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

I first found out about WLS from my Podiatrist Dr. Elly. She mentioned that she had patients that had already gone through it and they had lost a lot of weight. So I checked it and I was very impressed and recommend it to anyone who wants to really seriously lose weight.

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

I have Medicare/Medicaid and was afraid that it wouldn't pay for the surgery. I kept a detailed diary and had a very detailed packet of information to send off to Medicare/Medicaid. The Comprehensive Weight Management team at Queens kept very detailed information along with a letter I wrote to them to convince them I needed the surgery. I was approved the first time. No problems at all.

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

My First Visit with Dr. Murayama was great. I was very knowledgeable about the surgery because I had went to 6 months of the presentations when it was required of me to go only 1 time. It is very informational and I would recommend you go to as many presentation meetings as you can before surgery because it really eases your fears about anything.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I finally decided to have the surgery when I kept going to the presentations and seeing for myself the people that had already had the surgery. They would sit in front of us as a panel and answer questions about the surgery. The results were fabulous and I decided then and there I was sick and tired of being sick and tired.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After going to so many presentations I couldn't see why anyone would want to keep going back for fills for the Lapband and so I decided the only way for me to go was the RNY. I am so glad that I did the RNY I would not have had any extra money for the fills.

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 did not have any fears at all. I was so ready to have the surgery that waiting was very hard for me. I think because I was so prepared from going to all the informational meetings that I could have given the presentation myself. All I did was pray to God to keep me safe and He did that for me. I had a lot of angels watching over me.

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 Husband was very supportive. He gave me that choice because he new I was very unhappy with the way I looked and felt. Every time I came home from an informational meeting I would tell him and keep him in the loop. My husband is very happy and very supportive of me today.

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

I am disabled and I do not work.

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 very good. I was there 3 days. The most important thing I should have brought was sanitary pads. I didn't think I would need them after 5 years not having a menstural cycle.

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

I did not have any complications. I did great.

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 so excited I couldn't stop talking about it. I told anyone and everyone that would listen. I really didn't have any anxiety. I just couldn't sleep the night before because I was so excited.

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

The first few weeks home were rough. I wasn't in alot of pain. I have stairs in my house and going up and down the stairs was killer. You just have to remember not to bend over especially on the left side. Don't pick up anything that is heavy. Take this time to heal and care for yourself, because you are just beginning a brand NEW LIFE !!

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

I traveled 40 miles. I travel that every day if I go to town. It did not affect my aftercare.

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 chose to eat cottage cheese, yogurt, liquid Isopure, protein shakes. I couldn't eat chicken when I first started because I didn't cut it up fine enough. But now I am fine.

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

I had so much energy it was unbelievable. I could walk up and down the stairs without losing breath. I would walk farther.

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

I take Bariatric Advantage calcium and multivitamin. Sublingual B-12,

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 did not have any side affects. If I felt nausea a trick that Grandma gave me as a little girl is take a capful of rubbing alcohol and smell it briefly and that will immediately get rid of your nausea.

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

I didn't have a bad experience at all. I would do it all over again.

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

I have an awesome support group and after care program. We meet each month and then become a panel in the 2nd half of the presentation.

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

I have 6 little mosquito type dots that are my scars. I think it is great.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have plateaus when I don't exercise enough. I already exercise 5 days a week. So I think I need to kick it up a knotch.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes most definately.