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

I remember hearing of surgery as a teenager. My uncle had a gastric banding years ago and lost lots of weight. I have always been scared of it and considered it a drastic choice. I feel I am much more educated on it now. I also worked with a girl who had it done more recently. Watched a video she gave me. Saw lots of stuff on TV. Then found all the information in the world on the internet.

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

Not that bad. I happened to have an employer that allows for benefits for morbid obesity. Now they don't pay for sleep apnea related things thus slowing my journey down and that is the reason it took me a year to get this done. Just read your benefit booklets. When you interview for a job before accepting a position.. ask to see their benefits.. and read to see what they do and don't allow. This is the key to good insurance.

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

It was great. Dr. Pilcher was very open and up front. He was thorough. I didn't have too many questions but I advise people to ask them if they have them. You want to leave this appointment feeling informed and comfortable with your surgeon. He was very frank about this being a life time committment. He also sat a medicine cup in front of me and said that is my new pouch.. this was a shock but I am glad he did. I keep that mental picture now when I am eating.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The risks and health issues. I knew I would eventually die if I didn't do something to lose weight. I accepted the fact that I can't do it alone. I need a tool.. something to help me restrict my intake and to learn a new way of eating and living. WLS offered me that. I was too young to be so tired and sick. I wanted to live a long, healthy life and felt WLS was my answer.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted the procedure that seemed as little altering as possible, but yet had long term success. The RNY seemed to fit the bill. Dr. Pilcher leaves the stomach intact once stapled. I feelt this was as little alteration as possible and yet the Y bypass allows for the greater success long term.

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 had the normal fears of surgery..that something would go wrong with the anesthetic or the surgery and I'd bleed too much or not wake up. Or that I'd have a heart attack. These are normal fears. I was very calm the day of surgery. I put my trust in my surgeon. If you don't have a surgeon you can do this with.. look for another surgeon. You have to trust your surgeon. Just realize that fear is normal and healthy as long as it is kept in perspective. Know that we all have them and we all have made it through. Yes there are cases who don't, but be realistic and see what comorbidities they had prior. The higher risk means the higher risk !! Don't assume either that because it happened to someone else it will happen to you. We are all different.

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 all supported me. My Mom was a little leary, but she understood and she supports me. They all understood why and I gave them as much information to make them informed as I could. I tried to let them know step by step what to expect and it seemed to help so much. Everyone has been so there for me and I've appreciated it so much. I am very lucky.

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

They were also very supportive. They knew my health was not good. They have been wonderful. I have four weeks off on a FMLA medical leave and I had three weeks Extended illness bank time to draw. They totally understood and are waiting for me to get back soon.

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

I was there 5 days. It was a good hospitalization overall. The nurses were very attentive and Dr. Pilcher has made sure to educate them so well. They were very encouraging and helped me all they could. The nutritionist came by as well as a nurse who also has had the surgery two months ago. That was a big help. I brought music which helped relax me afterwards. I brought gowns.. for when I was showering so I could feel comfy. Bathroom wipes help a lot. Good houseshoes for walking.

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

I have had no major complications from the surgery at this point.

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 relieved to finally get a date after waiting for over a year. I had very little anxiety. I did make sure to go over things with my boyfriend.. like what to do in case I didn't make it. I was never really overly concerned that I would not make it through just fine. I was truly excited to be getting this chance at a new life.

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

The first weeks you are sore.. getting around gets gradually easier and sleeping gets easier. I was unable to lay flat or in the bed for the first three weeks.. spent them sleeping propped up on the couch. Eating is a big adjustment. I was lucky not to have a lot of head hunger that first few weeks. Learning what you can and can't tolerate is interesting. I took four weeks off work so I could have time to adjust to the changes. I think everyone has that moment right after surgery where they wonder if they did the right thing, but it passes. Be sure to allow yourself time to heal before pushing yourself. Don't expect to be super human at first !!

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

I was one and one half hours from home.. so not too bad. It has not complicated my after care at all.

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.

Every doctor is different in the things that are allowed on the diet. My surgeon said soft foods for a couple weeks.. then progressing to more solids. I have not tolerated bread very well from early on. Especially regular white bread or buiscuts.. they are just too gummy in my pouch. Milk settles funny so I don't drink much milk anymore. It's like I can feel it just sitting there. I can eat toasted bread and crackers just fine. I can also eat bread as in a bun with a burger and bread on a sandwhich if it's like on a sub sandwich or that type texture.. wheat is better than white. Chewing good has been my worst enemy ;) Chew Chew Chew !!

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

I got out and walked daily after my surgery .. sometimes twice a day. IT was slow going at first, but I think it helped tremendously. It was so much easier getting around once the weight started coming off. I think activity is important in healing and avoiding adhesions.

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

I started off on Flintstones chewables and Tums. After about 4 months out.. the doctor let me switch to a regular vitamin and calcium. Have always had trouble swallowing big pills..so this plays into my vitamin choice. Now I take a chewable Calcium similar to Viactiv (it's a chewable chocolate calcium supplement I found at WalMart. I take a multivitamin from GNC and Biotin (helps the body utilize protein) from GNC. The doc asked me to take fiber pills but I haven't been because I have trouble swallowing them.. they seem to begin to swell before I can get them down. Will talk to him when I go back in January. I try to get fiber by eating lots of salads and fruit.

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?

I think the hair loss was the worse for me. My hair began falling out at 4 months and has continued till about 6 months. It has slowed way down. I did cut my hair off due to it getting so thin. I was fortunate to have had thick hair so other people who don't know me.. don't realize how much I loss. Those around me who know me well.. can tell how much thinner it is. I know it will grow back though.. so I tried to be optimistic about it. I due make myself sick if I don't chew or I eat things I know I am not suppose to. Dumping sucks, but I am thankful for it as it keeps me in check. I pretty much function normally at this point.

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

Overall it has been excellent.. I really haven't had a bad experience that I can think of. If I had to pick what was the worst it would have been spending the night on the ventillator. That was horrible..but not everyone has to do this so I don't want to scare anyone about that. It was due to my sleep apnea.

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

I am members to two online support groups who also meet monthly and bimonthly. I get lots of support from these people and feel it is a world of difference. My surgeon also has monthly meetings but due to the distance I am from my surgeon, I don't get to attend often. My bimonthly support group is awesome and I think this will make me a long term success. I encourage everyone to find a good support group or start your own.

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

I keloid very easily so my scar isn't as pretty as other people's, but I am not surprised. I have had mutliple abdominal surgeries.. so one more scar was no big deal. Besides it will partially dissappear with the tummy tuck ;)

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

My first plateau hit at about 5 1/2 months and lasted for over 2 weeks. I was miserable.. even though I could tell I was still losing inches to not see the scale move was tough. Once it broke though.. things have been moving right along. I know that more are to come and I have tried to mentally prepare myself ;)

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Actually they do. I am no longer the fattest woman around.. and I can really tell a difference in how people react to me. I don't seem to be the draw of everyones attention now when I enter a room.. or a resturant. IT is still hard being overweight don't get me wrong, but it is definitely much better.