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

When I first started the research about the Gastric Bypass Surgery, I never thought I could be a candidate for it. Through the help of the doctor I was seeing for a seperate medical problem, is where I learned more of what I needed to know.

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

When I first started the research, I had one insurance company, and when I started the initial tests, I had changed to a different insurance company. Of course, all the credentials have changed. It was confusing sometimes to get used to the fact that I needed referrals and different forms for tests that had to be done.

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

I had actually had a lot of time with my surgeon, since I was seeing him for a different medical situation. I was referred to him by the hospital, when I had a venous ulcer on my left ankle, that wasn't going away, no matter what avenues we took. This is how I started to learn more about the Weight Loss Surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I finally decided to have the surgery, after messing around with many diets, such as the water diet, the pineapple diet, TOPS, and Weight Watchers, to name a few. When I wasn't getting anywhere, and I had talked with my surgeon about it and realized I was a candidate, because of the weight I still had on my body, I was hooked on going through with it.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I looked at all the different procedures, and realized that the gastric bypass was the one for me. It has a better success rate than the other procedures. ANd I figured with what the doctor was doing in the operating room, I would progress my loss with the right diet and exersizing regimen.

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 have the utmost confidence in my surgeon and his staff, or else I wouldn't have gotten this far. I know there are risks with this surgury, as there are with any surgery. If you can understand that your doctor is very professional and has the education to know what he is doing in the operating room, you will have no worries, as I do, just hours away from surgery.

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?

At first most were like, yea right, you won't go through with it. But I have the confidence that this is something I can do.

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

I was working a part time job at a Health Food Store. I didn't feel that was the best job for someone as over weight as I was, but I felt accepted by my co-workers, my employers and my customers. A lot of the customers are people on special diets and no one has ever looked at me in a strange way, always looked at me with confidence that I was a normal person, trying to help others enjoy their life through organic foods. When I first told my employer about my decision to have the surgery, she tried telling me of organic foods that would aid in the weight loss, but realized I was head strong and I was going to do it the way I had planned out. They were both very supportive and have even asked me to come back and work for them again, after I have recovered.

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

I was operated on November 13, 2006...which was a Monday morning. My stay lasted 4 days, going home Thursday afternoon. Bring along with you either a book to read or a puzzle book, and if needed, please ask for a fan. Those hospital rooms can be so stuffy sometimes.

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

Upset stomach was the only complications I had while in the hospital. Asking a nurse for a fan, to blow cool air on me helped a lot. The last thing you or your doctors want you to do is vomit.

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 and since I had the utmost confidence in Dr. Iqbal, I really had no worries.

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

OMG! You're probably going to laugh, but my biggest problem was wiping myself after having bowel movements....it was a terrible feeling not being able to turn and wipe your own behind!!

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

The hospital I went to is in the next town over from my residence. Maybe 10 minutes away.

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.

All I was able to digest comfortably was water, Crystal Light, and baby food in the first 2 weeks after surgery. Since then, I can still not tolerate hamburger, steak, and rice. I don't use sugar anymore, only Splenda. I don't drink coffee, soda, or high sugared juices. Only juices with natural sugars found in their fruit.

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

It was slow going for the first 2-3 days, after that, watch out world, here I come! I was walking 7 blocks a day, walking my children to and from school, a week after surgery.

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

I take 3 Children Flintstones Vitamins, a B12 complex, Calcium, and my protein shake with Soy Milk.

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 was only the first 2-3 days, after that I really didn't have any complications. I did eat something once, and wasn't paying attention, and ate more than what I should have and that's when I knew if I could vomit I'd feel so much better. Well I never dumped, I just wanted to die!

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

NG Tube, it wouldn't have been so bad, if the nurse hadn't bumped it while she was bed-bathing me the day after surgery.

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

I go to the local Gastric Bypass Support Meeting held at Fitness Connection in Vineland,NJ. Being around a lot of the friends I have met through this, makes me want to be the best WL patient.

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

My scar is about 4 and a half-5 inches long, it healed well, except for the bottom, where I had some seepage come through my staples. Other than that, with this being my first abdominal surgery, I am happy with it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

During a woman's menstrual cycle, don't be surprised to either stay at the same weight or even gain a few pounds. I was upset until Dr. Iqbal explained it to me!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, people have begun treating me as a person with a brain and not just some person with no mind, that eats her life away. That's how I always thought people looked at me. Now I have the confidence that I always wanted.