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

I seen a operation show on tv and then I read about it on the internet. I wish there was a way I could go on a show and get it done because I'll never be able to afford to get it done!!!

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

I had medical assistance and was shocked to find out that it is covered 100%. I needed a referral from my pcp and proof that it is medically necessary.

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

My first visit was with my surgeon was the visit when he gave me a surgery date. I had already done 5 months of classes, had a sleep study done, a endoscopy, and psych approved already, only thing left ws to finish my last month of weekly classes, get a pre surgery physical and approval. My last class was March 28th on march 29th my paperwork was sent over to my insurance company and was approved within an hour. You not only have to make sure your surgeon is a good surgeon but that his staff are with it too because if they mess up at all on the paperwork it could delay your approval weeks even months.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted to be healthier. I had sleep apnea, depression, incontinence, i could barely wipe after going to the bathroom, I was winded from bending over tieing my shoes couldn't play with my kids Part of me also wanted a better looking body and the confidence that goes with feeling great about yourself.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I was all ready for RNY but did not like the idea of the malabsorbtion. I did not want lapband because I heard they slip and the results arent as great and just wasn't for me. VSG had the restriction that I wanted but not the malabsorbtion that I feared. I learned about sleeve and the next day called to find a new surgeon who does Lap VSG I set up an appointment with Dr Christopher You and at that appointment he gave me a date...3 weeks later.

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 scared about not being able to eat my fave foods, soda, etc. I thought I would be miserable without it. Well my fave food in the world is Pasta Blitz Crab Chesapeake and I will tell you as soon as I started to eat a somewhat normal diet I got my crab chesapeake. I had about 4oz and it to date was the only time I vomited after surgery. Trust me I dont miss it now. I use to eat a ton of tuna and well I had a bad experience with tuna (it caused pain in my chest that lasted over an hour) I know I cant have it now. Now soda is what I feared I would miss most but I actually do not even miss it at all. I dont even have cravings for it. You have a new body and it is all about trial and error for a while.

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?

They were really supportive, I basically announced it to the world that I was having the surgery. I'm in no way ashamed of it.

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

I got jokes like oh you dont need a lunch because you cant eat. It was annoying but whatever!!

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

It was uncomfortable because there were other people larger than me and I felt like they were judging me like I had no real reason to be there. Actually a mother and daughter actually said something to that effect to me and they quit the program after 2-3 weeks and never were really committed to be there in the first place. I was, so if I would have let their comments push me to quit then where would i be now but I was strong and stayed and did what I set out to do.

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

I had the surgery on monday and went home tuesday. My nurses were jerks, I tried to explain to them over and over that I was on a special diet and also that I need to get up and walk asap but they wouldn't listen. I had to call my surgeon from my bed and ask him to call the nurses station and tell them I am suppose to walk asap. That was at 8pm I kept begging them to get me up but they said stuff like it's time to make my medication rounds as soon as I get done giving everyone on the floor their meds I'll be back to get you. Finally at 11pm a tech came in to check on me and I made her take the cuffs off my legs and unplug the IV machine so that I could walk and went on my way by myself I walked the halls.

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

Just pain if i have to burp while eating, pain if i eat to fast, and pain if i eat to much. other than that nothing.

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 expected post surgery depression because my sister had it after her RNY, and I had post partum depression after both of my daughters but I felt great, I was shocked!!

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

I rebelled a lot. I went strait to full liquids and then after just days on that I went to purreds and was on solids pretty much 4 weeks out. I'm spoiled now, I figure I cant eat much so I'm going to eat the best so when my husband and I go out I eat fillet minion LOL

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

less than 5 miles

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 rebelled a lot. I went strait to full liquids and then after just days on that I went to purreds and was on solids pretty much 4 weeks out. I'm spoiled now, I figure I cant eat much so I'm going to eat the best so when my husband and I go out I eat fillet minion LOL

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

I was up walking around asap, I did not lay around the house in fear of blood clots. As soon as I was able to exercise I did.

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

I like ungery chicken soupe flavor protein because all other proteins are sweet and fruity or milky, it's a good change and I like celebrate vits. Calcium, iron, and a multi vit however do not take iron and calcium at the same time they dont absorbe properly if you do. I since stoped taking vitamins and my lab work has been fine.

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?

None except for discomfort in my chest right after eating, it's the same pain you get in your lower abdomen with gas however this is betwen your throat and breast bone. I honestly started sipping something with my meal and it stopped. I just think it was too dry to go down smoothly and therefore burps were painful coming up.

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

The nurses after my surgery that weren't properly trained to treat someone who has had WLS they did not know the difference between RNY and VSG. They kept mentioning "gastric bypass" I kept telling them NO Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy!!! They actually brought me a normal meal instead of clear liquids, they were just a pain in the ass, How come the patient has to go through 6 months of classes to prepare for recovery but the patients nurses know nothing about it at all.

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

Very important to stick with one. Mine is at the hospital where i had my surgery with people who were in my classes and others who are now in those classes.

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

I have several from lapriscopic surgery but they are very small. My surgeon stitched them and then sealed them with glue. I did not know there were even any stitches in there until he told me. The glue came off after a week or two and about a month later I felt something sharp scratch me when changing and that was a piece of a stich that did not dissolve and it came out with tweezers.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Well dont weigh yourself every day cause you will weigh more or less depending on bathroom use and food intake etc it's just pointless. I weigh myself once a week sometimes once every 2 weeks.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really, just comments on my success but actually treating me differently no.