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

Two of my friends had it done and they looked great! My Diabetic doctor referred my to a gastric bypass doctor and I did research for over a year. I finally decided to do it!

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

My insurance wanted the past 18 months of dieting on paper. I had that. I also had high blood pressure, high cholesteral, and I was diabetic. Once everything was sent to insurance, I was approved within 2 weeks! My advice to you would be, to be organized and have all of the information needed for your insurance. I would call them before you decide to go on this journey and ask them what their guidelines are for this type of surgery.

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

My first visit was her consultation class. I found out alot about the surgery and got to meet with her one on one. My advice for you would be to have your questions written down and to ask questions during the consultation class.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Well I was 310 pounds and wore size 30/32. The sizes didn't go up any more and I was tired of always coming home and being lazy. I have a 3 year old son that I want to be there for when he grows up. I just wanted to be healthier!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr. RoseMarie Jones suggested the LAP - RNY surgery 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 had a lot of fears of complications, but more on dying. After taking the Nutrition class, they pretty much went over the percentage of deaths and the reasons why of their deaths. Most deaths were from people not following the guidelines soon after surgery. By not walking and they formed blood clots. The other percentage was not due to the surgery, but they have to say it was because it was within 6 months of their surgery date. My advice to you would be to do alot of research and to ask alot of questions. Attend the support groups in your area and ask them questions too!

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 friends were behind me, but my family was not. They had fear of me dying. They are alot better now and are happy that I made the decision to have it done.

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

My employer was wonderful and very supportive of my decision. I told them about the surgery and how much time I would have to be off and I scheduled it around my non busy time of the year. I was out of work for 3 weeks.

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

St. Vincent of Carmel, Indiana is a wonderful hospital. The Gastric Bypass patients have their own wing of the hospital. They have the equipment there if anything goes wrong. The nurses and doctors are very helpful and are very educated on this surgery. I went home the next day. I felt wonderful, a little sore, but better than I thought I would be. Your hospital or doctor should give you a packet in the Nutrition Class with what to bring to the hospital. I went by that.

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

I have not had any complications as of yet. I am 3 months out now.

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 like I was in a dream after I was approved. I was so happy and excited to be the new me! That dream came true and I am still living the dream of weight loss! About 2 weeks before my surgery date, I did feel a little anxiety, if whether I should do it or not. But I kept telling myself I have gone to far to decline this surgery. I am so glad I went ahead and did the surgery. I am 3 months out and have lost around 67 pounds and feel wonderful!

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

I went home the next day after my surgery and felt a little sore. You will see fast food commercials and feel like you have made the wrong choice and will want to cry. Keep taking your antidepressent medicine and once this kicks into your system, you will feel better. Once you start seeing results, then you forget about the commercials and feel great! The first 6 weeks is the hardest because of the liquid/soft food diet they have you on. You will get tired of the food, but please stick with it. It will get better in time.

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

I only traveled about 45 minutes to the hospital. Not bad at all. This did not affect my after care.

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 6 weeks, I had to eat soft foods (Applesauce, sugar free popcicles, 1% lowfat cottage cheese, unflavored mashed potatoes, broth soup). 6-12 weeks, I ate a more variety of foods. I have had pasta, 90% lean ground beef, chicken, fish, pretzels, popcorn, cheese, crackers, vegetables, fruit, etc. I can tolerate beef better then chicken. I only have beef once a week or less. I eat more fish than anything. Fish makes me feel alot better and gives me more energy.

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

I was sore the first 2 weeks. The third week I played catch up with my sleeping. I couldn't sleep in a bed until my drain tube was taken out, which was the second week. 8 weeks out, I had a lot of energy and always had to be doing some sort of activity. Whether it be laundry, cleaning the house, gardening, etc. I am 12 weeks out and I feel wonderful. I am not lazy and sometimes I think I over exert myself. But I can't just sit down anymore.

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

I have been taking Flinstone Vitamins, B-12 shots once a month.

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 really haven't had that many side effects. I have only gotten sick twice. I do feel nausiated sometimes. I also have had some hair loss. But it is nothing that is drastic. I coped with them just fine.

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

The worst part of the surgery process was the fact you couldn't do anything for the first couple of weeks. The first 6 week diet was awful! But I would do this all over again.

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

My friends and family are my biggest support group. Indianapolis, IN has a couple of support groups that are awesome to goto. I feel it is very important to attend these support groups before and after your surgery date. The support group will answer alot of pre opt and post opt questions that you may have. After surgery, it is just nice to make new friends and have post op questions answered.

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

I have 5 little scars. They are not ugly at all. I was hoping they would be this small.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I haven't hit any plateau's yet. I am 3 months out and have lost around 67 pounds.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I have been getting more looks from men now and yes people do treat me differently. But I base that on more of me on how I feel about myself now. I have been getting alot of compliments too.