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

I had seen it on Tv and im not sure which program it was but i remember my first reaction was wow that is crazy who would have life altering surgery just to be thin. Little did i know i would be doing it myself years later.

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

our insurance was easy to get approved. My doctors office took care of everything.

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

i never actually had an appointment with my surgeon i only saw his assistants before surgery but i have to say they are so kind and understanding. They really know thier stuff.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My husband is a huge football fan and i was watching a game with him and we were talking about the players on his team and how they were so big and such. I asked him the height and weight of some of the bigger players and realized im way shorter and fatter than all of them. It was so disapointing to look at that screen and wonder how other saw me. I guess i never realized just how big i was till that very moment.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

It was clear to me from the get go i was just too big to not have the RNY. I wouldnt have lost enough with the lap band to make it worth while.

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 was really calm through the whole thing till the night before, I cried like a baby i was so scared i would never seen my kids again. I even cried in the operating room and almost told the doc i didnt want to do it. im so happy i did because the surgery was short, pain free, and i had the best docs on my side!!!

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?

Everyone was really supportive. My mom was scared for me. she thought it was a bit drastic but after i took her to the seminar she had a better understanding of the situation and is now contimplating having the lap band done herself lol

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

Actually im a stay at home mom, i will say for the other young moms out there having this done the hardest part is not being able to pick up your kids during the first 6 weeks. Especially when they get hurt.

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

I was in the hospital for 2 days and my stay was amazing!!! I loved the staff and the other patients that had the surgery done would get together and take walks and visit it was kinda fun!!

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

So far so good

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 actually got my surgery date a week prior so i didnt have time for anxiety really lol. I was more excited than anything

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

I am only 4 weeks out and it has been a bit of a challenge, cooking for the rest of the family and deciding what i should or can eat.

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

only an hour

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

At first i was pretty tired so it was just basic house keeping and taking it kinda easy but now i get out for walks and go shopping for hours on end!!!

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

I take a chewable multi vitamin, B1, B12, and citrical not to mention the protien shakes.

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?

so far i havent had many problems with anything. i vomited twice, once because i ate too fast and the second time was from drinking water too soon after eating.

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

limited variety of foods the first couple months after surgery.

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

I have 6 very small incisions on my abdoman and they are not as noticalbe as i expected at all.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

two weeks post-op i stopped loosing weight and i thought it was something i was doing wrong but after talking to serveral people i came to realize its quite normal and i have since dropped several pounds.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not yet.