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

A friend had the procedure. At first I was scared and did not think that I could go through with this procedure. I thought if I just had a little bit more self-control, I would not need to go to this extreme.

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

They would only cover the short limb RNY and not the long limb. Educate yourself on what your carrier covers. Be prepared to be patient and take this through an appeal sitution. Get your employer involved if the carrier still refuses to approve the procedure.

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

My first visit was good. He went over all my medical work and went into great detail about next steps. I would suggest that you do your homework and come with a list of questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I new that I could not take the wt. off. I had a 4 year old and I wanted to be there for him. I felt that if I did not get this under control, I would not live to see him grow. Also, I noticed that my co-morbidities were starting to present themself. If I had surgery before I was put on high blood pressure meds or was diagnosed as a diabetic, I thought that I would have a better chance of correcting the damage that was already done by my obesity.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My physician made this decision.

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 very concerned that something could go wrong. Thankfully, I sailed through this without any problems. There is a risk with every surgery. I felt that I was at a greater risk not having the surgery then proceeding with the surgery. This is an individual journey, and I tell people that they have to do what they feel comfortable with and what is right for them.

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 husband was not in touch and still does not get it. My mother and sisters were very supportive and gave me the encouragement that I needed to see my way through the procedure.

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

I worked for a health insurance company. My medical director was supportive. I was out for 31 days.

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

My hospital stay was uneventful. The nurses were nice. I was in the hospital two days. The most important thing to bring are slippers. After surgery you need to get up and walk, walk, walk....

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

None.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

Once I had my surgery date I concentrated on taking off some weight, read information, talked to people that had the surgery, and kept myself busy.

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

The drain was the biggest hassle. Once it came out my biggest adjustment was trying to get fluids in. I would not sweat it! Sip what you like and in time you can introduce new foods. The best part during this time period is that you are NEVER hungry. Food does not rule your life. During this time you can eat to live not live to eat.

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

62 miles round trip. It did not affect my after care at all.

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.

At first I could only tolerate liquids,yogurt and cottage cheese. I then introduced semi-soft foods and then graduated to solids. I could eat warm chicken mixed with mashed potatoes, tuna salad and salmon. These got me through the first couple of months. Just recently, I have started adding red meat and pork. The common thread with eating any kind of meat for me is to mix it mashed potatoes. I am also able to eat salads. I try to eat several small meals. If you starve yourself and then try to eat and overeat you will get sick. This is a horrible feeling and I try to avoid it at all costs. The foods that are off limits is bread and anything with sugar.

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

It was high! I went mall walking and have not stopped.

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

B B-12 Multivit Calcium Iron Protein powder Nioxin- for my hair

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 did not have any persistent side effects. I have had dumping 2x when I have tried to eat too fast and hair loss occured about 5 months post op. I use Nioxin to help reduce the hair loss and have increased my protein. You can only do what you can do so I do not beat myself up if I cannot get in 60 grams of protein per day.

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

The time from going to the informational meeting until my actual surgery. It took a little over a year.

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

I have a network of friends that have had RNY. It is very helpful to talk with them.

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

My scars are small and they were what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had some spells where I did not drop any wt. I have set rules for mylself. I only weigh myself 1 x per month. I have increased my protein and exercise.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People think that I am thin but I still do not see myself as they see me.