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

I have known about bariatric surgery for years, I am a nurse. But I used to think that it was the failure way out. I no longer think that since my weight just keeps increasing each year. Now I know why people consider it.

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

I have AETNA HMO, I had to meet the criteria they consider medically necessary. I have done all that and was approved after the first try!

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

Every one at his office were helpful and very knowledgable about their jobs. The bariatric coordinator responds to my emails in a timely manner. The surgeon is very nice and acts like he cares even if he is very busy. His waiting room is obese friendly with the seating.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Failing health, (I'm on 5 blood pressure medications!!)

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon convinced me that the RNY was the most successful.

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 don't have any fears of dying, I am ready to change my lifestyle to more healthy one. I hope to have no complications I plan on following my Dr and nutritionist's instructions the best I can!

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?

I thik my mother is very nervous, my husband hasn't really said anything, my sons are afraid I will die and my friends are very supportive!

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

My employer is a physician so he is very supportive and my office manager was very helpful in getting my leave of absence papers in order.

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 for 3 days, it was a pleasant stay the entire staff was caring and attentive

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

No complications

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 had little anxiety because I researched all this for over a year

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

There will be periods of regret because everyone around you is eating and you are just drinking protien shakes (some are good , some are NASTY!)You will be a little more tired than usual. Watching the weight coming off is fun!

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

about 20 miles

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 a hard time with water, it goes down hard and it hurts. Soft breads are hard to eat they seem to want to stick in the esophagus. I cannot eat beef too easy,it is difficult to chew it down to a desired softness. Some things with sugar tend to cramp me and give me diarrhea. Because of having to chew for a longer period of time some foods don't taste as good as they used to. I find if I can't liquify the food I'm eating I usually spit it out.

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

I had a pretty good amount of energy went back to work after 4 weeks (I am a nurse)

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

After surgery for the first 5 weeks I took Centrum chewables, now I take One-A-Day plus iron and use Upcal D for calcium it is a powder and I mix it with my orange juice in the morning.

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 really haven't had many side effects (do what your Dr and nutritionist instruct you to do)

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

The day after surgery I had to have a barium swallow to check for leaks. That was the most disgusting and nastiest thing I ever had to put in my mouth and stomach!!

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

I visit with the dietician and the bariatric nurse, they answer all my questions and concerns

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

I had laperscopic so I have 6 small incisions

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

So far I have had none but I am only 7 weeks post-op

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No