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

I first found out about the surgery by a friend having it over 10 years ago - I watched her success and knew I was interested but not serious at that time. At the time, I thought it was an easy way out ....

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

If you're trying to get insurance approval my best advice is document, document, document - my PCP was so awesome, she had me come in once a month and documented everything from aches & pains to new medical conditions. That made all the difference in the world.

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

I went into this with my eyes wide open, I had done so much studying & research that I didn't have a lot of questions - but, my surgeon stressed at every visit that this was only a tool and that it was up to me to use it wisely.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Insurance approval was the decision making factor for me - I have wanted this surgery for about 5 years but felt that it should be covered by insurance and I was willing to wait for that approval.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon was the deciding factor in what type of surgery to have. I trust him completely and knew that he had the knowledge and expertise to help me with that decision. Ultimately I made the decision but he provided the information needed to make it.

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 had no fears prior to surgery - I knew this was what God wanted for me and that He had put me in very good hands and that there would be no complications. That faith visualized daily prior to surgery was all I needed - I even fell asleep while waiting to be wheeled over to pre-op, that's how calm I was. I would encourage anyone having this surgery to use visualization techniques, deep breathing and all your faith.

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 have had nothing but positive reactions, pre & post op. I'm sure there were some who were skeptic but they didn't share it with me!! Prior to approval I kept it pretty low key sharing with only a few trusted friends but once I had approval - I pretty much shouted it from the rooftops and have had amazing support & encouragement.

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 wonderful, after all it's their insurance premiums that paid for it! My boss was absolutely amazing - he said all the right things and allowed me to take all the time off I needed without worrying about my job. I took 21 working days off without any problems, when I went back to work I started back full-time right away.

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

I was admitted on a Wednesday morning & discharged Friday morning. I cannot begin to gush enough about the amazing care I received while in the hospital. Every person I had contact with was wonderful, caring, supportive & encouraging. The nurses would sneak in with flashlights at night so as not to disturb my sleep - how great is that? I'd say the most important thing to bring is your toothbrush - I took way to many reading materials thinking I was going to a spa or something. When I wasn't walking - I was sleeping so bring something comfortable to sleep & walk in, like a zip up the front robe that you can sleep in.

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

I had no comlications, it wasn't a walk in the park but I had very little pain and was monitored so closely that when I did spike a fever on Thursday they had it under control by that afternoon.

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'm 4 weeks post-op today and I'm still waiting for the energy to kick in. I'm still tired but I have other medical complications that add to that such as fibromyalgia so I think the energy will come in time. I'm still in awe of the lack of appetite and my greatest concern is over-eating but that will take time to get over.

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

My first few weeks home were easy, I did not need any pain medication other than Tylenol over the counter strength. I felt more like I was on a vacation, I relaxed and enjoyed the time off!

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

My surgery was local so I had to drive about 25 minutes to the center/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 have given up caffeine - coffee & tea, I was never a soda drinker so that wasn't an issue for me. I have an egg white protein drink most days, I eat lots of cottage cheese, yogurt, Boca burgers, tofu as they all seem easy on my pouch. Whenever my pouch gets upset I revert back to either cream of wheat or Malt-O-Meal and that soothes helps. The first couple of weeks milk didn't seem to set well so I switched to Lactaid milk and am doing fine with that. I don't like eggs anymore - other than in something but just plain eggs ... not so much.

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

While I was off work I was able to walk or ride my stationary recumbent bike regularly - unfortunately this last week which was my first week back to work full time left me exhausted so I didn't walk as much. Hopefully next week I'll get back on track.

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

I take a multi vitamin & a balanced B-50 daily, a B-12 sublingually weekly and starting today I added calcium daily.

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've really had no side effects, if it wasn't for my incision scars & lack of appetite I'd wonder if I really had surgery!

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

The worst part was waiting for insurance approval ...

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

The aftercare at the Oregon Bariatric Center is phenomenal - I can call anytime and ask any question and speak directly to the most appropriate person to answer it. We have a support group that meets monthly that is fantastic - it's so fun to get together and share our experiences and see the changes a month can make.

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

My "scar" is five little slits on my tummy with two little dots above & below. They are my badge of honor, my reminder of that which I came. I share them proudly with anyone who wants to see 'em.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Well, today being my one month surgery anniversary I think I've hit my first plateau. I lost 27 pounds in the first 27 days after surgery and haven't lost an ounce since ...

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I'm not post-op enough for the changes to be drastic so I'm not seeing any difference in the way people treat me. Other than the support & encouragement I receive from those who know me.