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

I've known about it for awhile now because my doctor has suggested it, I just never thought I was "that" heavy!! I always thought it was for morbidly obese people, then one day I realized that I was mobidly obese!!

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

No problems whatsoever! They approved almost immediatly!

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

My surgeon on the first meeting did not make a great Social immpression, but my husband reminded me that he is being professional and VERY serious!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

We went to Las Vegas ... I had to fit my fat a** in the airplane seat and ask for an extension for the seat belt. I was mortified!!! My feet hurt so bad from walking in LV that I just about couldn't walk another step!! When we got home and got the pictures developed (THIS IS WHEN I GOT SERIOUS). I looked awful in the pictures!!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I knew I did not want to have open RNY as the healing process is so much longer! We do not have anyone local that does LAP RNY so had to drive about 4 1/2 hours to have the surgery! I was glad I did...my surgeon knows alot about the surgery and is very GOOD!!

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 fears were pretty strong! And I was worried about long term effects from the surgery, however, the fears of having complications from obesity were stronger!

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?

At first my family was very skeptical, however, with education they were really great and learned with me!!

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

I have a home based business so did not have to worry about this....

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

The hospital staff at Sioux Valley Hospital was WONDERFUL!! However, my stay was horrible, because I couldn't get comfortable and I couldn't sleep. I was fortunate and only had to be in the hospital for 3 days, so I did not have to endure it too long, but the nurses and aids were great they tried their very best to make me feel comfortable!

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

NONE!!! YEAH!!!

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 started getting really anxious about a week out from the surgery and wondering if I was making the right decision. But my husband was a huge supporter, and this helped me to make my decision.

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

My first few days home from the hospital were awful!! But about a week out I started feeling better. I think the paranoia is the worst part of it. Hoping that nothing goes wrong!

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

4 1/2 hour drive to Sioux Valley Hospital. It was a long drive, but well worth it because I was able to have Lap RNY and I am farther along in my recover than some that I know that had to have the open surgery. My aftercare will not be affected to much because I have phone services at any time, and also the computer....Dr. Glatt's nurse, Tami, is WONDERFUL!!!

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.

2 weeks out of surgery - Only can have Full liquids (hate this part!!) However, the farther I got out of surgery the more I was willing to try. I am very fortunate because I am able to eat about everything and now that I am 4 1/2 months post op...I can eat everything EXCEPT sweets....just makes me sick to my pouch to eat anything sweet.

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

My activity level right out of the hospital up to a week out of surgery was pretty limited, however, I walked everyday. Since almost 3 mo. post op I have been walking, Pilates, weight lifting! It makes me feel great!

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

2 children's vitamins a day (one in the morning and one in the afternoon) 9 weeks post op - Centrum chewable, B12 lozenge, calcium citrate

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?

The first month was pretty tough, however, after that I only got sick if I eat things that are too dry...also, peas make me sick!!

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

THE FIRST MONTH!!! I just didn't feel good, was tired and the stalls in the weight loss got me paranoid that I was not going to lose anymore weight!!

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

Obesityhelp.com! Everyone here is so WONDERFUL!! I live in a small town and there are no aftercare programs here.

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

My scars are rather small, I had LAP RNY, but after 4 1/2 mo. out...they are still dark.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had several stalls so far, no plateaus yet! I have gone 2 - 3 weeks at a time with no weight loss...then all of a sudden it will start again!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes and No! It is frustrating when people tell me now that I am getting too skinny! And at 4 1/2 mo. post op I still want to lose another 38 pounds! People keep telling my husband that if I don't watch out I will be finding a new husband, which is totally stupid...like losing weight has anything to do with that! I love my husband and am actually amazed at how my surgery has brought us closer together! My self confidence is back and it allows me to be me!!