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

I had watched a TV program and that was the first information that I had heard about it.

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

My primary doctor told me that it would be best and easier if I was to get tested for several things prior to submitting for insurance approval. Since I had been having issues with sleeping and being so tired, she referred me to get tested for Sleep Apnea. I also met with the cardiologist to get clearance for surgery. After that we submitted for approval and within 1 week I was approved.

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

My first visit was a consultation/information seminar. I wrote down questions that I had prior to the meeting and took pen and paper with me. I also had read several books/articles on the different surgeries that are being performed and questioned him specifically on those.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I knew deep down that this was what I needed to save my life. I was 32 year old female with numerous health issues and I wanted to have children and be around to raise them.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I had originally wanted on less invasive procedure but after my information session with the surgeon, I learned that I might not be as successful with that surgery. I looked at my eating habits and found that RNY gastric bypass would be my best choice.

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 had many fears but most didn't hit me until the week before surgery. I tell people that it's part of the normal process that we go through. As far as dying, I was killing myself with my obesity and this was the chance that God gave me to save my life. I knew it was a risk but a small risk and it was one I was willing to take to have a better quality of life.

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 supportive but my husband was not. All of my "so - called Friends" were not supportive and neither were my co-workers. They are all nice to me now and go out of their way to talk to me and include me in things.

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

I was out of work for 5 days with my first surgery. They acted great, I told them what I was doing and that I really needed it. I had a complication 3 weeks after my original surgery and I was out of work for 9 days. I then was able to work from home for a while.

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

It was a very informative session. I had so many questions and they went over so many topics. I took a lot of notes and I read as much as possible. I was so glad that I attended because I walked out of there knowing more than I had imagined that I would have.

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

My hospital stay was great! I was there for 36 hours. Most important things to bring, extra pajamas, extra underwear and plenty of reading materials.

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

Yes, I had a bowel obstructions from an adhesion about 3 weeks after my initial surgery. I also had an 11 cm blood clot in my abdomen. I was re-admitted to the hospital and had surgery again.

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

After my surgery I felt great, until my bowel obstruction occurred. When that happened I had diarreah, extreme pain in my abdomen. I felt like I was in full labor, the cramps were so severe that I could not stand up. After being hospitalized I received pain medicine and felt better. After my second surgery I felt great. I was walking and overall was just a little tired.

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

I would say take it slow. As your body is healing it's very tiring. Also, be sure to keep drinking your fluids and get plenty of rest. It was not until about 4 weeks after my surgery that my energy level came back.

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

I traveled less than 10 miles.

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 liquids and soft foods for about 8 weeks (due to my 2nd surgery). At this point, I am over 8 months post op and I am allowed to have full diet but they ask me to limit carbs. I can only have 1 serving of fruit per day and they request me to not eat bread/pasta other than 1-2 times a week.

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

Right after surgery I rested. I was so worn out that I didnt have the energy to exercise other than some light walking. After 8 weeks I was able to do low impact aerobics for about 20 minutes and some walking.

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

Calcium, prenatal vitamin, B-complex, Potassium, Vitamin D, and Biotin

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 have only dumped a couple times. I did experience quite a bit of hair loss starting at 4 1/2 months post-op (one handful each day). That has since stopped. I still have a head full of hair.

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

Going through the approval process and the waiting until my surgery date. I was approved and then had to wait about a month for my surgery. The other thing I would like to mention is that this process is a mental process. I didn't realize that when I started. My journey is more about the mental side of everything than it is the food choices ect.

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

I go to the support group sometimes. I also have joined a group here on OH that meets locally, so I plan on being involved in that. I come to OH daily for support

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

My scars, I have eight of them. They are what I expected, the largest is 1 inch.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have hit several plateau's since my journey. It is frustrating but it's part of the process. I just mix up my protein levels and my carb levels and add in extra exercise to try to break the stall.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, it is very frustrating to me. They are nicer to me and it hurts because they use to ignore me or blow me off. I have a hard time letting go of things and I just don't know how to forgive people easily. It hurts me that they treated me badly before but now they are the opposite.