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

A coworker of mine had this surgery about 4 - 5 years ago and she has done very well and is a healthier and happier person now. Then my younger sister had it done a year ago and she is looking and feeling great and has had a good experience with it. So I began reading everything I could about it and decided it was what I need to do.

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

As of June 4 2008 I have my insurance approval and am surprised at how quickly BCBSNC came through with the approval. It sure takes a load off my mind knowing I have a go.

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

My first surgeons meeting went well and I am comfortable with going forward with him.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I have diabetes and losing weight is the only way to slow or stop or reverse the progress of the disease.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I knew I would never be comfortable with a lapband so I decided that the RNY would be my best choice. It turns out I made the right decision since it may resolve my diabetes among other conditions I currently have.

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?

Knowing that currently the RNY is one of the safest elective surgeries helps me to feel fine about having it. I have proactively done everything I can to get my self into shape for this surgery to make it safer. I have been exercising regularly at a gym since January of this year (new for me) and I have taken off about 25 pounds to get ready as well.

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?

So far my family is on board. At least they aren't trying to talk me out of it. My husband has started reading the books about nutrition related to this surgery because he wants to make sure I stay as healthy as possible.

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

I am not employed.

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

My stay at Wesley Long was pretty good considering I had surgery. The nurses were as helpful as they could be and the room was fine for the situation.

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

I had what my doc described as an uneventful surgery. No complications happened for me.

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 am not generally an anxious person ans I did pretty well. Every Non Scale Victory just urged me on.

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

I was not very comfortable of course and moving around was a little painful. but each day it improved and soon I could turn over comfortably (about three weeks) in bed. I began to start sleeping through the night within about two weeks which is a real feat for me.

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

about 10 miles. Had no real affect as everything is close by.

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 started with liquids the first week but was given the go ahead for solids at one week out but advised to chew properly. My NUT forbid anything with carbs but after a few days I cheated and started adding veggies and high fiber grains so I could avoid constipation. She later backed down and allows them now. I actually did not expect the high protein extreme low carb eating she wanted for me since this is not what most plans do. FOr me I knew that I need something more balanced to be successful so I made my own plan. I stay away from sugar and empty carbs. If it goes in my mouth it has to have nutritional value either in protein or fiber.

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

By the third week I began a new job working in a doggie daycare several hours a day two to three days a week. I was tired after my shift but I would nap for an hour and then be fine. Noe at three months I am working 5 days a week and for 4 or five hours at a time. the job is on my feet the whole time and always moving with the dogs or mopping and sweepeing etc.

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

I use the Celebrate brand of bariatric vitamins and calcium and iron and B12.

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 actually sleep better now than before. I have avoided foods that may cause dumping and have managed to not have any of it so far at three months but I have had a couple of high then low sugar incidents. That was weird. My hair is falling out right now but not that bad and I have thick hair anyway so I think it looks better thinned out a little. I am keeping it very short and spikey as a style for now and after a year out I may want to grow it long again. I am not sure right now.

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

THat I had to do it at all. Having said that my experience just isn't all that bad and I have no horror stories to tell. I am very happy I did decide to do it because finally after 25 years I am beginning to feel more normal in size. I am looking forward to getting to a healthy BMI and to be able to wear great clothes and shoes again.

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

I try to attend the support group at my hospital when I can but transportation is an issue right now. I also attend a group here in NC that meets once a month for a Saturday breakfast believe it or not. That has been amazing and I really am beginning to feel like they are my friends and cheerleaders.

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

I have 7 little spider like looking scars on my bely and they are fading more and more all the time. They don't bother me at all.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have this happen at least once every two to three weeks but my weight soon trends down again after a week or so of a stall. I track my measurements monthly in a spreadsheet and that tells the best story over the weight readings.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No not really.