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

I work for a doctor, and we had several patients who had undergone gastric bypass - some successfully, a few not successfully. It just got me thinking.

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

I had no problem whatsoever. Dr. Irani's staff was able to get me approved within 2 weeks of my first visit with him.

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

I loved him. I had researched him quite carefully using resources available to the public, and some resources not available to the public - that's a good thing about working for a doctor:) As you research bariatric surgery, you think of many, many questions - WRITE THEM DOWN! You will NEVER remember them in the doctor's office, so write them down!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Meeting Dr. Irani and his staff, and developing the utmost confidence in him.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Research into the best procedure for successful weight loss.

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?

Working in the medical field, I know all the risks and possible complications from any surgery, which made it slightly more scary. The earthquake that we had while I was waiting for anesthesia didn't help. Talk to your surgeon. Gain confidence and trust in your surgeon. If you can't do that, then maybe he/she isn't the surgeon for you.

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 sons were terrified that I'd die on the table. My boyfriend was somewhat ambivalent. Except for a few hiccups, my family, both my real family and my work family, have been very, 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 talked to me at length regarding bariatric surgery, and answered alot of my "stupid" questions for me. He knew I hated being fat, and had seen me struggle with diets that didn't work, so he really helped me make the decision. I only stayed off work for 3 weeks.

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

It was hell on wheels. I was uncomfortable, the *%@#& IV's in every room beeped constantly, and every time I tried to sit up, I wanted to puke. Bring stuff to read or do with your hands, and definitely bring comfortable slippers. Also, wait until right after your injection of Reglan to get up!:) I was in the hospital from December 22 to December 25.

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

I had absolutely NO complications at all.

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 very excited. My surgery originally wasn't scheduled until January, but I begged Dr. Irani to do it before the end of the year, since I had already met the deductible and cap on my insurance. Luckily, someone cancelled, a slot opened in December, and I was there. I didn't really have much time to prepare, as my surgery was moved up only a week before the date.

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

I got kind of sad at first, because I would see my family eating some of MY favorite foods, and here I was sipping on yukky chicken broth. But then, I got on a scale, saw I had lost 23 pounds in one week, and that really jazzed me back up. Expect to get really, really tired of liquids.

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

My surgery was done right here in my home town.

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 adhered VERY strictly to the diet I was given. I do have to admit, I didn't do the "Thimble Rule" when adding new foods, but I have tolerated everything quite well. I do not do ANY sugar at all, except for the sugar that occurs naturally in fruit. I am very much looking forward to having beef and lamb again, but that's not for another month yet. I do get cravings for carbs every so often, so I try to do the smart thing and eat a few baked Cheez-Its, or something of the sort. And Sugar-Free Popsicles have been a lifesaver!

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

I started out walking the day I had my surgery, and I haven't stopped since! I got up to 7 miles a day walking, then my employer got us into an Evolution Circuit Training gym, so now I do 20 minute brisk walks daily, and the circuit traing 3 days a week.

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

I take chewable Centrum adult vitamins, Caltrate D chewables (2 daily), Biotin (2 daily), Bioflavinoids when I can gag them down, and extra Vitamin C. I use the Procomplex Protein powder mixed with a banana daily. And I get a B12 shot monthly.

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 am almost embarrassed to say, I have had NO side effects. My only problem lately seems to be gas. So I take Beano!

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

Immediate post op. I couldn't get comfortable, so I couldn't sleep well, and if I was up too much, my abdomen would hurt.

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

Dr. Irani's group, Bariatric Solutions, offers a twice monthly support group, run by a ?psychologist. I love going to the meetings and hearing everyone's stories, recipes, etc.

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

It's about 8 inches long, somewhat red. Again, luckily, I work for a doctor that is very into aesthetics, so we have a machine called IPL, that uses Intense Pulsed Light to lighten the color of scars. Eventually, my scar will be so light it will almost disappear.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Haven't had any yet!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Definitely, but I think it's because I have become more confident and outgoing - although I notice that people look at me more, not just ignore me.