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

I first heard of the surgery about 1996. I thought it would be great; it would be like imediate weight loss. I researched on the internet for about 10 years.

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

I was on Medicare and I was 67 years old when I had surgery. Medicare does not give approvals. Their criteria for the surgery was: diabeties (type 1 or 2), high blood pressure, high cholestrol, mobility problems. My doctors office didn't have any experience with medicare insurance, so some of the claims went unpaid for 18 months.

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

My surgeon was great. He put me at ease with his manner. He answered all of our questions thoughly. Be sure to write down any questions you may have regarding the surgery and post surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When I found out about this type of surgery I was sure this would be for me. The more I researched RNY surgery the surer I was. There wasn't any time that I wasn't sure.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

RNY Laproscopic

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 didn't have any fears. I had total confidence in my doctor. I did have complications but that didn't change my faith in my doctor. You have to have confidence in your doctor and your resolve to a better way of life.

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 the only one I was concerned with how he felt about my decision and he knew it was what I wanted to do. He was very supportive. He was the one I had to live with so it was his support that was the most important. The rest of my family were also supportive and were suprised at how well I look now.

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

I was retired when I had my surgery.

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

My hospitol stay was longer than I would have liked, 9 days. The staff was wonderful. Very considerate and compassionate.

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

I developed a leak on the second day and had a second surgery on day three. Because of my age and the second surgery I was kept in the hospitol for 9 days total.

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 felt great. no anxiety! Looking forward to what I called freedom.

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

In the begining I could only drink about half of the liquid I was supposed to have. I had liquid vitamins, ugh, and liquid calcium, ugh. I didn't know how to get everything down. I wasn't hungry at all. The first few days I just walked around the house. I started to get some of my strength back about the 2nd week I was home. The liquid diet for seven weeks wasn't too bad. It included applesauce, cottage cheese, boullion, sugar-free puddings. Only 1 ounce each.

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

I had to travel 100 miles to have the surgery because of my Medicare insurance. They require a Center of Excellence. My local doctor is looking after me after the first year. He keeps in contact with my surgeon.

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 had no problems with the liquid or soft food diet. My problems began with regular food about 4 months after surgery. You have to chew and chew your food. The only foods that are off limits are sugars. Dumping syndrome is not a fallacy. I limit my carbs and fats. Some foods do not agree with me like chicken. I fix it sauces to tolerate it. All meats need to be cut up in small pieces and chewed and chewed. No potatoes or pasta and lots of vegetables. always take vitamins, calcium, iron and B12 and of course protein drinks.

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

The first 2 weeks I walked around the house. I started to get some engery back after 2 weeks and started to walk around outside. 3 weeks I started to exercise and have kept it up ever since.

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

I started with liquid vitamins and liquid calcium for the first 2 months. After that I switched to chewables, their much better. Now I take Solgar vitamins in veg. capsules, Caltrate Plus chewable calcium, Feosol iron and sublimable B12.

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?

The nausea and vomiting were caused by my not chewing my food enough. My hair loss began about 5 months after surgery and continued for 4 months. I upped my protein and that seemed to help. I started to wear my hair different.

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

The second surgery.

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

My husband and family are my support. I also read a lot of articles and visit bariatric internet sites that have message boards which I read. I don't usually interact but enjoy reading the various postings.

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

My scar isn't a problem. I have a hugh scar from gallbladder surgery and another scar from a hysterctomy. I had laproscopic surgery.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

The plateaus are a bummer! I increased my exercise, decreased my carbs and fats. This helped but it seems once the intial fast weight loss is over which for me was at about 6 months. the weight came off a lot slower. I am still losing weight although it is about 2 pounds a week.