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

I first found out about it when i was 19 living in New York. I was actually within a month away from having the surgery, but chickened out. I was not ready mentally.

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

I've had 3 different insurance coverages in my adult life, only 2 would cover most of the surgery. The best advise is just to call the insurance company directly and let them send you everything you need to do to fulfill their requirement for coverage. My insurance this time around required 6 weight coach phone calls - which were actually very helpful! (everything from how to manage everyday stress, to preparedness for lifestyle changes etc). It was more the doctor's office that had tougher requirements, but it was to ensure you were making the choice with clear mind for the rest of your life.

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

It wasn't all rainbows and sing-along. It was short and brief, but to the point. He was pleasant, but you could tell he knew what he was doing. I'd rather have a doctor that knows his stuff about cutting me apart, than have him be talented at cracking jokes. I met with a team of people that first meeting. Just do some research before hand and have some general questions. Most likely there will be a clinic (conference) scheduled that will address a lot of basics for each surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My commitment to my goal to become happier and healthier by 30 was my driving force to have the surgery.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I initially was thinking the RNY...then maybe the sleeve... the surgeon suggested I seriously consider having the duodenal switch because of it's long-term success of keeping larger amounts of weight off for longer.

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?

Even though my surgeons team is rated alongside some of the best in the United States, there's always fears going in. What if the power shuts off as he's making a cut before the generator kicks in, or what if I have gastric juice leaking, or more so, what if I get so sick after surgery I'll regret having it...I'm still new from the surgery, so I still have fear, but even the thought of "how am I going to get out of bed, or go to work" after surgery, it's been difficult, but I think being active before surgery helped with my strength to continue with a lot of my daily activities. Just getting off the couch or brushing your hair hurts some days, but keep moving and it will get better.

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?

What is difficult is my family is 1500 miles away from where I live. I rely on a small group of friends to help me out. All have been so supportive and even if they weren't, I still would have gone through with it. It's my life - not theirs. If they're so happy, why would they feel the need to belittle a decision that will help me become happy..(happier) :)

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

I only told my employer that I will be having major surgery. They have wished me well and have been supportive. I will be out of work for a week and 1/2.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

The one I attended to at the University of Minnesota was so well put together and answered a lot of questions I had. Even if it hadn't been a requirement, it was still good to go to for the information. It wasn't just talking, it was hands-on, demos, and very visual.

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 6 days, and it was comfortable. Definitely bring shampoo and conditioner, and chapstick! Otherwise if you have long thick wavy hair like I do, the baby head-to-toe wash is not going to do much for you. I didn't bother bringing a laptop. I brought magazines, but didn't bother to read them. I used my phone for a little bit of researching, but I was either out walking or resting. My nights were difficult, not just because of a drainage tube i had stuck up my nose down to my stomach, but nurses come in every 4 hours to check vitals and need you kinda awake for them. If I had an iPad that might have been nice to play little mindless games or watch netflicks on, but either way - I survived :)

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

Despite an 8 1/2 hour surgery, I did not have any complications. It was all done laparoscopically with my surgeon at the controls of the the Da Vinci robot.

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 used that anxiety to work out more. Once my date was set, I went to my gym and found a trainer who was willing to work with me and my goals.

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

It is a period of recovery, so take it slow, but keep moving! And yes, there will be lots of gas and liquidy bowl movements, but it just means things are waking back up and getting used to the new positioning. Make sure you have a reliable form a transportation home; one of my friends parents has a minivan which made getting in and out SO much more easier. Before your surgery, invest in a few more pillows, a step stool, a long-reach grabber, and a foam wedge (to sleep on an incline). I had a night where the night nurse didn't realize that my liquid oral meds had to be sipped slowly and gave them to me to basically chug...to say the least I was so nauseous and was just about throwing up that the only way to stop it was to sleep with my head all the way up and put the bed in reverse trendelenburg (angled feet down) slightly to sleep that night. Even nights after when I didn't have that issue, I still felt better sleeping like that. When I got home, my stack of pillows was no match and I was constantly coughing so I went the next day to Walmart to get 2 foam wedges.. much better.

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

I live within the Twin Cities - so it was less than a 1/2 hour drive.

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'll still be learning what works and doesn't work, but I can definitely tell you this, that my taste buds have DEFINITELY changed already. I taste any hint of salt in anything. Where I used to enjoy sugar free lime pops before, can't stand it now bc it tastes too artificial and salty. At the hospital I did enjoy veggie broth and diluted apple juice. I tried their diluted cranberry juice which normally I would have liked, but it was just way too sweet to swallow. I can't wait for full liquids :) pudding! haha

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

I live in a development, so tomorrow I'm just going to plan on taking the dog for short walks and increase the distance each time. The doctor wants me walking a mile in 4 weeks, so gotta get a move on!

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

none - at the follow up, they will direct me when to start taking those. I did order the chewable multi vites with high ADEK and calcium citrate chews from bariatric advantage.

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, just pain from the main port incision, and of course gas.

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

The worst part was definitely the drainage tube - once it was out I could cough, breath and burp so much easier. Even just three days tube free, I still have a pokey sore throat and a sore from where it rubbed on my nose. The purpose though is so important to have it in there that once you kept that in mind, and stopped focusing on the hours the doctors were going to make their rounds and say it could come out, it was ok.

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

Before surgery my post-op appointments were already made which was a relief. They do offer support groups ever week, which I fully intend to participate in.

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

I have 6 incisions and yes they are what I expected. What I didn't expect was that my abdomen where the doctor took out half the stomach, the skin would be indented as much as it was - or uneven with with the rest of my roll :)

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None yet to report!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, but I imagine people probably will once I start losing weight.