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

My best friend had gastric bypass 5 years ago. It scared me to death because I was unable to be there for her. I could not imagine such a drastic measure. Over the years, I've come to realize what a positive choice it was and I wanted those same changes for me.

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

My insurance would not cover me for the surgery. I was not obese or sick enough. They are very restrictive and only allow the 5 major co-morbidities.

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

Dr. Yarbrough was amazing. He took me from beginning to end of the surgery process. He discussed my weight loss efforts and how surgery would change my life. To get the most out of your few visits with your surgeon you need to be educated. Learn about the procedure and be prepared with any questions you have.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted to live a healthy life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

For me there really was not question. I did not feel the band was a permanent solution. I would be able to work around it's limits. I did not want that. I wanted to be given no choice in changing my life and given the time to make those choices a permanent part of my life.

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 felt very comfortable with the surgery itself. My big fears were with the anesthesia. This procedure has come so far with laparoscopic procedures that the complication rates are very low. Be honest with your surgeon and talk with them about your fears.

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 partner was very scared about the procedure and about the long term effects on our relationship. She has been very supportive and goes to the support groups and went to my pre-op classes with me to be educated and help me in every way she can. The rest of my family has been supportive but does not really understand my choice. My mother came down to be with me after surgery, but had not educated herself in anyway about the process.

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

I really did not give my employer a choice. I completed the paperwork for FMLA and took 5 weeks off for the procedure. I wanted to fully recover from the surgery and have time to learn about my new pouch before going back to work. The people I have shared with have been supportive of me but surprised because they did not think I was "that heavy".

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

My stay in the hospital was short. I was actually in my room about 24 hours. I arrived from surgery about 5:00 pm and was discharged at about the same time the next day. My first 15 hours sucked. I was unable to go the the bathroom and had to have a cath. I was so sick from the anesthesia that I was pucking and sick to my stomach until about 10:00 the next morning. I would highly recommend either bringing a heating pad or having the hospital provide one waiting in your room when you get there. My back hurt so bad I could not lay in bed. I was up and down all night. But once I was able to get a heating pad my life soooo improved. I felt wonderful and was ready to go home by that evening.

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

I had no complications from the surgery itself. Just from the anesthesia. That just takes time to get out of your system.

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

Scared and excited. It such a life changing event. I just kept myself busy. We started a new project at work and I also moved right before my surgery. So I did not have a lot of time to sit and be scared.

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

Expect to be very tired. I walked inside the malls so that I would have a place to sit and rest when I needed to. Also, just keep trying different protein sources. I had a really hard time on the limited diet until my post op appointment because the protein drinks made me sick to my stomach. But just keep trying.

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

I stayed in the same town I live in.

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.

My pouch changes it's mind on a daily basis. For example, I was fine using unjury with crystal light for the first few days after surgery. Then it just made me sick to my stomach. I drank ice cold water for the first week and a half after surgery. Now it has to be room temp. Just odd things like that.

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

Every day was different. I walked everyday but 2 for the first 2 weeks after surgery. And I was to tired and sick to my stomach those two days. I have found that I come out strong at the beginning of the day but have weak times that I need to rest.

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

a multi-vitamin , b-12 20000 mcg weekly, and I will start calcium 1 month post op. Those are the only requirements. I'm sure I will add vitamin E as things go along.

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 hardest thing for me was the nausea. But it seems to be much better now that I'm not trying to get the protein drinks down.

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

Being patient. It is the hardest thing for me. I just want to move forward and get to feeling better.

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

We have a support group that meets once a month and it is great to be able to relate our stories and get idea's from each other. Also, my surgeons office is always willing to answer questions and give support if needed.

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

I have five little incisions. Two of the three incisions are healed completely and the other three are healing nicely. I keep them covered just because I don't want my shirts rubbing against them.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I stopped to see my co-workers, they just seem shocked that I was doing so well and had made this decision. We will see how it goes.