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

I read about it in a magazine and was immediately interested and yet afraid to talk about it with anyone as this was 4 years ago and it was not openly discussed at that time. I was a little worried about the surgery but more worried about where my health was going with all the weight and I researched on-line into it to learn more.

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

I first had United Health CAre and even with my knee being bone on bone they turned me down. I then heard that Blue Cross was covering it and changed healthcare plans, applied and was approved right away. I was fortunate.

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

My first visit went well, I had to fill out a very extensive questionaire and the doctor explained in detail the surgery. I would recommend asking alot of questions, the only question stupid question to ask is the one you don't. Do a lot of research before you go so you are knowledgeable about the surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The fact that I had to sleep with a Cpap machine at night, had the beginning of adult onset diabetes and my knee was bone on bone, I was on high blood pressure medication too. It seemed an easy choice to make with the alternative. I was exhausted all the time too which was very depressing.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

From research and talking to my doctor.

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 a lot of fears of the surgery as the risk of not having it done and continuing the way I was going was a death sentence anyway. I looked at it as a way to save my life and give it back to 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?

At first my husband was a litte suprised but then after I explained about it he was ok. I think he was however nervous about the surgery and worried that I would be ok as it is very serious surgery and not to be taken lightly or entered into without a lot of thought.

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 over 13 weeks as 6 weeks after this surgery I had my knee replaced. My employer was fairly supportive, however after 13 weeks they said they could not hold my position open any longer which turned out to be the best thing that happened. I since have started a new career and am going back to schoo.

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

I was in for 5 days as I had to have open surgery and their were 25 staples which were the sorest part of the surgery. The hospital staff was pretty good but at that time were not used to dealing with patients who had had the surgery and they were learning too. Since you sleep alot due to the pain medication reading a book is not possible. I think having visitors is the best.

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

A year after I had scar tissue in my bowel and it blocked it then it twisted. I had to have another 25 staples up the front and a week in the hospital. Unfortunately at that time I did not have any health insurance so needless to say it was a very heavy financial burden. I recovered and have been fine for the last year.

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 read and went on line to learn as much as Icould about what to eat and what to do after the surgery. I felt fine and was anxious to begin my journey and make sure I did everything right. My sister was having hte surgery 2 months after me so we communicated quite a bit about it. I find however for me that worrying about every little thing is not good and try to look for all the positives of everything so Imostly focused on doing things the right way and was grateful for the opportunity to start over.

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

Expect to not do alot however walking about is a good thing and will help you recover more quickly. Be careful about what you eat and plan ahead with what you will be having. I would cook carrots in chicken broth and then add some tomato soup to them for flavor as that was what was mostly missing in the protein shakes and anything else.

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

20 minutes of travel to the hospital and doctors office.

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 started wiht the protein shakes and added carrots cooked in chicken broth and pureed then added tomato soup for extra flavor. I pureed cantaloupe and froze it for a treat. I eventually cooked chicken in broth and pureed it. I made sure I ate the right foods, starting with protein first then the vegetables then any starch if there is room. I mostly had problems if I ate too many raw vegetables, celery is the worst, apples and carrots raw - I had my most painful stomache when I ate those once. I can eat pretty much anything except for heavily fried foods which I stay away from anyways and something like very rich ice cream I think because of the hight fat and high sugar content. Also too much sugar and I will start to feel nauseaous. I love to cook so I do alot of stir frys and low fat cooking eating mostly chicken, fish or vegetarian dishes and stay away from alot of carbs. I try to eat whole grain breads when I do have bread and do not eat a lot of pasta -try to use whole grain there too and potatos, I try to eat sweet potatos instead.

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

First week was bed ridden in hospital, next week I could walk around a bit and tried to walk as much as I could but my one knee was bone on bone and Iwas scheduled for knee replacement surgery 6 weeks after by gastric bypass so I could not walk very far. 3 week after surgery I hosted my grandsons birthday party but everyone helped alot and it kept me moving and active. Now I am called the energizer bunny at work.

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

I take iron, B vitamins and something called green source that has alot of eveything in it and I take calcium magnesium too.

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?

Mostly it was stomach pain if I ate the wrong food or too much particularily roughage. I did lose some hair after the two surgeries but it has since filled in and I knew it was only temporary. I took extra iron for the hair.

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

The fact that I didn't do it before. It has given me my life back.

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

I only went ot a meeting once, it mostly dealt with people who just had the surgery or were going to have it. It was a huge group so sharing was not something you could do. I did not find it very helpful.

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

I have a long line down the front that is fairly thin. I doesn't bother me at all. I figure a scar is nothing in comparison to how I looked before.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have levelled off now, 2 years later. I was 265lbs and am now 128lbs. I have found this to be a weight I can maintain if I eat right. Most of the weight loss was in the first 6 to 8 months and the rest has been over time. I reached 128lbs approx. 18 months after surgery and have maintained it for 6 months.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Big difference in how I am treated, they actually see me. Nobody saw the thin person inside before. I actually get people making comments about "how thin I am and how lucky I am to stay so thin, however do I mange it?" It always takes me aback when someone says something like that. One woman said it to me in a ladies room and first I looked around to see who she was talking to, couldn't imagine that it was me.