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

I've heard about it most my life. Just never thought I would end up needing it for myself. I'm considered a 'light-weight' at 268 lbs, with a BMI of 46. I always thought it was only for people with a BMI of 50+. I'm morbidly obese with many co-morbidities and never realized it was for someone like ME.

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

I have to constantly call my insurance and my Dr. office to make sure things are submitted as needed. I advise people doing the same with their insurance companies. Be a 'Squeeky Wheel'!

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

My husband and I went together. We had a list of questions to ask. I gave my doc a copy and I had a copy to write on. There were several questions I considered 'stupid' but since the doc had a copy, it forced me to ask them anyway. And guess what...my doc didn't think ANY of the questions were stupid at all. In fact, they were very common concerns of many other patients!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Realizing that my health was at greater risk with each pound I gained and carried around. Knowing that if I don't do something about my weight, my family suffers as well. My family is more important to me than I am to myself. At least, for now.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Originally, I was sure I wanted the LapBand. After going to two seminars, several support group meetings and spending a lot of time on obesityhelp.com, I have come to the conclusion that RNY is the way to go for me. I need the dumping syndrome to keep me on track.

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?

Even though, when I first started going to the support group meetings, a new WLS friend died of complications, I have more fears of dying if I don't have surgery. Biggest surgery fear is post-anesthesia vomiting. I usually vomit profusely before even leaving the OR because of general anesthesia.

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?

They didn't realized how overweight I had become. They just got used to me being overweight for so long. My family and friends are very supportive and I know they will be here physically and mentally after my surgery is complete and well into the future of my weightloss journey.

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

Do not work out of the home. Army Veteran. However, if I had become overweight in the Army, I would have been discharged because of it.

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

I went home on day three after the surgery. Besides the very noisy hallway at night and the small rooms, I had a good stay at the hospital. The staff was very helpful and knowledgeable and I liked that my surgeon came to see me each and every morning.

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

Yes, I was home for two days following surgery then developed a twisted bowel and went back in for surgery again on day five post-op. Nothing serious. Stayed in the hospital for another 3 days and have had no problems since then.

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 relieved and nervous all at once. I knew, in my heart, this was the right decision for me. I went to as many support groups as I could. Asked someone to be my WLS Angel, visited OH several times a day and talked about everything with my husband and kids.

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

It was painful for the first week (after the second surgery). I walked around the house as much as I could. I had already made pureed foods from my own low-fat, low-carb homemade meals, froze them in ice cube trays and at lots of soups. My family was very supportive. The only advice I can offer is Plan Ahead and MOVE! The more you lay around or sit around, the more pain you'll be in. Especially if you already have joint and neurological problems!

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

My surgery was in the next town over, 3-5 miles away.

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 can not tolerate pork chops, salmon and tuna. Nor can I eat any left over meats without getting something 'stuck'. I dump on anything that has more than 6 gms saturated fat or 6 gms sugars. This has not changed from beginning to now, almost 10 months out.

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

Prior to surgery, I walked either assisted, with two canes or with a walker. After surgery, I began walking around the house for the first couple of weeks. Once I had about 10% of my weight lost, I was able to go to the grocery store and walk, leaning on a carriage. About 6 weeks out I joined a gym and started walking in the pool. About 3 months out I started using the recumbent bike. At this point I was only using a cane and occasional help walking. About 6 months out I continued the gym doing the same things but only needed a cane to get around out of the house. Indoors, I didn't need to use the cane. I am about 10 months out now and have tried the treadmill at the gym and holding onto the sides. I do the Wii Fit every day without a cane and can walk around the perimeter of my yard without my cane. I have begun walking up to two miles a few days a week but still need my cane when my hip begins to hurt. My goal is to not have to use my cane anymore. Not even for long distances. And especially for my daughter's wedding in 4 months!

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

Each Day: Morning 1 Protein Shake (can't handle an actual breakfast upon waking) 1 Centrum Chewable (I don't take extra iron, no periods) 400 IU Vitamin E 1000 IU Vitamin D3 B Complex 1000 Mcg B-12 Sublingual (Beginning 9 months - 400 mcg Cromium Picolinate) Starting 2 hours later, 500 mg Calcium Citrate every 3 hours or so until bedtimes (approx. 1,500 MG total plus what ever I get from my foods)

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 started experiencing hairloss about 4 months out. Persisted until about 7 months out. Now, almost 10 months out, beginning to see new growth. To cope, I got a perm to make my hair feel and look thicker. I knew it would come back eventually. I have the typical dumping syndrome. I hope I keep that. To cope, I stay away from the foods that make me dump. It's that simple.

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

Keeping it a secret. I didn't want people outside my hubby and kids to know. I just tell people I eat smaller portions of healthier foods and that I work out at least 30-60 minutes per day. It's not really a lie. I do exactly that but don't tell people I actually had surgery.

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

Besides my family, I go to all the area meetings each month. I started and run a post-op WLS meeting and stay vigilant by paying it forward to others who want and need support. I feel it's extremely important to seek support in the bariatric community. Even if you have the most wonderful family you could ask for. I also feel it's important to see your nutritionist as often as you see your surgeon for each phase post-operatively!

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

I have five tiny scars about 1/2 inch each. Yes, they are what I expected. I'm grateful not to have had an open procedure done.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Note: I see my nutritionist every three months to keep my calories and nutritients in check. My first 'plateau' was about 3-4 weeks out. It lasted only a week or so but was very discouraging. I just continued to do the 'right' things. The plateau ended and I began losing the weight again. My next plateau was about 4 months out then 6 months out. This was where the monthly measurements played a big part in keeping my self esteem up. Again, I just continued to stay on track with my exercising and eating and the weight began coming off again. My most recent plateau has been at 9 months. My weightloss has slowed down dramatically as I am not at goal. I would like to lose another 7 pounds so that I can have a buffer. It's realistically within my suggested BMI range. In fact, it's still 8 pounds above the mid-range. I see my Nutritionist next week and will ask about raising my caloric intake to help maintain my weightloss.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Absolutely! People are nicer to me. I get many, many compliments! People seem to respect me and take me more seriously now!