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

My new family doctor suggested it and I blew it off.

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

The waiting is the hardest part, you have made this huge decision to change your life, you dot all the I's cross all the T's then you wait to hear if this life changing surgery you have decided to have will happen or not.

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

My surgeon explained everything in detail on my first visit and gave me his opinion of which surgery would be best for me and I'm glad he did. Questions, Questions, Questions have them ready.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My Father has type 2 diabetes and I had gestational diabetes with my pregnancy so even though I didn't have it yet, it was hanging over my head. My father fell off a ladder and broke his ankle. Watching what he went thru for 2 years because it took so long to heal because the the diabetes.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I read alot, asked my surgeon what he thought and I felt I needed all the help I could get so I would best be suited with the gastric bypass so I would have 2 things working for me, a smaller stomach and less calories and fat being absorbed in my intestines.

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?

My biggest fear was dying during the surgery and leaving my son without a mother, how could I take that chance when I should just put the fork down and I wouldn't be risking death. Then I realized I was risking death everyday from being so overweight the surgery was the only way I was going to have a fighting chance to see my son grow up.

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 chose to only tell my immediate family I was having the surgery, everyone else I just told I was having a medical procedure and It was a private matter. I chose to do this because I didn't want to hear everyone else's opinion as to why I should or should not have the surgery. It took me a year to make my mind up and no one was going to talk me out of it. I also didn't want to hear about how "Aunt Mary had that surgery and she died" I felt it was a private thing. Afterward I told everyone and they couldn't believe I could keep that a secret for so long.

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

I told my employer I was having a medical procedure and they were fine with that. After I returned to work I told them and they were very supportive. I took 3 weeks off work. I could have went back 1 week after surgery I felt so good however the type of work I do is physical so it was best I took off 3 weeks.

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

My hospital stay was great, I had no complications, the staff was wonderful all the bariatric patients were at the end of the hallway away from all the sick people. It was quite. My surgery was Wednesday at 2:30 and I went home Friday morning. Everything I needed was supplied by the hospital.

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 was so relieved once I got a surgery date, after 1 year of thinking about it and 6 months of insurance prep I was so ready, I never once felt anxiety about my decision never felt for a second "Oh my god, what am I doing". I guess I felt finally I have found a solution to a 32 year struggle.

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

The first week I was never hungry, I couldn't wait to get my drain out, I could not stand sleeping only on my back anymore. Keeping hydrated was the biggest challenge. I only took my pain medicine maybe twice. Expect to be happy you finally found a tool that really works.

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

The hospital was only 25 minutes from my house so I had no problems.

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.

The first week after surgery was all liquids, nothing with sugar. After about 2 weeks I tried cream soups, sugar free pudding, sugar free jello, sugar free Popsicles in small amounts. I next moved to cheese then bean soup mashed up. It took months before solid food felt right in my stomach It was some trial and error, my first try at chicken came back up and my second try did too. The most important thing is chew, chew, chew. At 18 months post op I have to say I still prefer soups and stews to solid food. I do eat solid food but find for me soups and stews are more filling and satisfying. I still occasionally eat something that just doesn't sit right and it will come back up. No sugar.

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

I slowly worked my way up.

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

Multi-vitamin, Calcium, B-12, Iron, Vit. D, Vit, A Bariatric Advantage Chewables have been my favorite. In the weeks after surgery Protein powder (fruit flavored) mixed with water was my go to.

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 have never dumped because I stay away from the things my surgeon told me not to eat for fear of dumping. I experienced hair loss but was also diagnosed with low thyroid at the time of my pre surgery testing so I'm not sure which caused it. It took about a year to see good re growth.

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

The drain, for a week after surgery, I could not stand sleeping on my back for a whole week. That is honestly the only thing I can complain about.

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

The program at my hospital has a great support group, except they meet in the hospital cafeteria.

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

Scars are hardly noticeable unless you are looking for them. My doctor said before surgery I would be able to wear a bikini that the scars would be so small and he was right. However, no bikini for me (my choice).

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

No plateau.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, because I have more confidence and don't feel like everyone is better than me.