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

I found out about bariatric surgery from my surgeon that took out my gallbladder 4years ago. He handed me a packet and it scared the living daylights out of me well for one I was only 19 and he only did it open in 1997 now all he does is lap. Plus I was still in denial then and wasn't ready or didn't care. Now I recommend it to anyone who meets the requirements and researches it intensely.

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

I had to send the paper work in to the program coordinator and it was all taken care of by her I was approved so fast because of my high BMI and all the co-morbidities.

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

I knew my surgeon before hand becuase of previous surgeries and had always had confidence in his abilities. When I had to meet with him right before surgery he told me what I could expect regarding complications and what we would do about them if they did occur. With this information I was so ready and had no fear I couldn't wait to be on the other side. I also had a nice list of questions and he answered them all.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

After finally realizing that this was medically necessary and that the success rates were so high. I wanted to be successful too plus honestly I don't think I would be here right now or I would be locked in my room somewhere weighing over 500lbs.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I didn't reasearch the different types before hand but felt confident in the Rny that my surgeon preforms.

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 have any fears because I would've rather been dead than go on living my life the way it was.

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 parents did support the surgery and so did my friends. I don't think a good friend of mine was telling me the truth before about how she really felt. I know it's hard now being two years out and running into people I haven't seen since before the surgery that takes awile to get used to.

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

Didn't have to worry since I was a student just took the summer off but I did start working a little part time about a month later.

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

Hospital stay was ok was only there for three days.

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

Yes two obstructions one 8/23/00 and then again 2/9/01 made me regret having this surgery. I have problems with the dumping sydrome all the time because my pouch empties too fast and have hypoglycemia. We are still working on them even after being two years post-op. I have also went from over eating to starving myself which I am trying to get help with now.

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 felt great felt I hit a major turning point my life would never be the same again boy was I dead wrong. I thought this surgery would fix everything you know loose the weight and you'll be fine ya right if only it were that simple I would've done it a lot sooner but then again I was one of the younger patients who had it done now I have my whole life ahead of me what do I want to do?

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

First weeks weren't fun doing the liquid thing was hard to adjust too. Missed my food except that I was sick all the time so I didn't want to eat so that's ok. Liquid pain meds are gross luckily I din't need them that much. I was in more pain when I had my gallbladder out 4 years ago.

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

I was lucky only about a 45 min drive without traffic. Follow up appointments were easy to make I only have a problem with trying to attend support every Wednesday night.

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.

I can't really remember my food list I'll update this later. We were always told to avoid caffiene, coconut, alcohol, and carbinated beverages.

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

I had so much energy after loosing the first 50 lbs plus I was going to the gym all the time after 8 weeks before that I was walking every night.

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

Twin lab daily two with iron Daily sublingual B-12 daily Caltrate 600 mg 2 times daily Designer protein powder and bars

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?

Nausea first six months and then 15 months out then 20 months out when I had the obstructions. Late Dumping (reactive hypoglycemia) started ten months out lasted till 23 months out. Early dumping started 2O months out still going on I am just a little over 25 months out.

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

The obstructions that I developed after more than a year post op.

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

I attend support on Wednesay nights when I can and I am working with a counselor for all the emotional stuff.

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

I have five 1 inch sites from where they put the scope and trocars.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I can't say that I really had any I lost 23lbs in the hospitial, 110lbs in four months 142 in 9, 150 in 12, 180 in 18, 187 24months. I lost it so fast in the begining didn't really hit a plateau until after the 9 month.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes those that are afraid that I will keep loosing weight.