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

My knee surgeon suggested it. I was offended that he suggested it. I thought it was a cop out.

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

My insurance co took so long to approve it, my surgery had to be postponed. Best advise: keep copy's of EVERYTHING, call the ins. co at least once a week for updates.

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

Good meeting. Bring copy's of all of your records with you to every appointment. You never know if they are missing something it could hold you up. Bring a list of questions with you as well as your date book to write down appointments, follow up's, etc.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I got real with myself. I decided to look into WLS after Al Roker "came out" he looked great, FELT great and had no shame. Once I was educated about WLS, I knew it was for me.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My Doctor only does RNY. Lap or open was decided at the time of surgery although he strives to do all patients lap.

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 was afraid of dying. I have a wonderful 15 year old son that needs me and I worried that I was making a huge gamble. I was honest with my surgeon as to my medical history. I've had 2 DVT's and was told by another Dr. that due to that history, I would NOT be eligable for WLS. My surgeon wanted to be VERY careful and said I had to have a filter inserted in my veina cava (main vein) to catch any possible clots. I did not want to do it. He said it would be a shame to have a sucessful WLS and then have me die of a clot. That put it in perspective for me. After the procedure, I felt that EVERYTHING possible had been done to protect me and it was in Gods hands now. I knew if I didn't have WLS, I would die from obesity, it was now a matter of which way would it be. The best way to make the decision is to educate yourself and research your doctor.

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 have chosen to tell very few people. My husband & son know. I told my boss, whom I'm very close to. I had to tell my co-workers, but not until just before surgery.I shared it with my neighbors that we are close to. I told a few people that I'm not really close to (hair dresser, massage therapist) they have ALL been awesome! I think I underestimated them. That was my head doing all of the negative thinking. I have chosen NOT to tell my mom, my step kids, my ex-husband (for obvious reasons!) and some of my co-workers from another office. I think it has to do with a Doctor that told me that WLS is an "easy way out" what a load of crap! He embarrased me. It is easier now to share my success, but still somewhat difficult.

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

My boss was (and is) the greatest! I told her when I first started looking into WLS (about a year before the actual surgery) and kept her posted on my progress as dates became available. She has been a huge support to me thru the whole process. She has never had a weight problem so I found it hard to share some things. I was out of work for 6 weeks and my business is hard to just get a temp so it was extra work for her & my co-workers. They were all awesome!

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

I was in the hospital for 3 days. The staff was very nice. I found the night shift nurse was more caring than day shift. They were all very busy and had way too much to do. Bring a pillow for the ride home. Hold it against your tummy to help get over the bumps in the road.

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

NONE!!! WOO-HOO!!

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 anxious. My PCP gave me a RX for valium for night time to help me relax. I just had a wonderful supportive husband who talked me through the rough times. I kept asking myself "what am I doing?" And I realized that I had an answer. I could give myself a good answer. That helped me a lot.

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

I couldn't get comfortable. At one point, I had 10 pillows surrounding me. Then I got in the recliner. That was a huge help! I was very tired. I couldn't get my required water & protien drinks in. That was hard. I was lucky enough to have a very sweet co-worker that had WLS the year before come over every day after work and answer questions and make sure I was getting my protien. Just knowing that I was on the right track from her experience was a big help.

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

Only about 10 miles. My surgeon's office says to call ANYTIME and they are great about aftercare.

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 2 weeks were: Protien drinks (crystal light & liquid protien) blenderized bean with bacon soup, sugar free pudding, water. Weeks 3-4 were: all of the above and, cottage cheese, egg, yogurt. Weeks 5-6 were the above and pureed chicken. Weeks 7-8 I could add most anything starting with softer foods. At 12 weeks post-op (now) I can eat anything really. Raw carrots, chicken, shrimp,etc. I had a bite of hubby's crem brulee-bad news. I found out I can tolerate sugar. I've done pretty well at avoiding it though.

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

I didn't want to leave the house for about the first 2 weeks. Since then you can't stop me! It's go, go, go all of the time!

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

Flintstones chewable multi vitamins Pepcid complete Just starting (at 12 weeks) calcium 1200mg b12 sub-lingual

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?

So far I have not dumped, have only vomited once ( I ate too fast) and am just starting to lose a bit of hair. My sleep pattern has been off, but not too bad.

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

There's a bad part?

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

AMOS & OH support pages.

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

5 itty bitty scars. Yes, they are pretty much what I expected. They are already fading at 12 weeks.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have been on a plateau since week 9 (now at week 11) I have seen from the OH message boards that others that had surgery at about the same time are also experiencing the same plateaus. So I'm not worried.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES!! Men especially. I seem to be visable now.