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

An employer had it done and died shortly after surgery because of a clot. She was advised by many not to have the surgery but went ahead with it, despite her age and health risks. I was scared of the surgery and vowed never to have to have it done.

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

My insurance was easy. I am military and with my health factors it was approved painlessly. However, after working with insurance companies for many years my advice would be to never give up. Keep writing in letters, sending in requests, and proof that it is necessary, and will actually lower their costs for you the patient.

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

My first meeting was a group informational session that covered all the types of surgery available. Go in prepared, do your research and have a list of questions. If you are well informed the surgeon is more apt to work with you more and it makes you feel more confident.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My family doctor told me that with my health continuing to go on a downward spiral that I would not be there for my kids. If I didn't do something about the weight I would die. That was it for me, I had to be there for my kids and my family.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

When all the options were listed and explained and I researched more and more the laproscopic RNY was the best choice in my opinion. I wouldn't have to have a lot of maintenance does with a port, the after surgery risks were lower and my surgeon was confident that this would be the best outcome for me.

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?

After my decision to have the surgery was made, I felt an overwhelming peace. This can only be explained because of my faith in God, especially in light of knowing someone who had died from this exact surgery. I just knew that everything was going to be fine. I had confidence in my surgeon, I knew that I would follow the rules, and I had confidence that God was going to see me through. PRAYER, PRAYER and more PRAYER.

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 parents and siblings were worried, my friend who had encouraged me before had was scared. However, my husband and children were great. They were all smiles as they took me to the hospital and got me settled. They were excited and ready for a life change. I just kept telling those who were worried that things were going to be fine and that it was a new start in life for me. That helped a lot. I made sure that they all understood the risks so that they could be praying for those things specifically. After surgery they have all be great. Very supportive and fantastic with encouragement.

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

I own my own business and I was off work for about 6 weeks.

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

My hospital stay was great. The staff was very attentive. I was there for two days. I think it's important to have a robe and your own slippers (if they will let you wear them), and maybe a book, however, I was so groggy that it just didn't matter.

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

no

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 excited, I couldn't believe how soon it was going to take place and I just couldn't wait. PRAYER, PRAYER, and more PRAYER. Plus, I started seeing a behavior therapist and that really helped.

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

A lot of rest, sipping fluid constantly, walking as much as you are physically able. I really didn't like the smell of food. My neighbor was cooking for my family and I hated when dinner came in. It was horrible. Variety for the fluids you are going to be consuming. One flavor of anything after awhile gets pretty bad. POPSICLES, as many as you can get, sugar free of course and just keep them coming. It was the most comforting thing I had. Please follow all the rules they give you and have someone to help you.

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

about 15 minutes down 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.

For the first two weeks it was clear fluids only. Water and popsicles for the first week then I could have clear broth and jello. This moved into smoothies and protein drinks for weeks 3-4. Then for weeks 5-6 I started in on soft solids like scrambled egg, cottage cheese, yogurt. Pretty much after that I could eat chicken and fish, dry toast, some veggies cooked to mush. It progressed after that. I still don't eat much if any rice. I usually will throw that right back up. Steak is still not something, even after a year, that I have given up trying to eat. I stay away from pork also. Fish, chicken, very lean ground beef, or ground turkey are my main stays. I stay away from most carbs although I can eat about 3/4 of half a bagel if I am in a pinch for breakfast. I stay away from high fat things like sausage or processed meats. At first when I started solid foods I was throwing up at least once a day. You have to learn to eat small bites and chew chew chew. Once I got that down the throwing up lessened. By six months or so it had stopped completely unless I made a really bad food choice.

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

For the first week I would walk around the outside of our house, down to the mail box and back and that was about all I could tolerate. Then it was up the street and back, and I just kept building up after that.

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

I try to remember to take two multi vitamin chews and two calcium + D chews a day. I am not always good about it. I took vitamin B complex for awhile and add it back every now and then. I had to take iron for awhile but now those levels are back up. I also take acidophilus which is a stomach bacteria booster. It aids in digestion and I find a big difference from when I take it and don't.

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 and vomiting were bad at first but after about 3 months they had lessened quite a bit. I did have some bouts with insomnia, but I wasn't getting enough activity to keep up with my sped up metabolism. I also had problems with being hot all the time because of the increase with my metabolism. At about 5 or 6 months I started loosing my hair. This was the hardest for me and I felt like I was going bald. I am just now, a year later, getting a healthy full head of hair back. Dumping was a problem twice, that's all it took to teach me my limits on sugar. Eating too fast also caused a major panic. I thought I was having a heart attack and it so happened it was just my body reacting to me eating too quickly.

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

My hair loss was the hardest for me and now the side effect of not being able to keep warm. But if that is the worst I can complain about...

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

I didn't find the support group to be helpful at all. Ours is not structured enough and the people that attend it are people who need babysitting. This is a major life change and they treat it as if it can be redone. Not following rules, eating the same old junk and then wondering why they are constantly having to go to the emergency room or calling off work sick. I found it to be a downer.

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

I can hardly even find my scars now. They are so insignificant. I actually expected them to be worse.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

About every 3 months weight loss would stop for me and the past few months I even gained a couple of pounds, then something would kick back in and I see major loss again. I also find that if I am not getting enough water in that my weight loss slows down. But eating healthy and exercise have kept me on track.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Some people I knew before don't even recognize me when they see me. Friends are thrilled. The biggest change I have seen is in how much pride my children have about me being their mom. My 12 year old especially. I also notice a difference in stores and such. A huge improvement. People don't look down at me now. I have a lot more confidence too.