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

Most of my information originally came from TV news or talk shows. I then hit the internet and started reading everything I could. I was very fearful of long term side effects at first and I was also fearful after reading about people who had gotten weight loss surgery and then re-gained the weight. The most enlightening information was when my husband and I actually went to a seminar by by doctor, John Husted in Nashville. After attending, I knew for sure that this is what I wanted and needed.

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

My approval process was not as difficult as it is for some. After my initail request, I had to show proof of getting diet counseling from a physician and I had to have a psychological eval. After this was complete, I got the approval rather quickly. My advise, is to call every 2 weeks and make sure they know you are not going to go away...be polite...they have the power to let things sit.

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

My first visit was on the day of the seminar. It was great...the first time that I felt there was hope. Dr. Husted and his nurse, Jamie, were polite, professional and informative. My advise is to get all the information you can about the different proceedures. Go to the seminars and write down questions to ask...nothing you ask is stupid.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Meeting Dr. Husted and finding out about the Duodenal Switch proceedure. I felt that this surgery would adjust best to my life style and I did not feel that there was any risk of re-gaining my weight.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

(see # 6)

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?

My biggest fears about complications or dying was that I knew first hand about the seriousness of blood clots, as I had a history of deep vein thrombosis after my first ceserean in 1985. However, I had another ceserean in 1992 and knew that with proper precautions and with my motivation to get up and stay up after surgery, that the risk would be greatly reduced. My advise would be to tell your surgeon everything about your medical history and your fears. Do not go into surgery without the confidence that he will take all the necessary precautions and without the determination to do what you are told to do in your recovery time.

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?

I have been very fortunate...my family, co-workers and friends have all been very supportive and happy for me before surgery. They have continued to be very supportive of me now that my surgery is done. I tell everyone i know about my surgery...could care less what they think and I would not change that. I know I couldn't do it on my own...tried that for 16 years. I want people to know there are options.

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

My supervisor is a nurse, and she was probably the most concerned, as she was not that informed about weight loss surgery and was worried about long term effects. However, she respected my decision and has been very supportive. My human services department was a great advocate for me and helped with all my needs (insurance and time off). I took 4 weeks off, then went back for 2 days on week 5, 3 days on week 6 and then full time.

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

My hospital stay was good. The first 24 hours I was in ICU. Although most of this was a blur, I do remember that they were very attentive. My stay on the floor was also good...however as this was my third week long stay in a hospital in the last 20 years, I could definately see the decline in patient/nurse contact. Bring good walking slippers and a favorite pillow. Make sure that all staff always wash their hands and put on gloves before coming near you. I only had one staff member ( a tech) that did not wear gloves before she tried a proceedure. You are your own best advocate for infection control...especially in a hospital.

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

My only complication was waiting for my bowels to work again...took 6 days and I couldn't leave the hospital until they worked. I had some stomach cramping for a couple of weeks. I dealt with this by talking to other people on line and getting reassurance that this was normal and that it would pass....and it did.

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 after getting my surgery date..the worst thing was the wait (almost 4 months). I ate alot and gained 20 more pounds. I couldn't wear anything but 2 outfits by the time my surgery date came. The worst time was after I had my pre-op testing and finding out there was a problem with my upper GI and I had to find a doctor to do an endoscopy to make sure I didn't have an ulcer. I finally had the endoscopy 4 days before surgery and found out I had gastritis and a hiatal hernia. Thank goodness it didn't postpone my surgery...as I said earlier I was out of clothes!

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

My first two weeks home were miserable. I didn't sleep well and i couldn't eat anything or grink very much. I look back now and I think it was more a psychological thing. I had lived my life around eating, and now I didn't feel like eating and this was very foriegn. After the first 2-3 weeks, I got in a pattern of eating a few bites every 2-3 hours and drinking sips of water in between. I also was given medication for a hiatal hernia. I had friends who went back to work at 2-3 weeks...this is too soon, because you really do need to focus on getting rest and nutrition in the first several weeks.

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

I traveled 250 miles to have surgery. It has been difficult to get back and I did not go at 6 mos and 12 mos, although I have seen my own doctor and had my labs sent and done phone consults. I made sure to go back at 2 weeks and 8 weeks.

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 2 weeks, I lived on popsicles, water and broth. From 2-4 weeks, soft scrambled eggs, soup, cream of wheat. At 4 weeks, I could eat 4-5 bites of anything. Milk caused cramping for me up to about 3 months. I have not had any off limits food, except soda. Starchy foods cause awful gas and high fatty foods cause increased diahrea.

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

For the first 2-3 weeks I stayed home and just walked around the house. I started getting out 1-2 times a day at 3 weeks and at 6 weeks I went back to work in the office part time for 2 weeks and full time at 8 weeks.

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

I take Calcium citrate 600mg in the am and 600 mg in the evening. At lunch I take my iron, ADEK vitamin, Multi-vitamin, and syntroid. I took prevacid for the first 3 months and medication for a hiatal hernia for approx 6 months.

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 was really bad in the first 6-8 weeks, I believe due to my hiatal hernia, because once I started medication, the symptoms disapeared. The hair loss was a big pain in the rear, because it was so messy. I already wore short hair, so i just used extra gel and the curling iron to try and fill in. The worst adjustment has been the gas and the smelly stools. Your family has to adjust to this also and this is not fun. I have to carry an extra set of clothes in the car just in case I have an accident. I have come close 2-3 times while out, but my only accidents have been as soon as i got home.

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

I attend a monthly support group sponsored by my physician. Most of the attendees have had surgery by my surgeon or are thinking of weight loss surgery. I think the support is very helpful.

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

I have about a six inch scar from below my breast to above my navel. It has faded now and does not bother me at all.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

For the past 3 mos I have been on a plateau. It has been frustrating after such a drastic loss so quickly, however, it also give you some time to adjust.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

The biggest difference is that people don't stare at me now like they use to. The only thing that is frustrating is the constant question "how much have you lost now?" For so long, you are able to tell them the results and it feels good, but when you hit a plateau, and you are not losing, you start to feel like you are failing.