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

I had heard about it probably from a tv show, I never thought I'd need to go through with anything like it. I thought that one day I'd wake up and have the self control to just stop my relationship with food. It always seemed like the last resort.

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

Well, honestly, my insurance approved me pretty easily and quit fast. My advice would just be to call your insurance and ask if and how much they cover and what other steps you should take to insure that you are able to get approved.

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

My first visit with my surgeon went really well. All of the receptionists, nurses and especially Dr. Doraiswamy made me feel very comfortable, and of course I had my mother there to help with any questions or concerns that I may have forgotten about or that she may have had. My advice, write down any questions you may have and/or take a loved one with you to ask any questions or bring up any concerns that they might have.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had exhausted any other efforts of trying to do it on my own, thus, leaving me with the 'last resort'. I was tired of continuing to gain weight and being so unhappy with myself and in life period.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I went into the whole process thinking I wanted the lap-band and that that would be the right choice for me, but after speaking with Dr. Doraiswamy, I was conflicted. I'd learned that, because of the things I love eating, with the lap-band I'd still be able to eat them, I'd only be limited on how much I could eat. The RNY would not only limit how much I can eat but also what I'm able to eat. I figured, why go through the whole process only to be able to continue doing exactly what I'm doing now, If I'm gonna make a change, it's going to be a big one. So I went home that day not sure which procedure I wanted to have, but by the time I got home I realized that the RNY was the right choice for me. So I got on the phone and called the office to let them know I was ready to move on to the next stage.

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?

With all honesty, my fears were very minimul. I always felt that if I continued on the path that I was leading, I'd end up in bad shape anyway. So I just said a prayer and figured if God didn't want me to go through with it, he'd do everything in his power to prevent me from even being approved. I'm happy to say that once I put it in God's hands everything went quickly and smoothly.

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 mother was the one who suggested the surgery in the first place, so when I finally decided to go with it, she was ecstatic. My brother, on the other hand, not so much. He had a lot of questions and concerns, mostly about the actual surgery, but once I'd assured him I'd done all of the research I could he felt a little better about it. The day of surgery, though, he was a nervous reck. The rest of my family, knowing that they didn't really have an affect on me whether or not they agreed, just wished me luck, said a prayer and seemed to be happy for me.

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

I didn't plan on telling anyone at work, but the surgery itself came up casually, being that my manager is overweight himself, I felt I could confide in him and he'd understand. So I decided to tell him that the two weeks of vacation I was about to take off in a month were because I was going to have the RNY gastric bypass. He was very suportive and happy for me. I was out for a little over 2 weeks.

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

My stay in the hospital was, well as good as it could have been considering the situation. The staff, and nurses were all very helpful and extremely friendly. The hospital itself is beautiful, it sound strange saying that about a hospital but it's the truth. I was in the hospital overnight and released the day after surgery in the late afternoon. It's best to bring a change of clothes, toothbrush and other essentials, slippers, a book in case you get bored, and a pillow for the car ride home.

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

Thank God, I did not have any complications, I hardly even felt any pain, except for the first night back home.

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 super excited, I just wanted it to be done with already. I didn't feel much anxiety, I internalize my stress or anxiety, which isn't necessarily a good thing either, but I just let my body deal with it.

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

My first few weeks home were a bit hard and frustrating. I felt so tired all of the time, but wanted and NEEDED to get out of the house, but anytime I tried I couldn't do much. The two weeks after surgery felt like forever. It was also stressful trying to get as much protein supplement, other liquids and vitamins in when, first of all I wasn't ever hungry. In fact, the thought of even drinking anything disgusted me, but as time passed it got easier. Expect to feel weak and tired, try not to make yourself sick trying to get all of your required protein and liquid in, pace yourself.

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

Not very far at all, the car ride home was 15 minutes long in some traffic.

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'm barely going into my 7th week post op, and barely moved on to solid foods, so I'm still trying to figure out what my new stomach can and cannot handle right now. It's been difficult and pretty much any meat products make me feel sick right now. I'm mostly on soups and softer foods, things that may seem easier to digest, but slowly trying different things out, one at a time to try and figure out what I should avoid for the time being.

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

For the first week and a half I just walked around the house for a bit, I would easily get tired, rest for a bit then walk some more. Into the second week things got a bit easier, I felt less tired and was able to walk around the mall a couple of times. As soon as my surgeon said I was able to, I started doing 10 - 15 minutes of cardio and have increased it as I see comfortable since then.

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

My vitamins consist of 3 flinestone multi-vitamin chewables a day, 2 viactiv (calcium) a day and a b-12 mondays and fridays. I drink 1 to 1 1/2 cans of Pure Protein chocolate 35g protein shakes a day.

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?

Nausea, and vomiting have been the worst for meso far, I don't think I've experienced dumping yet, since I've only just started eating regular food again. Hair loss, was pretty bad in the beginning but has seemed to stop now.

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

The emotions you go through, feeling as though nobody understands, the feeling of not losing weight or losing too slowly have affected me the most.

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

I don't go to any groups personally, I mostly just stick to online forums. The online forums have helped me a lot. Especially when feeling like nobody understands, they've all been through it, are going through it or are about to go through it. It's helpful to hear that these people, people just like me, have been through it all before, and they give some great advice, and support.

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

I have 5 small scars, they are deffinitely nothing like I had expected. I actually kind of like them, they give me character, add a story or at least a chapter to a story of my life. They're maybe and inch or smaller in length and have smoothed over now, leaving a tiny, smooth reddish line.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Well it seems like every other week there's a plateau. I'll lose 2-5 pounds one week and for the next 1 1/2 to 2 weeks I won't lose any, but I'll continue to lose inches off my body. Apparently, my body is just catching up, so I've started measuring myself one week and the next I'll weigh myself. TRUST ME WHEN I SAY THIS, if the needle, or numbers on a scale don't move, trust your clothes. Buy yourself a measuring tape, it'll save you a lot of grief when you feel like it's not working.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet, no. I don't think many people, other than close friends and family, have noticed. Or maybe they've just chosen not to mention anything about it.