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

I had a dr in NY tell me it would be a good idea for me to look into it. I think at first I thought it was going to be like a magic solution. I didn't get more info until we moved to CA.

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

Honestly, getting the approval was easy......I think it varies from insurance to insurance and what conditions play into the decision making factor

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

I'll be honest, my first visit with the surgeon was awful. He was rude, more concerned about telling me about his charity work replacing hip in Mexico. He told me what changes I needed to make, but wasn't happy I decided to have my hip replaced before having the gastric bypass

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I knew it was something I had to do......even with getting the hip replaced and being mobile again, I knew I'd overeat no matter how hard I tried not to. I needed something what was going to "put the brakes on" so I couldn't overeat

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

We discussed the lap band and Roux En Y, and decided on the latter......I knew that the lap band requires more follow up appt's, and being a military dependent, I don't always have the time or ability to make those appts.

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 wasn't overly worried about complications or death, but I did discuss with my husband what I wanted in the case of something going wrong

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?

We only told family that I was going to have the surgery at first. I had a friend who was very against it from the start. Everyone has been very supportive of this journey, with the exception of the one friend, who will no longer speak to me

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 wasn't bad at all....I had a private room, with a nice view. I was there about 48 hours.....I stayed an extra night because I was having horrid gas pains. The best thing to bring was comfy jammies, and my favorite blanket from home!

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

My biggest complications were that I'm allergic to the tape they use and it left small blisters, and the incisions kept popping open

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 felt pretty good.....although, I was sick of yogurt by the time I was able to move back to solid foods!

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

There's a lot of learning going on.....what you can tolerate, making sure you're getting what you need protein wise.....learning a whole new way of life as far as food goes. It was a transition for our entire family.

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

I had my surgery in town

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 was allowed greek yogurt, fat free yogurt ( like Yoplait), soups that had been run thought the blender....very little in the way of carbs...lots of fluids. As time went on, I introduced veggies back in....and I can tell you I missed them. I'm not a meat eater, so I had to introduce veggie burgers.......carbs like bread, rice, pasta, were last on the list......I still have a problem with pancakes, waffles, "bagged bread" ( as in not fresh from the bakery), vanilla ice cream, super sugary stuff

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

I waited till about 2 weeks after surgery to start really exercising. I love Zumba!! I walk everyday, I've added Power 90 Boot Camp (Tony Horton series), seated elliptical trainer, treadmill with a steep incline, hiking, Just Dance video game is awesome for burning some calories! I started out at about maybe 30-45 minutes a day, and work out now about 100-140 minutes a day.....I try to mix it up. I do weight/resistance training along with cardio

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

I take chewable iron, chewable B12, chewable vitamin D, prescription vitamin D, and B vitamin complex, chewable vitamins, cinnamon (helps wit fat metabolism and regulates blood sugar), calcium chews, and a fiber chew

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 really didn't have too many side effects.....I did vomit a lot, but I've stopped that from happening as much over the past 3-4 months....it's a learning process to know what's too much, and what you can't tolerate. I do dump once in a while....I know the warning signs.....I'm what's called a "late" dumper....it happens hours after the "bad" food was eaten. I'll have the blood sugar drop, then a few hours later the diarrhea.

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

I think the worst part for me was giving up my carbs!! I don't really eat much bread, pasta, stuff like that.....we eat the Barilla Plus enriched pasta. I think the hardest thing for me is making sure I'm getting the protein that I need....I'd love to have some fruit, but dang, I'm low on protein, so string cheese it is!

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

The hospital (CHOMP) that I had my surgery at has different support groups geared towards different aspects of bariatric surgery. I go to the general meeting.......right after the surgery it was a life saver.....now, I don't go like I should, but I'm also figuring things out on my own

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

There were 5 incisions, 4 of which are about 1/2 an inch long.....the 5th one faded completely...considering all the other scars on my body....these are nothing!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I've had a few plateaus.....they're very frustrating......it seems like you work and work, and watch what you eat and the scale never moves....then all of the sudden, 4 lbs will just "poof" away! It's very disheartening for me, but I know it's just the way the body works......

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes and no.....My husband loves the way I look.......I get more looks when I'm out.....my family lives cross country, so seeing pics of me blows their socks off. I've basically lost a small human!