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

My PCP recomended I go to the Bariatric Center and see if it was something I was interested in. I'm so glad I went!

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

Keep records of everything. Go to your PCP regularly to be weighed in. And most important, don't give up!

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

My first visit I felt rushed. He had so many people to see because you go in as a group and meet the staff alone. Bring a book to read while you wait.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Going to the support groups did it for me. I met people that already had the surgery and were doing great. It was the reasurrance I needed to know I could get through it too.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted gastric bypass because I wanted this to be life long, not temperary. I don't want this reversed. I didn't think Lapband would work for me. I knew I would eat around the Lapband procedure. I'm very happy with the choice I made.

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 was affraid of dying, but I also thought I would get through it and be back to normal in a couple days. That didn't happen. Your body needs time to heal. Don't expect to much from yourself to soon and you'll do fine.

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?

I didn't tell anyone other than my husband until after the insurance went through. I was affaid it wouldn't go through then people would be asking all kinds of questions. I'm glad I waited. Most people that know are very supportive. I couldn't of gone through this surgery without the help of my wonderful husband. He has been great!

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

I was out of work for 5 weeks be cause of complications. My employer was great. I was very lucky!

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

I was in the hospital for 4 days. I was suppose to go home on the 3rd day, but fainted and was told I had internal bleeding and had to stay another day. I went home on a Thursday and was back in the ER on Friday because I wouldn't take my pain meds because they made me throw up. I was given pills to help and got better everyday. My advise about having a room mate, if you don't like your room mate, ask to be moved.

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

I had internal bleeding and a stricture. Dr Cobean took care of the stricture and I've been able to keep food down ever since.

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 when I finally got my suregery date. The pre op diet was the worst. I hated it, but it helped me lose 8 more pounds before the surgery.

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

I was very tired and tried to do to much. I pushed myself and thought I was taking to long to recover. Everyone needs time to heal. Don't push yourself to hard and rest when you need to.

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

I live an hour from MMC where I had my surgery. The hardest part was the ride home. I felt every bump in the road.

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.

After surgery I had a hard time keeping anything down. I tried eating babyfood, but even that hurt. I had a stricture and when that was fixed I was able to eat again. After the 1st month I slowly started trying solids, something new everyday. I couldn't eat raw vegtables until I was 5 months post op. Raw vegtables made me feel like I ate rocks. I missed salads and I'm so glad I can eat them again. I do well with moist meats like chicken, meat loaf, fish and eat lots of vegtables.

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

I stayed in bed the 1st week post op. I would get up to go to the bathroom and have a shower, given by my husband. I couldn't stand for long because of a low blood count from internal bleeding. When that was under control I begain to feel better and better everyday. At 8 weeks post op I had so much more energy. By 12 weeks I felt like a new person. Every day just keeps getting better.

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

I take a chewable Multi Vitamin, Iron, Calcium, Sublingual B-12, Folic Acid, Biotin and a chewable Vitamin C.

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?

After surgery the vomiting was the worst, with that past me then hair loss was an issue. It started at about 10 weeks post op. I lost my hair everyday, it felt like I shouldn't have any hair left and it was very scarey. Am I going to be bald? I drank my protein shakes everyday, but still had hair loss. The hair loss stopped around 9 months post op. After the surgery I didn't sleep through the night for about a month. I would wake up every couple of hours. I'm a side sleeper and couldn't sleep on my side after the surgery because it was painful. I had to sleep on my back propped up with pillows. I was so happy when I finally slept through the night and was able to sleep on my side again. My husband was glad when the pillows finally came off the bed.

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

The wait before the surgery and the vomiting after. Everything is wonderful now and I am so happy with my choice.

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

I attend the monthly support group meeting whenever I can. Usually twice a month. It's so nice to see the same people there and see how well they're doing too. It gives me a chance to "give back" to the pre ops the way I was helped before I had this surgery.

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

2 of the 5 scars are completely gone now. The other 3 are so small and getting lighter in color everyday. The scars don't bother me at all.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I've had a couple plateau's. They usually happened when I had a busy week at work and didn't eat or exercise like I should have. I tried to make up for it the next week and the weight came off. I've been at goal since I was 9 months post op and am now below goal.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES! Very much so! I never realized how people treat smaller people different until I became one of them. People are nicer to me and actually look at me when they speak to me. I don't feel invisible anymore. I'm also treated differently by my heavy friends and co-workers. They treat me meanly and are very rude. I try to ignore them, but it's very hard.