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

I thought I could never have it becuase my BMI was on the lower side. Then a co-worker had it a year ago and I found out I could have it becuase of my co-morbidities. And I found out another co-worker had it 5 years ago, I never would have guessed.

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

Have patience. It's hard, because I have none. I started this process in Aug of '08 and I'm getting my surgery now in May of '09. For me that was like an eternity. Once I had made my decision I wanted it done NOW! But they make you jump through tons of hoops before you get the surgery.

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

My first visit with my Dr was after I had already met with his nurse and then had all my sessions with the psychologist, nutritionist, and was approved by insurance. Meeting him was almost the last step. He was very nice, and confident. WHich I liked. It showed that he knows what he's doing and has been doing it a long time.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had set a weight for myself that I would NEVER get above. Well, I hit that weight and kept going, and going no matter how hard I tried to loose it the scale just kept going the other way.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided on the lap RNY becuase I felt it gave me a better chance of losing the weight I want to lose. I didn't feel the band was a very good option for me.

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 guess the only real fear I have is being the small percentage of people that WLS doesn't work on. I'm afraid of not losing any weight!!! I've had surgery before, so I guess I'm not really worried about dying or anything - there's always that chance but you can't let it hold you back.

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 husband was against it until he came to the information class with me and then he's been behind me all the way. The rest of my family thinks I'm not "big enough" to have WLS which is ridiculous! It bothers me, so I don't talk about it around them.

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

Two of my wo-workers have already had WLS, so everyone is pretty accepting and used it. They are a GREAT support system! Between them and my husband! I scheduled for 2 weeks of staying at home.

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

It was very informative and I was glad I brought my husband. The surgeon was nice and informative.

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

My hospital stay was worse then most becuase I ended up having more problems then the norm. I ended up having to have a bone marrow biopsy which is the most painful thing I have EVER experienced!

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

I found out I had NASH (non-alcholic stetohepetitus)which is probably due to my high weight so they took a liver biopsy. Then I found out I had an abnormally low platelet level and they had to take a bone-marrow biopsy. That was hard to hear. I had to talk to an oncologist and when you hear that you automatically think "cancer." I'm fine now, but at the time I was pretty upset about it.

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 just soo excited to finally get it over with! The wait seemed so long.

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

I felt worse than I ever thought I would. I was in pain no matter what position I was in. I had to TRY to sleep on the couch surrounded by pillows because I couldn't lie flat. I couldn't even sit in a recliner! It took a good 3 weeks for the pain to reduce significantly.

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

I'm lucky that I only live 30 minutes from where my surgery took place. Which is nice becuase the ride home is horrible! Your stomach feels every bump and turn.

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.

For about the first 2 weeks all I could eat was jello water, water, and broth (which was such a treat to have something taste good). I would also eat sugar-free popsicles. The 3rd week I started with soups and creamy things like soupy mashed potatoes. It seemed like it took quite a while before I could really eat anything substantial.

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

For the first 3 weeks I was in so much pain it was all I could due to walk to the bathroom. My next challenge was mastering stairs again.

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

Every day I take 2 chewable vitamins, 2 calcium chews, 2 gummy omega-3's, and 1 B-12 sublingual.

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'm now 11 months out and my hair was thinning pretty badly around 6-7 months, it seems to have stopped now. I don't think it's come back, but at least I'm not losing any more. I've only vomited twice and I don't know if I ate too much at those two times or if I ate it too fast. I know if I ate too much or too fast I will feel AWFUL for like 30-90 minutes. It's such an uncomfortable and painful experience and there's nothing I can do about it. It doesn't help to lie flat or lean over. And then all of the sudden it's just gone, and feel good again. Weird.

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

The pain in the first 2-3 weeks. But looking back, it is all worth it and I would go through it all again in a heartbeat to have the results I have now!! It has given me my life back! I enjoy things again!

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

I have three co-workers that have had surgery and I talk to them. I also have a friend that I met on OH that had surgery the same date and place I did, and we talk to each other a lot.

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

I had 8 small scars (to add to the 4 from my gall bladder removal and 1 from my appendectomy) and I don't notice them much at all any more.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I'm 11 months out and it's frusterating that I was losing 1 pound a week and now I'm only losing about 1 pound every three weeks.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Oh yes. Much more attention from guys, that's for sure!