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

i researched it for 17 months before it happened. i did this in secret. i initially saw an ad in a magazine. ironically, it was a recipe magazine.

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

it was pretty much hell. i fought for over a year and finally switched to my husband's insurance and they covered me. still, it was expensive and emotionally rough.

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

it was a group meeting and it was basically just informational to convince people why it's a good idea. well, by the time i met my actual surgeon, i already knew it was something i was going to do. so, it was a no brainer for me.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

they said if i didn't lose weight, i'd probably never have children

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

my doctor highly recommended lapro rny as the most effective for me being so overweight

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 had normal fears, but they weren't overwhelming. i had a good support system. drafted a will, had a living will, felt that everything would be taken care of in the case that i didn't make it. i would tell them that risking death to live life is worth it

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 immediate family was very supportive. scared, but supportive. i didn't tell my dad's side of the family and i regret that. i'm proud of this decision and i wish i'd let it all out in the open.

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

they were completely fine with it. it was obvious i needed it. i told them the truth, what and why. i was out like 2 whole weeks and half days on the 3rd.

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

it was great. two days. i didn't really need to bring anything. the nurses were great. they were very encouraging for me to do laps. no complaints.

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

no

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 felt excited, relieved and nervous, but i was ready

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

it was pretty much hell. emotionally, i was starving. i was stressed about protein. i wanted food. i wanted to be normal. but all in all, i never regretted what i'd done.

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

2 hours, no

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 couldn't really eat much. I could hold one ounce that first few weeks. i followed the guidelines exactly. i was lactose intolerant more like the first year after the surgery. i still don't eat red meat, but not because I can't. still sometimes fibrous foods like broccoli upset my stomach, but it just means i have to chew more thoroughly. i can now eat anything i want and i don't really get full very easily. my continued loss has been 100% will power.

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

pretty much null. you have no energy when your body thinks your starving

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

calcium, multi, b12

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?

sleep disturbance! i always get terrible insomnia after a surgery for months. it affects every part of my life. i hate it. after my rny, i had minimal and short-term hair thinning. i was lucky. but i got all my protein in to prevent the loss.

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

the emotional changes were awful, but out here trying to keep the weight off is absolute hell.

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

carmel surgical staff are great. a nut for life and they're always willing to answer questions on the phone. they have support groups too, but i don't go.

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

you can't see my bariatric scars, now my plastics scars are pretty obvious

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

i've had a million. they happen. it's normal. i say, just deal with it.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

heck yes! they treat me like a person. they look me in the eyes. they hold doors for me. they listen when i speak. it's remarkable.