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

By talking to friends that have had the surgery done. My first impressions were "heck no", I'm not doing that. I had issues where I didn't believe this is a safe procedure but after talking to more and more people that have done it, I realize I will be much better off having the surgery has my health problems could kill me just as easily.

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

I only had a slight problem when getting approval. I was approved on the first letter but since I changed jobs they thought I had a lapse in insurance and was going to make me wait a year from my hire date before they would let me have the surgery. However, I cleared that up and they re-approved me in less than 2 weeks by waiving the waiting period.

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

My first date with Dr. Edward Facundus was on August 20th. I did like him; he was very professional and straight forward. Since then I have had some tests run on my gallbladder which are normal so Dr. F. is still waiting on some final paperwork from some of my other doctors and once he gets that and reviews it; I'll have a surgery date. Yeah!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I have struggled with weight gain for many, many years with no luck in losing it and keeping it off. My primary reason for having this surgery is for my health. I know that if I do not do something, I'll end up with more problems such as heart disease or who knows what else; maybe diabetes since they both run in my family.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The people at the wellness center told me about the RNY and that is the primary surgery that Dr. Facundus does so that is why I am going with that procedure.

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 have had fears about having complications but I've made my mind up - I will follow my doctors orders to a "T" with no goof ups. This is major surgery and if I go through with it, I will not to anything against his orders to jeapordize my health in any way. If something happens during surgery, then it was my time and nothing I can do about it. This weight can kill me too.

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?

So far, everyone has been very supportive; even my family. My father was reluntant at first but he knows my weight is an even bigger issue. My friends are all for it because it will help me to get healthier. I have had a few friends with "negative" feedback though which I understand is commmon. She said, "I believe a person needs their WHOLE stomach and ALL of their intestines and this surgery should not be done". I've done a lot of research on it and I am more than ready to do it!

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

Well, I have no plans to tell anyone I work with until after I've done it. If all goes as I have planned it, I'll have the surgery on a Tue/Wed and be back at work on the following Monday UNLESS I can get it around a holiday so I'll have an extra day for healing. I am an Administrative Assistant therefore I sit all day long and don't expect to be out of work too long.

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

My hospital stay was very pleasant. I was there for one night only. All of the staff at the hospital were very nice to me. I was told that I had done better than the other 4 ladies that had surgery the same day I did. I didn't really need to bring anything with me to the hospital. I didn't want to do anything when I woke up from surgery but sleep most of the day and the hospital gave me a toothbrush the next morning - the only thing I forgot! They wouldn't let me brush my teeth until the next day after surgery.

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

No, I didn't have any complications whatsoever. I was up and walking around as often as they wanted me to, even before the nurses had to come in and ask me to get up; they would see me out in the hall just walking around. I did have a complication with my IV, apparently the vein busted and my arm started to swell up. They had to change my IV after that to another location; too 2 tries but they finally got it back in and hey, I needed the pain medication.

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 nervous before I had surgery and to be honest, how I dealt with it was PRAY, PRAY, and PRAY. My brother is a Deacon in a church and I had him praying for me too. I started thinking of all the bad things that could happen to me and what if I didn't even wake up from surgery. I hadn't even thought of these things until a few weeks before surgery. Some of you may not believe this but on the way to the hospital that morning, I looked over at my partner and said, "I am going to be just fine.". It just hit me all of a sudden and all of my anxiety and worries had left me just like that!

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

To me, this period wasn't that bad. I had surgery the previous year for sleep apnea which removed my tonsils, adnoids, and the little "hanging down thing" so I was used to be on liquids for over a month due to that surgery so I knew it would be a breeze for me for the 6 weeks of liquid and soft foods. From everyone I've talked to prior to surgery thats had it done, I seem to have been the only person who was in absolute agony for 5 days after coming home from the hospital. I was in so much pain I cried for 3 days and debated on going back to the the ER but changed my mind; I figured that maybe it was normal and I should just deal with it. Other than that pain, I think I did great. Food hunger didn't bother me and I am still not hungry, 11 weeks post-op, I'd rather have something to drink and I could go 2-3 days without eating anything but I know thats not healthy so I make myself eat at times.

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

About 15 minutes from my house so it wasn't far 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.

Since surgery, the only food that I have had problems with is Tuna Fish. Twice it has made me sick; not sure if it just isn't flaky enough or I ate it too fast. If I grind it up in my blender, it doesn't bother me but so far, I've been afraid of it so I stay away from the tuna. Salmon does so much better. Every food that I have tried so far, hasn't given me any problems, today as a matter of fact, I had 2 krystal chicks for lunch - tearing off all the extra bread; filled me up and didn't bother me. If I am watching tv while eating and not paying attention, I may eat too fast and not chew my food up small enough, then I will know almost immediately to stop, the pain in my chest area is almost unbearable and I feel very sick but it passes after 5-10min and then I'm ok. I stay away from spicy food even though I love it; doc says I can't try it for 6 months after surgery so I'm looking forward to some hot wings *if* I can tolerate them.

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

Since I was in so much pain the first week, I didn't do much of anything. I did make myself get up and walk around the house every hour or so (hey, I had it done in Nov so I wasn't going outside) just to make sure my body was moving. 2 weeks after surgery I developed Bronchitus that wouldn't go away for 2 solid weeks; during that time, I did not eat for days at a time nor get out of bed unless I had to use the restroom; I haven't been that sick in quite some time.

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

Right now, I just take the Wal-Mart brand of children's chewables and I have a B12. After I run out of all my vitamins, I plan to purchase some Juice Plus+ vitamins - all veggies and fruits and they have chewables. 4 month supply for $89. I've heard they are great and come recommended by a gastric by pass surgery in another state.

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?

The nausia probably has been the worst for me since I threw up twice now. I haven't really had any dumping other than that. I have been one of the fortunate ones and haven't had any hair loss whatsoever. However, my hair is very thick and my hair dresser told me that he didn't think I should worry about that part and I guess he was right. With all the protein supplements, I think its made my hair grow. I haven't lost anything other than normal hair loss. I still have sharp pains if I eat too fast so I've been trying to slow it down. So far, so good. Overall, I think I am doing very well.

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

For me, I went through the "grieving for food" LONG BEFORE my surgery. I went to Tunica to the casino's the week before surgery and ate and ate and ate since I knew I couldn't do that again! I have been to support meetings but before surgery. I've felt great, I haven't been depressed nor have I felt the need to attend any meetings since surgery. I have many friends who have had this surgery including my sister-in-law that I talk to when I have questions. I think it is very important to have friends who've been through it and my partner is very supportive too.

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

I had the laser surgery done so I have 5 tiny little scars. They are about an inch long and still red in color; not sure if that will change or not. They did "buldge" out some but not anymore; they are flush with my skin; just red in color. Yes, its what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Ok, I'm at a platea right now! I've lost 60 lbs and stuck and have been for nearly 3 weeks now. I'm trying to up my water intake to see if it will help and planning on uping my exercise for additional help. We'll see what happens in a few weeks.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, no one has treated me any differently than before. I'm still the same person.