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

I am a nurse and have been at least passingly familiar with bariatric surgery for years. I felt it was a very good thing for those who needed it.

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

I was approved very quickly-on the first try. I did have to get a copy of an operation report on my knee and fax it to the insurance company when they said they couldn't locate it.

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

I knew the surgeon from work. I always liked his quiet manner and openness with his patients. I would suggest people write down any qusetion in advance. It's easy to forget keypoints when you meet the surgeon.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My best friend had it and so did several other people I worked with and they all seemed to feel so much better I wanted to see if it helped with my chronic pain and at 50, I knew losing all the weight on my own would be extremely difficult and sow.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon only does the RNY which was the surgery I wanted. I wasn't really interested in having a huge component of malabsorbtion and I have not been really impressed with the lap band, at least for myself.

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 a congenital bleeding disorder so that was a concern.

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?

They mostly said I didn't need it but when I explained it was for pain not for looks they understood better.

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

They were fine with it. I was off for 6 weeks.

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

It was fine. I was a patient on the unit where I worked as a supervisor so I had a great stay. I brought personal shower stuff and pajama's

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

I had a leak in surgery which Dr. Diamond repaired on the spot. I have had 2 strictures and 2 ulcers since.They have been a small price to pay for how good I feel.

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 nervous and excited.

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

I was pretty uncomfortable for the first week. After that the pain went away fairly quickly. It was hard to get enough liquids in and I often had to remind myself to eat/drink.

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

I had surgery in the town I live in.

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 had a hard time with beef and pork. My tolerances are still changing-some things I can eat one day and not the next.

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

Sow the first few weeks then back to almost normal by week 3

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

Multi vit, iron, B12, vit C and calcium daily

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 still have a fair amount of nausea and vomitting. I had a period of about a month about 5 months out where I lost hair, but that has stopped.

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

Not having liquids with meals.

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

This site is my main support-that and my friend who also had the procedure

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

6 lap sites. Just as I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

After about 3 months I would have a week or two where I wouldn't lose then I would drop a few pounds at once. Weight does fluctuate a bit- I don't weigh daily anymore-too frustrating.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Actually, yes. Men seem more attentive. Clothing store sales people seem to be more attentive.