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

I found out about bariatric surgery through a friend of my mothers and i automatically was very interested in learning more about it. The more i learned the more i wanted the surgery.

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

The whole insurance thing was a nightmare. I had to go through 2 appeals before it was approved. My advice to others is to make sure you get ALL your testing done before you try and contact your insurance company because you may have something wrong with you that you dont know about.

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

It was very informative. Ask as many questions as you can. I brought a notebook and pen along with me and wrote some important things down.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When I got so unhealthy that i knew i couldn't just lose it on my own...i needed a little push.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted the RNY because its a more permanent surgery. With the band, you dont lose as much weight and you lose it alot slower. Plus you can gain alot of it back alot easier with the band.

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 honestly had no fears but it didnt really hit me that i was having surgery until i was in the operating room. My advice for others is to just relax. Don't worry about anything because if you've done your homework and you know you picked a great surgeon then i'm sure everything will be just fine!

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'm very lucky to have the family and friends that i have. All my friends and family are 100% behind my decision and have supported me all through-out the pre-op and now my posy-op! Even my boyfriend does silly workouts with me. My mom took out all the junk food in the house so i wouldnt be tempted. They are all taking very good care of me and i'm so blessed!

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

I am not employed.

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

The hospital stay was fine. The staff was excellent and my mom stayed with me the whole time. I was only in the hospital for 3 days and 2 nights.

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

No

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 first very relieved and excited since we had such a battle with the insurance company. i didnt really get anxious because it really didnt hit me until i was in the operating room.

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

Well i've only been home from the hospital 6 days now and all i can say is that its alot harder to drink all that liquid than it seems but it is important to keep yourself from dehydrating because it makes you sick. also, even though it sucks...make sure you walk around every once in awhile, it truly helps your stomach feel alot better.

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

15-20 minutes from my house to the hospital

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 got my surgery 8 days ago and i was on a liquid diet for 5 days then i just started the pureed stage. I tried eating scrambled eggs but my tummy didnt like them but i do great with cottage cheese and cream of wheat. Eat SLOW!! and dont eat alot..its hard though because your not used to eating like that but trust me you do NOT want to over eat or eat too fast..you get VERY sick

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

I've just been walking alot. It was gradually walking more and more and now the doctor told me i should be walking about 30 min a day. but it can be split up (ex 10min, 10 min, 5min and 5 min)

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

The doctor wants me to gradually work my way into taking all my vitamins. So far all i am taking is my multi-vitamin.

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?

Dumping is the worst...the only advice i can give is keep alot of reading material by the toilet because you WILL be there for a long time, several times a day. it does get better though

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

the pain...

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

So far the only support group i am involved with is this website and talking to some friends i know who have had it done. at first i thought i didnt need any kind of support group but its nice to talk to others who know what ur going through. i feel like if i have a question i can just call my friends and not have to wait on the phone for a nurse or doctor.

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

my incisions are still scabs at the moment

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none that i can think of

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

no not that i have noticed.