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

I went to a seminar at a hospital a couple of years ago and it sounded interesting, but terribly expensive since I wasn't quite heavy enough to qualify for insurance coverage.

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

I found out that our insurance specifically will not cover any type of weight loss surgery, regardless of your weight. That meant that I knew I would have to be a self-pay if I did it.

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

I met Dr. Gornichec at another seminar about lap-band surgery. It was a small group and he seemed perfectly satisfied to stay all night and answer questions if we needed him to. He was very informed and able to answer every question that was asked. He wasn't at all pushy about it and let us know that it wasn't a cure-all remedy. We would have to do a lot of work after the surgery if we wanted to be sucessful. He also let us know all of the possible problems that could happen.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had just lost 25 pounds again with Jenny Craig and regained it in less than a year. I decided that the only way I could keep it off would be to have the surgery.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The lap band seemed much less severe than the gastric bypass. I didn't like the malabsorption part of the bypass either. I wanted to be sure that if I got sick later in life, I wouldn't have a problem being able to absorb all the nutrients I needed.

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 think there are possibilities of complications or death in any surgery, but I wasn't any more concerned about this. It was a laproscopic surgery, less invasive, and I felt pretty good about 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?

They knew about my struggle and were very supportive. My husband has been incredibly supportive after the surgery, even considering that for awhile, it affected his meal plan as well, since I was cooking at first!

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

The hospital has a good reputation and I was confident that I had chosen a good place for the operation. I was considered outpatient, but they kept me in for 23 hours. Since everything was fine, I think I would rather have gone home, but I imagine it's good for them to keep an eye on you for a little while. It was just noisy and disruptive, whereas I would have slept all the time at home. Of course, they wanted to make sure that I got up and walked around to prevent any blood clots.

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

no complications at all. I did develop a rash on the insides of my arms and over my stomach, but I took Benedril and it disappeared.

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

We had planned a vacation to Colorado two weeks after the surgery so we drove out (I wore a wide elastic band around my stomach to support it) and it was a very relaxing time. I hardly even thought about the surgery, other than I couldn't lift anything and I could only eat liquids. I thought it was a wonderful way to recover. I was slightly tender around the port area for awhile.

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

I've already forgotten. It wasn't a big deal at all. Of course you'll feel gassy at first. Remind yourself not to lift. Listen to your body and walk slowly whenever you can.

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

It was local

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.

liquids at first, graduating to mushy soft food, ending with a little bit of whatever I could tolerate. Right now I can eat a little of whatever I want. Bread can be a problem. For some reason it seems to plug the stoma. Food needs to be moist. Meat cooked in a pressure cooker is great. Sometimes lettuce isn't so great.

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

At first I found that I took slow walks. By 6 weeks I felt completely back to normal and now I'm walking on the treadmill every day for 30-40 minutes. I intend to start weight training as well.

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

I found liquid multi-vitamins and minerals which I add to a protein drink in the morning. It's been very hard to swallow pills since the restriction has been good. They kind of sit in my chest for a long while and it's not comfortable.

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 haven't had any of those side effects. One time I did have sliming--I was slowly eating some french bread. It didn't seem to have any trouble going down. All of a sudden I felt like I was filled to the top of my throat. I tried to take a drink to help it along but instead I ended in the bathroom, spitting slime into a waste basket. It was pretty nasty.

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

I don't like being in the "recovery" stage where your energy isn't normal and you have to be careful not to lift, etc. I just don't like to be laid up, I guess. it wasn't painful but I was just impatient.

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

I read alot online, especially the OH messageboards. And I have a friend that has had the surgery as well so we compare notes.

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

They are all practically gone except for the one that is over the port, and I'm not even 3 months out of surgery.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none so far.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not really. My family and friends are excited for me but strangers don't seem to be any different.