completely stopped drinking protein. My surgeon is okay with this but would still like for me to drink some protein in the mornings. ive been taking GNC pre-natal vitamins since my surgery because i had heard at a support meeting they were easy on the stomach. I have no complaints and my blood work all checked out last month. I should be taken many more vitamins than I have been though, don't tell doc!

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?

The side effects were mainly only in the 3 weeks following my surgery. I was constipated for a few weeks post-op due to not having solid foods. I would have an occasional pain in my stomach but it would quickly go away. Mostly it felt like i had done way too many sit-ups, nothing that was not tolerable.

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

Wow. This is tough because I've had a very positive experience thus far. I would say the worst part of the process is the excess skin which has caused me some of my old confidence issues. However, i am hopeful that i will be able to afford a few small procedures in the near future. The good definitely outweighs the bad!

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

i attended some support group meeting in the year following my surgery but then slowly stopped going. I am fortunate enough to have a very supportive family so I havent needed to rely on aftercare support as much as some may need to.

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

i have 4 or 5 tiny slits on my belly that blend in with my stretch marks so they don't bother me too much. My excess skin and stretch marks are actually more visible than the incisions.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

i hit a few very short plateaus during my journey. I lost all my weight in a little over a year so I can't complain.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

ABSOLUTELY!