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

My mom had surgery 2 years before I had mine. She lost 170 lbs the first year and has kept it off very well. I figured if she could do it, I could do it. My first impressions of it were quick fix, but also a little scary.

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

I applied for the Lap-Band procedure first, but found out that my insurace did not cover it...so I found the next best thing, the VBG. I am soooo happy with the VBG and I am glad I didn't have the lap-band.

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

I arrived at the hospital at 7am the day of surgery, and returned home around noon the next day. I hate staying in the hospital. There are things beeping all around you keeping you awake, and just when you fall asleep someone comes in and wakes you. I would ring for pain meds and I wouldn't get them until an hour or so later.

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

The only problems I had were these: TERRIBLE heartburn when I would eat or drink anything (even water), and I sneezed hard one day and pulled on one of my abdominal stitches, which scared me because I thought it may be a hernia.

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 felt okay physically, but mentally I was kind of a wreck. I thought in the back of my mind that surgery just wouldn't for me. I felt that for some reason, even if I don't eat as much as I used to and exercise, the weight would just stay on. I also felt like I would regret my decision to have surgery later down the road.

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

The first few DAYS are the ones you should worry about. My pain medicine made me quite nauseous, which doesn't feel good on a freshly-sutured stomach. I had a really hard time getting comfortable, and for the first 2 nights or so I couldn't lay flat, I had to sleep in a recliner with an airplane pillow behind my head. When I could finally lay in bed, I had to prop a pillow under my stomach otherwise it kind of hung and hurt my incision sites.

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

I was fortunate enough to have THE best bariatric program in Wisconsin just downtown from my house.

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 really had no problems in the first weeks following surgery. I could eat pretty much anything I wanted in VERY small portions and I chewed it until it was almost liquified. After about a month I could no longer tolerate most meats, which may mean that I have a bit of a stricture.

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

Well, I walked around my house in "laps" while I talked on the phone 3 days after surgery, and I walked my dog the first few days after as well. I also went back to work 6 days after I got home from the hospital.

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

Well I have no mal-absorbtion, so I take 2 children's chewable vitamins, one sublingual biotin, 1 zinc, and a calcium chew. I also do one protein shake every 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?

The hair loss is probably the worst. I am feeling so much more confident with my looks, but as my hair falls out I feel less and less attractive, and I get in all my protein.

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

It was wonderful. I don't regret a thing.

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

I go to the Wisconsin Bariatrics support group every 3rd Wednesday of the month. I think it is IMPERATIVE for success after bariatric surgery.

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

I have 5 tiny incision sites, and they fade more and more every day. They are what I expected and I barely realize that they are there anymore.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

There have been a few times where I feel like my weight loss has stopped because I will stay the same for a week or 2, but then all of a sudden I drop 5-10 pounds in a matter of days.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES! Honestly, people are just a lot nicer to me in general. I see people from high school and they are so much nicer than they used to be. Even my brothers are nicer to me now.