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

When I was in my 20's a Dr told me that there was a new surgery and I needed it. He was quite cruel but he didn't care. I didn't consider it then but as I heard more about it and saw positive results of others I began to research it.

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

No problems with getting approval. Took a while to go through the process but in the end it's be worth EVERY thing I've had to do.

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

I cried because they told me that I had to lose weight before I could have the surgery....but again worth every tear, test and everything I had to do to get to this point.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My aunt died on a concrete floor and then the doctor told me if I didn't do something I'd lose my legs. I really like my legs...LOL!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

There was no other choice I was to large for the band but I've needed the restrictions that the RYN gives.

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?

Never had fears about dying....I fear gaining any weight at all or even platueing.....I freaked out when I platued for the first time. but I had to learn that that's part of the process.

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?

There were positives and negatives from both family and friend. My immediate family have supported my a million percent and my best friend has supported me the same...IT took some heavy conviencing with some other family and close friends BUT it wasn't about them it was about me and my health. NOW EVERYONE supports me!

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

They were happy but 3 months after surgery they laid me off. They also did the same thing to another lady...hmmm makes you kinda wonder huh?

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 3 days. My stay was good except for the food. If they hadn't put the thickening in the puree it might have been ok but it made me sick.

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

No complications at. I did have to have my gall bladder removed post ryn

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 was very excited. No real anxiety. Just ready for a whole new lifestyle change.

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

The first 3 months are the hardest. Everybody else is going on with their lives and you have to be on this schedule. You have to have an incredible support team.

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

45 minutes from home

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.

No carbonated drinks, sugar, carbs. I have problems eating chicken. Must be in sauce or gravy. Steak isn't a problem. Wendy's Chilli became my best friend post surgery. I'm 2 years post and there are still some things I'm scared to eat but it's ok. I do have times if I find something I like I eat it all the time. EVERYDAY.

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

OK....I sing and I move around alot when I sing so I'm active with that. NOW I go to the gym everyday.

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

Multivitamins, Calcium, D, and iron.

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?

hair loss was the worst for me. My have was one of my positive attributes pre surgery and people ALWAYS complimented me on me hair so when I started to lose it it was very distrubing. It has come back in but now it's curly...but who cares at least I have hair. I also have a TERRIBLE problem with upper gas. It hurts really bad.

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

Trying to figure out what I can and cannot tolerate. But that's not really bad it just takes time.

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

Just my family and when I go for my doctors appointments. I haven't really been involved in the support group at the hospital because the first one I went wasn't what I thought it would be.

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

Very small and minimal scarring.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I've had several plateaus but the first was the worst. IT really freaked me out. I fear gaining weight so I immediately thought oh no that's it. No more weight loss. Then I began to lose again. YEAH!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES!!!! People actually look me in the face when they talk to me.