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

I dont remember how I learned about it, I know I was 16 (currently 28)and it seemed like a horribly drastic wonderful scarry thing that I needed to do research on.

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

HAHAHA oh my. When I was 17 I tried, and my Mom told me I was too young. At 18, I tried through my Dad's insurance. They had changed their policy the year before deciding not to cover it. Missed my chance. My Mom got a job that covered the surgery, but the age for covering her children ended at 21. So, It covered me just long enough to have an emergency gallbladder removal, then I turned 22. Missed my chance. At 25, my fiance got a job who's insurance accepted "domestic partnership insurance coverage" meaning we didnt have to be married to be on joint insurance. His covered it. So, following the fight of yes, I really do need the surgery, no its not just cosmetic, with the insurace, I had to do a doctor supervised diet and exercise program for 6 months. Did that, faught with them. Had to do a psych exam, passed fine... faught with insurance about that. Finally was just told NO. So, my weight loss program told me to write a letter, have my fiance and my parents write letters. Mine explained what I wanted out of life without being 300 lbs! His explained how he wanted me happy. My moms was the hardest to read. It talked about as a child, she put me into weight loss programs at age 7, and had me talk to people because I was depressed and didnt want friends. Thinking about the effect that had to have had on my parents saddens me. Childhood should be fun and carefree, mine as far as selfesteem goes, was not that. Im so thankfull though to have a family that loves me as I am and continues to support me and respect me no matter what.

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

Very informational. However, they are busy people with lots of people to see. I encourage you to go to meetings that teach you about it. Also do your own research in what its about and have a set list of questions to ask.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I have fought for it for 10 years, just finally took getting approved. When I was finally approved, I really had to step back and say "ok, do I still want this, or is it something I just got used to fighting for?" It was still a yes, and a year and a half later, Im still so happy with my decision!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I knew I didnt want to be completely cut open, as healing time is so much longer and there is a higher risk for infection. I knew the lapband is reversable and easier to "trick".

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 felt like I was dying at the weight I was. I certainly wasnt living. There is risk in everything we do, be it crossing the street, riding a bike, trusting the wrong person. But, they are risks we take.

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 fiance was leery. It is a very invasive surgery. I had faith and he supported me. My family, I think they were nervous. My sisters, I have two, one thin, one overweight. I think the thin one wanted me to be like her. The other was afraid we would grow apart. But they all supported me!

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

There were lots of reactions. My favorite.. "Why dont you just exercise." People have their opinions. ITs your life that is changing. I was out of work for a week and a half. Since my surgery it has made office parties different. But, I work with several people that are diabetic, so there are always food options for me.

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

Yes, they answered questions I had. I got a chance to meet the doctors and get a sense of his personality. Also, there were people in all stages of the process. Good to get their views.

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

I was in the hospital a total of 4 days. They were wonderful. However, three of my family memebers work for the hospital, so I stayed in ICU the whole time so I had a better patient to nurse ratio. I would bring slippers, something to help you stay calm, music did it for me. I tried a book, but the medicine made my dizzy. Reading was out! Also, always make sure you have a list of your meds and if you take daily meds, bring them with you! Yours are cheaper then what the hospital gives you, even if they are the same thing!

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

No, mine went perfect. I found out I am alergic to morphine. Not good to have to throw up right after stomach surgery. So, they switched it pretty quick.

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 sore. I had to sleep sitting up in a recliner. It was painful to shower due to having a JP drain for a week after I was released from the hospital. I didnt experience anxiety after surgery, just more excitement of what was to come.

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

You should expect to be sore. You just had stomach surgery. Going to the bathroom is not always easy in the beginning but you are "eating" liquid.

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

A few blocks. Its great. Any time I want to see someone, I just stop in.

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.

My first "meal"! It was the best thing I ever ate. My fiance scrambled an egg, and then pureed a slice of ham, some salsa and sour cream and mixed it with the egg. It seemed like a huge meal. WHen I was done savoring the whole thing (pretty sure I licked the plate) I slept for 4 hours. Yea, thanksgiving full! Let me first say as to what I can and cant eat, I follow the rule of 12 sugars. If its more than that, I dont eat it. Also, I love to cook. If something is bad for me, or I cant eat it, I figure out how to cook it so I can. In the beginning I lived on protein shakes, tuna and cottage cheese. ( I still love my shakes and use them several times a week) I made a potroast and pureed it with veggies, it was good, once. :) After that, never again. Be willing to try things, slowly. Its scarry. I still cant do dry meat. If I eat hamburger, there has to be something on it to help it go down, veggies, ketsup mustard. If I want candy/chocolate, I dont do sugar free. Too many sugar alcohols. I do the weight watcher candy. Its better for you overall than sugar free and you dont have that strange aftertaste. Also, dark chocoalte is good for you and has less and less sugar the darker you go!

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

Days after the surgery, walking was fine, as long as there were no stairs, and I was a tad hunched over. A big part of that due to the JP Drain. After a week, I could do stairs slowly. After a month, I was working out and swimming :)

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

Immediatly after surgery I made sure I was fully stocked of EVERY SINGLE THING I needed as far as vitamins went. I think I was taking 14 pills a day. Since then several companies have developed a "multi" for bypass patients. Now I take that (which I find at unjury.com) and calcium, a cranberry chew, and b12. I love my protien shakes. I tend to drink one most mornings. I have found a cappuchino flavored one that I add cinnamon to. Its like my morning coffee :)

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?

Hair loss was the worst thing I have experienced. And in all the side effects you can have, Im certainly not complaining. I still struggle with hair loss, though my hair is very fine. I just used to have a lot of it. It comes back, not all of it. Sometimes if I eat too fast, or dont chew enough, I have a pain that feels like you have an air bubble stuck in your chest. That is something you just learn not to do.

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

Learning how to not "medicate" your emotions with food. How to deal with what you are feeling, not eat your emotions. Finding out who loves you for you and will stand by you. As opposed to the people who love you because you are "fat like them" or share a love of food.

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

I go to the meetings for people that have had surgery for weight loss that my hospital offers. I get good food ideas, and can listen to other peoples stories. Its inspirational and helps me keep going.

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

My scars, since I had the laproscopic I think I have 5 scars that when I weighed 300 lbs were about an inch long. I think I can still see 3 of them still and they are about a quarter inch long. They are much better than I ever thought it would be.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

When I first had the surgery, I think I went my first month without really losing anything. Though, I think I was expecting to just start dropping. I was convinced I was going to be the only person to never lose any weight. However, soon I realized its a process and when you look back its amazing what you really do lose.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. Guys look at me. That is a huge difference. ANd, the biggest difference is me, and I think that impacts the way other people treat you. I could say that because Ive lost weight, people talk to me more, or are more friendly. But, that isnt it. Its because Im more talkative and outgoing and willing to talk to people that make people talk to me more.