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

A couple of friends and my sister in law suggested it, even my Kaiser doctor suggested it. Honestly at first I thought it was "taking the easy way out". I thought I would do it on my own. Then I asked to be put on diet pills (which only helped me drop 10lbs). It seemed like the harder I tried the more weight I gained.

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

I have Kaiser, and since my PCP suggested it, I didn't have to convince anyone I needed approval. I was just asked to take a Bariatric Surgery class and they took care of it.

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

Make a list and ask questions!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

No matter what did, I wasnt doing it on my own, even after trying prescribed weightloss pills. I saw how happy my friends and sister and in law were with their results. I figured I was just gonna keep gaining weight and on top of that I would probably never be able to have children.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

In the Bariatric Surgery class they talk about all options and you with your surgeon decide. Based on recovery time, your health issues, Convenience, possible complications, etc...

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 initially scared of failure. That the surgery wouldn't work and I'd still be overweight. I was scared of the worst of all complications (yes of dying). But as it got closer I was more excites about losing the weight. That's what people should focus on. Your new beginning.

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 was supportive. Especially my husband. He tried not to influence my decision but he supported me either way. my mother had second thoughts just the night before the surgery which made me nervous and I started to think about it as well. My husband reassured me said "You've come this far don't stop now".

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

My immediate supervisor was very supportive and reassured me when I told him what hospital I'd be having my surgery at. I was told I'd be out of work for 5 weeks. Little did I know id be having a few complications that made it 3 months.

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

My first day was exciting but at the same time I was thinking to myself this is gonna be life changing and it will be so hard. I doubted I could be dedicated to new way of life. After having had my surgery I am very happy I went to the first class. Because that marks the beginning of the new me. I couldn't believe I had put it off for a year when it was offered to me.

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

I was in the hospital overnight. Bring a comfortable pillow for support on your stomach. If you get Morphine for pain be careful, may cause nausea and vomiting which will obviously hurt your stomach. Demerol, Zofran and Dilaudid worked wonders for me. in a matter of hours after being taken off morphine I was able to go home.

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

A week after my surgery I went into urgent care for weakness and dehydration. I was given IV fluids and I felt better. A few days later I had severe abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting and unable to keep my pain meds down I called my surgeon which asked me to come in immediately to the emergency room so he could follow up on me. They admitted to run test after test and finally figured out I developed gallstones and had developed a blood clot in the portal vein going to my liver. I had to have surgery to relieve the pain which no meds were touching and have my gallbladder removed. I was in pain up until i was put on their operating table. I was put on blood thinners to help dissolve the clot and hopefully will be in no longer than a year. I was in the hospital a week. 4 days after being discharged i went to urgent care again for side pain and vomiting. They didn't have the resources to run full tests and their suspicion wad my blood clot had burst and i wad bleeding into my stomach because my blood pressure was dangerously dropping. I wad transported to the closest hospital which determined i had a kidney stone. I have recovered from everything and am still working on dissolving that clot.

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 turned the anxiety into excitement and worked harder on concentrating on my diet to lose the weight they had asked before surgery.

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

I wasn't home long because of my complications but expect weakness, and some dizziness. You can help this by drinking water ad much as you can, have protein shakes jello and ice chips were my best friends. As for pain have no form of reference since reference started with problems but your surgeon will prescribe nausea and pain medication.

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

65 miles. When I developed complications my surgeon wanted to see me in his hospital which was 1 1/2 hours away. This made it difficult for family to visit but my husband made it work and stayed with me in the hospital a few days.

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 wad on Atkins diet protein shakes. Right after surgery those were off limits. I wad able to do Trop50 orange juice and like at 6 weeks that didn't work. I can still have dairy with no problems. Sausage and beef are tough on my stomach. I can only do chicken, fish and tuna. I can't even do beef broth.

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

I tried some walking after 9 weeks resulting in dizzy spells due to lack of fluid and protein. I upped my fluid intake and food and by 12 weeks I was able to walk fine.

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

I am so bad. I bought a powder vitamin you add to your drinks. Its kinda sweet so I can't say I take it regularly. I started losing a lot of hair so I started pouring Biotin powder in a shake with protein powder having it that way. That is the only way I can do protein is in a strawberry banana shake.

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?

Sleeping was difficult since Im a stomach sleeper. I first propped myself up to sleep with pillows and eventually used pillows to craddle me so I can sleep on my side. Nausea was difficult since your abdomen is still swollen from surgery. Make sure you get pain meds and nausea meds to take home. I started losing my hair significantly just recently. Like right after Christmas.

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

The surgery itself was fine. Being in the hospital for a week for having test run on you to find out you have gallstones was the worst. Being dehydrated and having your veins collapse and being stuck at the hospital was excrutiating as well. Im terrible at drinking water.. but thats gonna be your best friend.. even vitamin water is works.

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

I've thought about going to a support group. I'm sure it would be helpful.

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

Very minimal and are starting to fade. (Laparoscopic) My surgeon used the same wounds for my second surgery.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Not enough water, and protein will cause your body to stop losing weight and eventually lose your hair.