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

My step-brother's wife had WLS several years ago and lost a lot of weight quickly. I was impressed.

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

I was approved very quickly with little or no problems in regard to insurance.

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

Dr. Legha was very formal and spent quite a bit of time explaining the surgery to me. He asked many questions about my health and family history. He looked me in the eye and told me he could help me. He also explained the surgery was a tool and I could use my tool to get my health back.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My friend's daughter was having a baby. I realized that if I wanted to live to see grandchildren, something had to change.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr. Legha made his recommendation. As my health care provider, I trusted him to know which surgery was right 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 was afraid that I would die on the table. I was also afraid I would fail, that I would eat something I wasn't supposed to eat and make myself ill. Don't be afraid of being afraid. Fear is normal. Just trust in yourself.

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?

Pre-op, I only told the people in my life that I knew would be supportive. If I had an doubt, they were not told until afterwards. You need all the positive support you can get.

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

My boss and coworkers have been wonderful throughout the entire process. I was out 2 weeks. Since I have an office job, I really could have gone back to work after a week. I felt well enough to go back at least part time.

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

I was only in the hospital overnight. I took quite a few things with me. But, I only used my robe, toothbrush, and hair brush.

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

I had no complications at all from the surgery.

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 tired for the first 6 weeks or so and went to bed early each night. Otherwise, I felt fine.

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

It will be hard to get in your protein and water at first. Just get in as much as you can. Get creative and put protein powder in lots of things. It's normal to be tired and a bit grumpy. It will get better.

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

The hospital/doctor are about a 20 minute drive. My husband stayed home with me the first two weeks and drove me. He wanted to help me with my after care. But, I did so well that he ended up being in my way instead.

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.

I was on partial liquids for the first 10 days then moved on to puree from day 10 until 3 weeks. After 3 weeks, I was released to eat anything I could tolerate. I stayed with simple low fat proteins for about 10 weeks then started adding more complicated things. I still stay away from carbs unless they are in fresh fruits and vegetables.

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

I started walking within days of surgery and went back to aqua aerobics when my doctor said I could at day 10. At 10 weeks, I added weight training. Now, at 8 months, I go to the gym 6 days a week. I do 3 days of cardio and 3 days of weight training. Weight training tones and builds muscle AND it increases your metabolism.

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

I started off taking 2 chewable children's vitamins daily. Then at about 3 months, I changed to a single adult multi-vitamin. I also take calcium citrate and biotin daily. And, once a week I take a b-12.

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 still have a bit of nausea in the morning. Thinking back, I realize I even had that a bit pre-op. So, breakfast tends to be a pre-mixed protein drink. I had a hard time sleeping the first few weeks dues to pain in my incision areas. Hair loss started at about 2.5 months and tapered off about month 7. The hair loss was minimal. I ended up cuting my hair really short. That way the loss was less noticable.

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

The constipation in the first few months was bad. I learned to take fiber suppliments daily. Also, I seem to have REALLY bad gas. I've heard that gets better.

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

I see my surgeon on a regular basis. He has told me that he will follow-up with me for 5 years. I also attend a support group each month at the hospital where my surgery was performed. Support groups are important. You can talk to others who have had surgery and can get tips and support.

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

I have 5 teenie tiny little scars. You hardly notice them at all.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Ah, the dreaded plateaus. I had my first one at about 3 weeks out and it lasted 3 weeks. I didn't loose an ounce but I did loose 4 inches from my waist! I'm now about 8 months out and I've had at least 3 plateaus that lasted at least 3 weeks each. The most recent lasted 4 weeks. My weight loss now seems to go like this ... I play with the same 2-3 lbs for weeks. I loose it, I gain it, I loose it again, I gain it again. Then, BAMM! Overnight, I'll loose 5 lbs. Then, I start playing with 2-3 lbs again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People are treating me differently. People who used to ignore me at the gym, now want to talk to me. Men now look me in the eye and smile. Even women treat me differently.