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

I always saw shows on Discovery Health and I thought wow I want that but didnt know about allt he waht if's and this and that would change so after 3 years of reasearch adn soul searching so far it has been the BEST decision I could have made for myself.

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

I would find out what your insurance requires before surgery and do most of those tests before seeing your surgeon. I did that and had almost all my tests done and I was scheduled as soon as they could which is 3 months from your first visit with them.

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

Be prepared of what questions you have before calling your insurance of surgeons office for the first time. No questions is stupid or to graphic it is your body you are DRASTICLY chaning and knowing everything and all you need and want to know is the best thing you can do for yourself. MAKE sure you do it for yourself and no one else, having surgery may or may not change big things in your life but it is something YOU have to deal with forever! :)

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I researched it for about 3 years and knew practically everything i wanted and needed to know, I got the papers from my surgeons office and got cold feet or felt over come with stress feeling like I had to make a decision and I took my time after about 3-4 weeks it just came to me I feel good about this change and ti will help my condition of life hugely so I said yes and went for it!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeons's office at UC DAvis (sacramento CA,) only does Lap RNY and that si what I wanted so it was destiny

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 think if you have big doubts or fears thent eh timing is probably not right. I was excited and anxious the few months before surgery and oddly NEVER got nervous or thought Iw as going to die, or have anything go wrong. I would say if you are nervous wait and make sure you not nervous about the wrong choice or rushing into it, and write a journal about your feelings everyday until the BIG DAY and everyday after if needed.

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?

Everyone was supportive but my husband was worried I would die and then worried I would change and not want to be with him. I explained if the worst did happen and I did die it was suppose to be that way and that we have been married for 7 years and together 10 been through so much already this will only help our marraige and long life together. After that long talk he was fine and secure about ti all. Everyone since surgery has been VERY supportive an dmy hubby is now my mother hen taking care fo me and all that good stuff (it si very sweet)

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

My employer was supportive and I was out of work for 5 weeks when I got the call they made changes while I was gone and I was let go so now that hasnt been fun but I am now looking for work and I strongly believe everything happens for a reason so soemthing better will come!

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

I was in the hosp just over 24 hours. my was sched for 12:00 pm and when I got there at 9:00 am they were waiting so I was done by the time I was suppose to start. My stay was nice the nurses and staff were very attentive and caring, they didnt rush me and when i had alot of pain mostly because of the air stuck in my body they were very helpful and took VERY good care of me. The most important things were chap stick and socks. Everything else you wont care about just make sur eyou have lose comfy clothes and a pillow for the ride home for your belly.

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

No complications so far :)

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 cleaned alot and was very prepared got allt he food for after and right before surgery, and tried to have everything my hubby would need to eat and feed our cats for a long time so I knew I could just focus on my healing after I got home.

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

Well, I would expect pain for the first few days from being sore and the air trapped in your body. Remember to sip your drinks. I stayed cool because any warmth or hotness in the weather or temp was and still is hard to cope with i get sick to my tummy and a headache so TAKE IT EASY! Expect to not be able to sleep comfy for a while and feel like your belly has puppet strings everytime you move you may feel pulling or see lumps on your belly from everything trying to settle. After about 2-3 weeks oinching may occur from healing but that is VERY normal.

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

I live about 45- 1 hour from Sacramento Cali and that si where my surgery was. I took a pillow for the bumps and stuff for the ride home.

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.

Well I followed the diet the doc office gave me, I did try mashed potatoes and Sugar free apple sauce whichw as good. I havent tried red meat yet because i have heard it can be difficult but I recently ate pizza and didnt eat the bread just the topping of one slice and it was good and satisfiying. I have been able to eat some sugar about 14 grams so far. Some peopel tolerate much less but it si something you have to figure out everyones body is different. I eat little candies beause of my blood sugar gets low now since surgery.

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

i have OCD so I always want or am cleaning no matter what so I sweep and vaccumed when I could tolerate it. Now I do just about anything but I take it slow if it si soemthign new. I did walk alot and it helps tone where youa re losing and helps lose inches quicker.

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

i take my actigol which if for the prevention of gall stones 3 times a day for 6 months, prevacid for acids your little pouch isnt use to alos has to be taken for 6 months. I had to give myself 2 shots in my belly of lovenox to prevent blood clots for 10 days after surgery but that wasnt too bad. I just started taking vitamin b6 and b12 along with folic acid to help healing and the lose fo hair. I have taken zoloft for depression.

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 am now having headaches and nausea with vomiting which I didnt have until about a week ago. I have never been a good sleeper but lately it has gotten better. I havent had dumping yet, and hair loss is now starting but with my supplements it shouldnt last too long.

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

That is funny, the whole experience hasnt been bad, just the bowel prep drink was the WORST and still has been. SO YUCKY, but if I had to pick out anythign else probably making myself eat, I havent felt hungry yet nor do I want to eat so I have to force myself! :)

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

I love this site, Obesity help is my support group!

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

I have 4 small 1in scars and one tiny one by my bra line and my drain scar. It is ok, I expected it to be what it is and I dont realyl care about ym belly I just want to be healthy :)

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Well I lost 12 the first weeka nd the ast two weeks almost nothing but got on the scale ane noticed I lost 5 and down to 259 so it was a slight stall and that si normal because ym body is just trying to adjust to the changes :)

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I dont notice anythign yet. My husband maybe, just looking at me more when i am not really looking and people think I am braver than before but I am still me, and just did what I had to do regardless if it was brave or not.