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

I had a friend who had bariatric surgery in the mid 90's. She had some complications and at that time, I thought I would never find myself making that kind of choice. Never say never...you might eat those words.

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

I was approved by my insurance four days after my surgeon's office submitted my paperwork. My suggestion is not to give up if your insurance does not respond as quickly.

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

Have your questions written down....this is true anytime you go to a doctor for any reason. You tend to forget some of the most important things on your mind.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was tired of being on blood pressure and acid reflux medications that weren't helping me. I knew that if I lost weight these two issues would significantly improve if not resolve. They did resolve, too.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I was on a cruise with my husband after graduating LPN school. The insurance switched my prescription GERD medication. For four days I suffered shortness of breath, swollen ankles, fatigue, pain and I'm sure, high blood pressure. It was a horrible vacation. When I returned I knew that I had to do something to get off of prescription medications. I could not let the insurance control my health because of their fiscal gain.

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 was anxious, but faith gave me confidence that my decision was not my own....God was with me.

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?

I chose to inform only my husband, three children and my pastor of my weight loss surgery decision. My husband wanted me to try "one more" diet and go to the gym but I told him I was simply tired of being the "rat on the wheel". My children did not think I was "fat enough" to have the surgery. My husband changed his thoughts on the surgery after joining me in the informational/support meeting sponsored by my bariatric surgical group and hearing the miraculous stories of clients.

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

I was not working at this time.

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

My hospital stay was unremarkable. I was there four days.

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

On day #3 post op I developed a one degree temp and they decided to keep me another day.

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

The forsight of my surgeon put me on Prozac 6 weeks before surgery until about 2 months after surgery. This helped with my emotional roller coaster. It was the holidays and believe it or not, I think this helped. I was surrounded by activity, family and friends to keep my mind and body occupied.

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

I've never been one for afternoon naps but I found that for the first two weeks I needed to rest often. Of course, I was walking every day, too. The increased exercise and the decrease in calories will make you fatigued.

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

I did not have surgery in the city in which I live. The bariatric group I chose was in a neighboring city. It is about 40 mi from my house. This did not affect my aftercare at all.

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 craved fresh squeezed grapefruit juice initially after surgery. Then, it was fresh squeezed orange juice. Juicing one piece of fruit was just enough liquid to satisfy my craving. I drank Postum...a decaf coffee flavored drink made from cereal. I ate very thin cream of wheat made with water...not milk. I had a difficult time getting in protein early post up. I knew this would probably happen and prepared myself by drinking daily protein supplements 6-7 prior to my WLS. Since my surgery I do not like chicken or eggs. Garlic upsets my pouch and I still can't eat bread.

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

I think I became addicted to activity. I started walking the day I got home from the hospital. I started with walking the length of my street twice a day. By two months post op I was walking 6 miles a day. My husband got me a bicycle for Valentine's day. I started with riding 2 miles a day working my way up to 16-18 miles three times a week. I was not employed so exercise became my job.

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

Bariatric Building Blocks DMV, Calcium, Iron Folic Acid, B-12 injections

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 did experience nausea and vomiting...quite a bit early post op. It wasn't always from overeating or eating the wrong thiings. One year post op I started having gall bladder issues which probably was a major cause in my nausea and vomiting. I did not experience any sleep disturbance. I did have some hair loss several months after surgery. I experienced a major dumping episode two months after surgery when I thought I could eat a bite or two of banana. Even the natural sugar was too much for my system at this time. I can safely eat bananas, now at three years post op.

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

The bowel regimin.

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

Monthly support group by the bariatric group. Remaining active in Obesity Help forums.

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

You can't see my scars. They were minimal. I used scar treatment therapy, too.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I didn't experience any long-term plateaus.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, in a positive way.