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

A friend had had WLS and I saw her success and was astonished! I thought it was an awesome idea, and I was very jealous. I thought that WLS was one of those things that everyone else could do, but it just wouldn't be in the works for me.

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

I didn't have any problem getting approved. My dr's office took care of all of that!

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

You need to be prepared when you go! I was full of questions that hadn't been answered at the support group meeting. A good surgeon will sit there and explain everything! I think I was still kind of overwhelmed and in awe when I went to my first consultaion with my surgeon.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The insurance company approved me and I was on my way!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My dr's office only did the RNY at that time, so I didn't look into other options.

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?

When I was going in to all of this, I didn't have a care in the world. I figured that everything was going to be hunky dory! But, afterwards when I did have the complications, I realized that I should never go into something so serious without being more cautious. Although I am fine now, I do realize that this is a big change. We are told that from the very beginning, that this is a life altering experience, and it truly is. However, don't go into this without thinking of the worst case scenario happening to you, and having an ideal of how to take care of what might happen. Always be prepared, because you never know.

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 family was very supportive when it came to me having the surgery, AND they continued with their support when things got rough. It does seem like they have more of a problem with it now than they did in the beginning. Now, they always think that I'm not eating enough, that I'm losing too much weight, etc. They are always on my case about eating!

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 the 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 pretty good for having to be at a hospital. Take with you your house shoes, comphy pajama pants, your own pillow, and your toothbrush!

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

I had gallstones and it was not found. I ended up getting pancreatitus and my gallbladder was removed. I was vomitting all the time from having this, and it caused my intestine to close off. I went about 4 months without eating or drinking. I had been a few hours away from my surgeon during this time period, and I ended up going back to see him. He, again, saved my life and took great care of me!

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 so very excited! I ate any and everything I could think of, just in case I wouldn't ever be able to eat it again! I was looking forward to all the great things that would come with losing weight. Anxiety was very low!

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

You should expect a lot of regret! During my first couple of weeks I was at my parents house, who had just decided to try the Atkins diet. So, while I was slurping down jello, they were feasting on bacon, eggs, sausage and cheese! Other than the initial want for food though, it wasn't too bad. It was awkward adjusting to eating so little, and being able to survive off of a liquid diet!

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

I was only 45 minutes from my surgeon, which was great in the beginning. But afterwards when I moved back home, it was very difficult to be so far away. If something were to happen, you should really be in arms length of your surgeon!

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.

In the first month I went from jello to soup, cream of mushroom (don't eat the mushrooms though until your are at least a few months post op) and tomato were big hits for me. I bought quite a few of the Lean Cuisine and Healthy choice meals, and if it was soft enough, I could eat it. My cat ended up gaining a good 10lbs eating what I couldn't! Breads have definitely been off limits. I am just now getting to where I can eat bread. Potatoes are a big no-no until you learn how to handle them. I can't eat french fries, but I can eat mashed potatoes if they aren't dry. I can't eat them first though, because they seem to get stuck and I end up getting sick. I can now eat virtually anything, bread, rice, broccoli, etc...it's just learning how to eat it and finding out how your body can handle it. I've only eaten Oreo's once...I ate 3 of them about 8 months post op, and I thought I was going to die! I haven't touched one since, but I can eat an ice cream sandwhich! hehe The hardest part about this is learning what you can and can't, and not eating what you're not supposed to eat!

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

I started out strong with walking after my surgery! Key word being "started". You have to be committed to the exercise portion of this.

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

I have been horrible about taking my vitamins or any supplement. I don't take any, and I am always fatigued, my bones are brittle, and my overall health is just bad.

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 found that I had a lot of hair loss. However, the worst part was sleeping. I found that I actually had bones in my body, and they were hurting all the time while I was sleeping. Also, I found that I had horrible food dreams. I dreamt about big plates of spaghetti, and just scarfing it down!

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

Finding out if I'm still the same person in character as I was before the surgery. I'm still working on getting to know the new me, and it's been almost 5 years. I am constantly learning new things about myself.

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

My scars are about 1cm long, and you can barely see them! I am very excited about how well they are hidden!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People treat me like a skinny girl...It's a lot different from when I was overweight. They look AT me now, not through me.