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

I had first heard about it many years ago on a tv show and I was amazed by it. I couldn't imagine ever needing it but I thought it was just the darnedest thing I had ever heard of, that they could do that and help people.

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

For me getting the insurance approval was the easiest part. I asked my PCM for the referral, a few days later I had it. The surgeons office called me and they amazingly had a cancellation and could see me in 2 days. After I saw the surgeon I had to get a psych and nutrition eval. I had to wait a month almost because I needed them to get done on the same day. I had them done on a Tuesday, the office got the results Friday and faxed them off to Tricare. They called me 10 am Monday morning to tell me I was approved and schedule my surgery. It was smooth and easy.

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

It was pretty short, sweet and to the point. he looked at my records and told me he thought I was a great candidate and then told me his plan of action as far as what kind of surgery and what kind of results to expect for my weight and the type of surgery done. I had been to his Meet The Doctor info session a few days earlier so he knew I had all the basics down and the bulk of my questions had been answered then.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

There was no one real AHA! moment that did it. It was more of a slow realization that I couldn't continue on in the way I was going. I was 24 totally unhealthy and possibly never going to be able to have children. I had been wanting to bring up the topic for a while with my pcm and then finally just one day blurted it out and he just sat there for a moment and then told me he didn't really agree with me but he'd support my choice and put the refferral in.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My insurance really decided that for me but I never really considered anything except RNY. I did all my homework on the others but I didn't have a lot of weight to lose in comparison to some and I wasn't comfortable with the idea of the lapband. So proximal RNY it was.

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 didn't really have any. I really went full speed ahead with everything and didn't give myself any chance to think of it. I did get a little misty a few nights before surgery when I wrote all our passwords and stuff for online banking and bill paying and payment schedules for my husband "Just In Case". But I can't think of any fears worse than continuing living the way I was. Frankly I think if you are too afraid you don't want it bad enough. This surgery is not for people who only want it halfway.

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?

They were all on board from the moment I told them I was pursuing it. They all read books, articles, talked to people they knew who had it, basically learned everyhitng they could about it. Whenever I would go to classes or information sessions I would have a whole table of people there with me. It was great for me but made me sad for other people who didn't have that kind of support. Everyone was great after surgery! We had a 40th anniversary party a few weeks after surgery and a family reunion and everyone was great about making sure there was food I could eat and be comfortable with.

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

They were ok with it, there really wasn't much they could say about it. I had a good overall reaction from them but a few other people who had worked there over the years had the surgery so it wasn't totally foreign to them. I was out for 2 weeks then needed an extra 2 months out when I had a major gout attack.

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

It was mostly a blur of walking up the hallways, chicken broth and IV drugs. I was in the hospital for 2 days and asleep for almost all of it. I brought WAY too much stuff with me. I didn't use any of it really. I did listen to my ipod for about 30 seconds before passing out. I did bring my own pillows and blanket and was very glad I did.

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

I didn't have any really. I had a disgustingly easy time after surgery. I had no pain, nausea, vomiting or dumping of any form. I did, however, have a Gout attack. Because of the new pounch they couldn't give me anything for it. I ended up not being able to walk for almost 3 months or get out of bed. They just gave me pain meds until they thought it was safe to give me prednisone. But I really don't consider this related to surgery it only happened because I was taken off all meds a week before surgery.

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 really didn't feel much about it, other than just wanting it over and done with. I had thought about it for so long before bringing up to my doctor and family. My family was great about wanting to learn more about the procedure and what would happen to my body and lifestyle changes, that it really got kinda talked to death. I was just so ready that final morning, the nurses said they had never seen anyong so eager for a surgery!

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

I was really tired. I was told to expect it but had no clue. It took me forever to do anything, after a few minutes of anything I was ready to break for a nap. But as more real food was introduced into my diet my energy levels picked up. There really wasn't much I couldn't do I just had to do it slowly and with breaks.

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

I had to go about 40 minutes to the hospital where I had my surgery. It wasn't bad just kind of hassle sometimes.

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.

Thankfully there has not been anything I really couldn't have. So barring sweets and sodas, I have been able to eat a very balanced diet ( well balanced as you can get eating mostly protien). I just followed my diet plan going week by week and adding more things in as I went. I was very glad that i could still have milk since I hate soy milk.

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

The first week it was fairly low. I did go for walks everyday, walked around the mall a few times but that was mostly it. I didn't have any pain I was just wiped out.

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

I give myself a B12 shot once a month and take a B12 sublingual every other day. Everyday: 1 prenatal vitamin, 1 citracal creamy bite and a stir-in fiber supplement.

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?

The only side affect I had was some hair loss. Thankfully I was blessed with full thick hair, so it really wasn't noticable. It lasted from month 3 to about month 6. There really wasn't much to be done about except stay up on my protein and wait for it to stop. I have still had no dumping, vomiting, nausea or anyhting like that.

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

For me it was the JP drain. it was the nastiest thing! It hurt a bit, it looked gross and it sucked when they took it out. Maybe if I had other problems relating to surgery it would be something diffrent but I thank God this was the worst thing I had to deal with!

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

I mostly use online support groups. They are there 24 hours a day so there is always someone I talk to if I have a question or just need to talk. I know a few people who have had the surgery but its not all we talk about so its nice to have the extra source out there on the internet.

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

Its about 2 inches long right between my breasts. The only thing I don't like is its slightly off center but not much I can do about that! I really thought it would be much bigger and look bad but its just slightly pink and is fading very well.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

This I really don't know about. I don't own a scale so the only time I ever got weighed was at the dr's office. I had always met my monthly goals so I'm not sure if and where I had plateaus.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I have noticed a bit more male attention. I'm still a bit oblivious to it most of the time but i was that way before surgery too. My husband likes to point out when other guys check me out, he says it makes him look like a stud.