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

I found out about it through a friend at work. Several of my friends have had it. I have always felt that shortcuts come with punishment. That is why I never wanted to do this surgery before. I know it sounds silly, and I know this will not be easy, but it still feels like the easy way out. I have learned that you can't really succeed without hard work and diligence, and this makes the work easier and therefore somehow, fake. What I have learned since then is that I am not perfect, my weight may not be totally in my control or just a matter of will power, and that I deserve a second chance at the life I was meant to lead.

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

Getting to see the surgeon was pretty easy, just a referral from my Doctor. The insurance company require a lot of documentation, but once they got it I was approved in less then two weeks.

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

My first visit was wonderful. They had chairs with arms on them, but they were in different sizes so I could be comfortable. Everyone was helpful. The only complaint I could possibly think of, and it is totally out of their control, is waiting so long for the appointment. It took months.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I want to live and be the person I was supposed to be. I know in my heart, this is not it for me. I am supposed to be different, somehow more, and with a higher purpose. My weight is keeping me from destiny.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I got as much information as I could. I went to group meetings and spoke with my friends who already had the surgery. I like the laproscopy RNY because I can get back to work, I have never been good at being useless.

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 do have fears, and my husband has the same fears, but I want to live and right now dying young is certain, with the surgery, its only a small chance.

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 family had no opinion. They are not very involved. My mother-in-law was very supportive.

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

My supervisor was happy for me. I missed two weeks and went back part time for the third week.

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

My hospital stay started out pretty nice. Good drugs on demand and a comfy bed. My husband stayed with me. About two days into the stay they switched me to a special bed for big people. That thing was hard and miserable. I was there for almost 5 days. I had slight complications. I didn't use very much of what I brought. Mostly I slept and talked on the phone. My husband kept me company the whole time.

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

In the hospital they did not give me my blood pressure meds because my pressure stayed down. I had withdrawls. It turns out the meds were regulating my heart rate as well as my blood pressure. They never did figure out what the problem was. They sent me home and my primary care physician figured it out a week later.

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

In the weeks after I got my surgery date I felt nervous and excited. I love change and I am easily bored with the status quo. I was just happy to have something changing in my life. I coped with anxiety by staying busy. I also had about 100 last meals in all my favorite places. Food has always made me feel better.

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

I was very tired and still having a medication problem. I was miserable, but my mother-in-law was with me and she made me feel much better.

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

I travelled about 30 miles for surgery. After care was fine. I missed my 3 month visit but it was my scheduling problem, not theirs.

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.

Corn has been off limits. Anything with sugar, or more then just a touch of sugar alcohol. Natural fruit, at six months out, doesn't seem to bother me. I eat grapes, banana's, carrots. All well chewed. I still can't drink orange juice, even low carb.

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

I had low activity due to complications

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

I started with chewable childrens vitamins. I dumped on the flintstones brand but not the wal-mart generic. I got the ones with Iron because I have always had a little Iron problem. My six month labs say I am fine.

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?

Hair loss is the worse. I have bad dumping, but deep down I know that is good for me. I only vomit when I try to eat certain things or I don't chew enough. I am six months out now and the hair is just coming out in clumps :( I know this too shall pass.

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

I miss food.

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

I have a local support group in my town. It is very important. They inspire me.

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

My scars are still red, but I think they will fade. I expected them to heal and turn back to regular skin color faster. I used to be a very fast healer.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have them all the time. They usually last three weeks, then I will lose for a week, then plateau for three or four weeks, then lose for a week. Its the same every month.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, most people are very complimentary and think I am doing a better job at work. I am getting more hours on my part time job. Socially, more people want to spend time with me. On the negative side, my husband is not dealing well with the changes. Have some marital problems.