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

TV news coverage: I was skeptical at first, but my interest grew as I informed myself more nad more about the procedure and it's benefits long term.

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

My HMO paid 100% of my surgery expenses.

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

It was GREAT! Ask a lot of questions; nothing should be off limits. Ask them about their personal coplication rate during/after surgery. Ask for realistic expectiations on your post-op weight and complication expectancies.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

After loosing 120 pounds, I was afriad that I would eventually regain the weight as I did numerous times in the past. I used gastric bypass surgery as an insurance policy of sorts to insure that I would not regain my weight.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My HMO decided for me.

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 didn't have any: I SHOULD have, but I didn't. That is my biggest regret. I did not prepare myself for the possibility that I could have complications.... and I have MAJOR complications. Prepare for the worst, and expect the best for your own surgery.

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 has always been supportive of my weight loss decisions. He was behind me 100%. My brother was terrified that I would die becuase of the surgery, and was very angry that I would put my life on the line to have this surgery.

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

I kept my employer 100% in the loop every step of the way: from my decision to have the surgery, right down to getting final approval from my HMO and setting a surgery date. They were very supportive and encouraging.... up until I got a surgery date. I told them the day after I got a 'date' (which was 3 months out) and I was terminated the very next day!!!! My position was 'no longer needed' with the company. I was very hurt and angry- and completely blindsided.

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

I was i nthe hospital 1 night after my initial lap surgery. Released the next day, and sent home (85 miles away from the hospital). I was airlifted by helicopter the day after from my local hospital when they discovered I had a life threathening leak. I then spent several weeks in ICU, and in the hospital before returning home. Bring shampoo and conditioner, lotion, chap stick, Listerine strips or breathe spray, razors, hair ties, tampons, sports bra (one or two sizes bigger than normal)

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

Severe leak at the re-attachment site of my intestine. Was corrected through an open RNY procedure. This second surgery caused my lung to collapse and a very large hematoma to form on my liver, which later needed another procedure to drian it.

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

Very anxious; I couldn't wait to get it done.

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

NO ENERGY! I can not tell you how tired I was ALL THE TIME! Walking 10 feet from the bed to the bathroom was enough to make me need a nap. Take it very slow, and be prepared to have no energy for a few months.

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

85 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.

At first I was very sensitive to all smells of food. Everything made me sick. I lived on cheese and crackers for several weeks until my food adversions changed. Sugar is not a problem for me, as long as I don't over do it. I am able to eat all foods in small amounts.

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

None- very tired all the time. It was a slow recovery period for me.

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

Bariatric Advantage multi vitamins and Iron. I did not like their calcium, so I switched to Citrical Calciums pills.

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 hair loss was very severe- I thought I was going to need a wig! From 3-6 months post op was the worst. At 6 months out, it finally stopped falling out.

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

I have 9 very small lap scars and drainage tube scars, and one long open incision scar from my second procedure. It is about 3 inches long, and fairly thin. Overall, the scars don't bother me like I thought they would. I don't care that my stomach has scars- I just like that it is FLAT! lol I show everyone my stomach! lol

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Expect plateaus every couple weeks- and dont freak out. Your body is just adjusting to the changes. I found changing the foods I was eating for 2-3 days helped end the plateau.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES! That has been the best and worst after affect of the weight loss. I never considered that people treated me differently becuase I was fat- I was very wrong! I am treated sooooo much differently now at 165 pounds than I was at 378 pounds. It makes me sad to think about it sometimes becuase I still view myself as the same person I was before, so why treat me any better? The attention I get is very flattering, but at times I feel almost embarrassed becuase I don't know how to resond to it yet.