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

I found out through word of month. I actually can not remember when I heard about. I do remember taking to a lady who had had it and said her insurance company covered it. So I started research then, but was told my insurance company viewed it as a cosmetic surgery and refused to cover it, that was in 2000. In 2004, I started researching it a little harder and decided that it was not for me. 6 weeks later I got diagnosed with diabetes and started yet another diet, after that one failed, I knew I had to do the surgery no matter what the cost.

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

I called my insurance company to find out why this new company would not cover it, as the rep said, they did. That is all it took. I started the processes. It took 4 days for approval once my insurance company had my information.

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

It was like a round robin. I saw the pyschologist, then the nutritionist, and then the surgeon all in about 2 hours. I would advise people to come prepared with questions, if they do not get answered in the consult then ask them.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I just kinda fell into it. I had started out just wanting information so that I could make an informed decision, but the more I heard the more I wanted to do it no matter what the price but before surgery and after. I wanted the weight gone!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon only does Lap RNY unless your situation calls for him to do it open.

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 great fears! I almost backed out about 1 week before the surgery. But being on the site made me realize that I was not alone with the fears and the fact that I was young and relatively healthy. I think those fears are normal! You have complications with ALL surgeries, but since this one is such in the lime light now, you hear about them more than say heart 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?

I could not have wished for better responses from everyone. I got more support than I knew what to do with. They were great.

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

They were ver supposrtive as well.

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

Quiet, I was a good patient. I was in the hospital for 2 days. I think the most important thing to bring is chap stick. Your lips are so dry.

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

I had 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 felt better than I every had. I had energy and was happy from day 1. I had no anxiety.

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

I had tons of energy and was ready to go. I had no pain. I never took my pain meds after leaving the hospital. I had such an easy time.

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

I ad the surgery done in the town I live at. So my travel was about 5 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 been able to tolerate everything. Yogurt is the only thing that gave me a little trouble. It was like the pouch did like it, but I did not get nauseous. I did dump on a protein bar once, but realized that it had too many carbs.

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

I have a very high energy level.

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

I take 2 childrens multi-vitamin, 3 calcium citrate, 1 B-12.

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 had only 1 bout of nausea and vomiting in the hospital, but nothing major. I do get nauseous if I have not eated in a while and I will get nauseaous as I get full. But the feelings go awayin minutes.

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

The before hand. I was nervous and scared.

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

There is a support group at the hospital that meets once a month and a local support group that meets once a week. They are very important, they keep you grounded.

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

I have 6 scars. They are about 1/2-1 inch long.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

No plateaus yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No