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

My primary care physician asked me if I have ever thought about weight loss surgery and I told her no. I did not think it was for me. I told her that I could lose the weight on my own. As I look back on this now, I realize that I was in total denial.

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

I knew that I probably would not have any problems because of all my medical problems, but I have to admit that I called my insurance company every week until I was approved. I think you have to stay on them, I know it is a long process, but it is very important that you keep after them.

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

I was extremely nervous. I did not know what to expect. But, meeting my surgeon was wonderful and enlightening. He was extremely honest about everything regarding the actual surgery and the risks. He made sure that I understood it was not going to be a walk in the park and that I had to work hard too. I think it is very important to make a list of whatever concerns/fears you may have regarding surgery before you meet your surgeon.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was reading a magazine about weight loss surgery and I found it interesting, and I talked to a co-worker who had the surgery a few years back and she looked great and is still doing great, so I started to do some research on the internet.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The information that I had received and certainly after talking with my surgeon, I knew that RNY would be better for me then the lap 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 really did not have any fears about having complications because either I was going to die from the surgery or die because I was so overweight that my heart would give out from me just trying to walk around.

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?

Well, most of my friends reaction were glad this is what I had decided to do, others did not think it was a good idea. My family thought that I should try again to do it on my own, so they were not happy with my decision, but they were very supportive. I don't think that I would communicated anything differently, because I gave the same information that I had received, so either they were going to agree or disagree.

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

My manager was very supportive. I told her the truth of what I was going to do. I was out for a total of 5 weeks.

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

I was in one of the best hospitals. I truly have no complaints. I was in the hospital for 3 days. For me, the most important things to bring were my Bi-pap maching for my sleep apnea and my on pajamas as well as chap stick.

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

Although the surgery took a little longer than expected because of scar tissue for a previous surgery, I had no complications.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

When I got my surgery date, I was so excited, and a little nervous because now it has become real to me. I prayed a lot and taked to some friends who were very supportive.

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

When you are told that you can eat a whole lot or do not eat fast, please listen. Consider yourself in the recovery period and do what the surgeon tell you to do.

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

I was only about 20 minutes from 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.

NOTHING SWEET! Pasta, ground beef and ground turkey is hard for me right now. Each week, I find that I can eat a little more (not much), but I have learned to eat my food slowly. I'm 6 weeks out and I finally get it (EAT SLOWLY)

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

Much better than before. I am walking more and looking forward to it each day.

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

Prenatal, calcium and b-12.

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?

Vomitting. Once I learned that when I'm full, I'm full so just stop eating, I had no more problems.

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

The first time I stood up (gravity sets in)

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

My hospital provides support group that meet once a month and I find it very helpful as well as important.

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

I have 5 little incisions and they are healing very well.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Well, one week after surgery, I had lost 12 pounds then another two weeks I had lost 19 pounds, the next week, I lost 4 pounds, but somehow (and I don't know how), I gained back 7 pounds, but I'm not discouraged. I was told it could be water.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Sort of. I was told when I returned to work that I look very different (I don't see it). My co-workers told me that I look like I had lost a lot of weight.