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

I saw it on the local news, contacted my ins company, got the name of a wonderful surgeon, did exactly what i was asked to do. I saw the light at the end of the rainbow for the 1st time in along time. best decision ive ever made and would recommend my surgeon to anyone who askes

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

i was denied the 1st time my pcp submitted info because i didnt have along enough weightloss history, fortunatly, they worked with pcp and i was approved within 1 week of the 2nd request

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

I was very nervous, Dr. Sooriash and staff were wonderful and very comforting and answered all my questions. I suggest writing the questions and writing down Drs replies because if your like me, my nerves were shot and i wanted to make sure i had something to look back on. I also brought a family member whose supported my decision to have the surgery which helped because she also asked questions i might have forgotten.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was disgusted with myself. On my 33th birthday my husband bought me a cute outfit consisting of capris and a top. size 22/24, AND I COULDNT GET THE PANTS UP, i cried, refused to go out to dinner and decided then and there i was going to do it.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After alot of research i decided on the rouen-y because i knew it was irreversible and heard it had the best results, even though it was more invasive as other procedures.

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 a wreck the night before surgery and the morning of, i was afraid of dying and leaving behind 3 children, Thankfully it all worked out great, i recovered well.Its normal to have fears, and theres possible complications with any surgery , just go, do it have faith in your surgeon and ..DO IT,

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?

Family and friends were very supportive. Apparently noone told me how large i was because they loved me,,,and didnt see the weight. After surgery however,,everyone couldnt wait to tellme how huge i was and that they were happy i did it.

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 very supportive of my decision, even though it was going to mess up the schedule for 4 weeks. They were aware i was researching surgery and were very supportive when i would have anxiety. I was out of work for 4 weeks even though my Dr suggested 6 weeks, MY administration would only approve 4 weeks, but i was grateful for that.

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

My stay was very comfortable, the nurses were very comforting and sweet.i had surgery on a friday and went home on a sunday, i didnt use anything i brought with me except my toothbrush and paste,if i wasnt being made to walk the hall i was in bed sleeping.

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

The one and only complication i had from the entire process, this is embarrasing, was 1 week post op, i had severe gas pains, i didnt know what it was having had the surgery, turned out to be gas from the anesthesia, thankfully ive had no other complication..

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 a walking basket case, was this the right thing to do?, what if something happens?..hundreds of thoughs and feelings went thru my head, this started from the 1st time i went to the surgeon and he assured me i was a candidate for the procedure. i was very fortunate, from the 1st time i saw dr. to surgery was approximatly 3 months...

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

I was very uncomfortable and in pain because im allergic to alot of pain meds so i had no choice but to suffer. It was summer vacation so i was home with 3 children, so my husband before leaving for work in the am would make up "platters" of juice boxes, fruit, snacks so i didnt have to cook, we bought alot of microwavable foods for my 2 older kids to make. I knew what to expect knowing friends whove had surgery, I still was unprepared for the mourning food part.

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

The ins company chose my surgeon due to who was available under my benefits. The dr was 1 hr from my home, not to bad of a drive, gave me 1 hour to think and clear my head since i often went to my visits alone.

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.

After surgery i was on liquids only, i drand chicken broth, sugar free juice, and i craved ice cold beverages. 2nd week is when i believe i was told to try soft foods like yogurt, gottage cheese, 3rd week i started with peanut butter on soft bread egg salad, 4th week i was able to start more variety of things, But i do remember crying alot because everything i ate hurt and if i had 1 teaspoon to much i vommitted. Now at 22 months post op, only food i stil cant tolerate is pasta, i miss it badly, but do from time to time over boil some and eat just a few to satiate me.

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

I was obviously very week from lack of food but i started slowly walking from couch to bathroom, then ventured to mailbox as my strength gre, then to neighboors house, then eventually slow walks around a supermarket since it was middle of summer and sweltering out, When i came back to work at 4 weeks i took clients out in am for a walk. i started riding my bike at 6 weeks post op and started swimming same time to build endurance and strength

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

I take B-12 injections every 3 weeks, 2 multi vitamins, a B-50 comples, 3 iron pills(gentle iron) from walmart, and my thyroid pill every am with orange juice

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 had severe nausea for up to 8 weeks, certain smells would make me nauseous. i didnt sleep well because i had a drain tube attatched for 3 weeks post-op. I did suffer dumping syndrom , still do at times 22 months post op if i drink milk or acidic foods, My hair did thin out alot, but thankfully to genetics i stil had a full head. I dont remember exactly how long any of the above symptoms lasted, i still have some, at times.

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

For me, mourning food. It is psychological, and at 22 months post op i believe im just learning to accept the fact that my eyes litterally are bigger than my tummy. I wasnt required to see a psychologist or a nutritionist pre-op, but i would strongly suggest if your ins does cover either, do it, out of the entire experience, i believe for me, mourning food was the hardest part.

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

My sister in law had surgery 3 months after me, 2 friends had surgery before me, so the 4 of us had each other to lean on, get advise on what foods to try or not to try, what exercise to do. I also use the website obesity.com for support.

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

My scar healed very well, It did stretch a lil bit after staples were removed. But thankfully i healed very well and dont mind showing it to anyone who asks. I had seen alot of after photos , so i did know what to expect.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I remember setting weightloss goals, when i finally hit 199lbs, i cried with joy, for the 1st time in many years i was no longer in the 2's. At 22 months post-op, i do believe i have reached my final weight loss. I am down to 145-150, would like to lose 10-15 more, but i do believe my body has finally adjusted to this weight, and i wont lose anymore.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Family and co-workers treat me the same as before. friends react differently because i feel they see me as a threat. No one feers the "fat girl" is going to steal there husband or boyfriend. Even though i never gave that impression i feel some are jealous and often remark i took the "easy" way out.