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

I don't realy remember how I heard about gastric bypass. I do remember thinking that would help loose weight, so I started doing a lot of internet reaserch on it. I also went to a clinic, and atteded a support group for bariatric patients. I remeber thinking with everything I'd tried, I didn't realy have a whole lot to loose. I do feel that it is a last resort type of thing. My doctor told me in the first consult, that diet is the 1st, 2nd,3rd, 4th, 5th,6th,and 7th choice. Gastric bypass is the last choice.

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

I didn't realy have a lot of problems getting approval for the surgery. I did have to call to see if it was covered, and make sure my doctor is in network, but other than that, I realy didn't have any problems. I would advise you to find a pcp that will support you 100%, and who is also willing to write a letter to your insurance. I've been told it goes smoother if you do.

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

My first visit was scarry. It's like this is the person I'm putting my life into his hands. What's he going to be like, and how will he react to me? I was very nervous eventhough I'd had ALOT of experience with doctors. I had a consult with his assistant, and she went over the possible complications with me, and then did a physical exam. I do remember her hands were cold. She then told the doctor all the info she had gatherd, and he came in to consult with me. He went over the complications again with me. By this time, I was getting a little scared, but he took the time to answer any questions I might have, and he also went into greater detail about everything than his assistant did. To get the best out of the first meeting, and I can never stress this enought, DO THE REASERCH. Find out about the doctor. Call the Medical Board. Find out if he's had any disceplanary actions against him. Make a list of questions, and don't leave until everyone of the questions are answerd and you understand them. Make sure your comfortable with the doctor. My doctor is a little gruff, has a dry sense of humor, and is very blunt. He suites my personality perfectly, but someone else he may make feel very uncomfortalbe.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I got tired of going out to eat or going out in public, and being treated like someone with a disease. I also hated the way I looked in my wedding pictures. My husband loves me the way I am, but I don't.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted something that was permenant.

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'm not afraid of the pain, but I am afraid of never waking up. I do think that because I've had surgery before, it did help to alleviate some of the fears I had

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 father was sceptical about it, but supportive. I do miss having him there to hold my hand and pray with me... he died from complications after having a valve replacment... My mother wants me to try to loose weight naturaly, and try to have children, but all my doctors think this would be a bad idea. She's finaly acknowledged that for me this is the last best choice, and is, reluctanlty, supporting me. When I told my brother about the finalized time and date, he started literaly preaching to me. Said he dosen't believe in it, and that he would pray I wouldn't be able to go thru with it. We had a few words about it, and I told him he doen't have to believe in it or like it, I just wanted his support. My husband is supportive. He tells me he loves me the way I am, but also knows for medical reasons I need to loose those extra pounds. My mother in law is also very supportive about it.

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

My sup is ok with this. I didn't realy go into detalis about it. I think in some obscure way, I'm ashamed of having this done. I don't want everyone to know about it. It makes me almost feel like a cheat. My doctor is saying I'll be out about 4-6 weeks depending on how well I tolerate it.

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

The nurses were wonderful. I usualy have a very high tolerance for pain, but even with all the drugs they gave me, I still hurt pretty bad. It did seem to get better as time went on though. I went in Thursday and got sent home Friday. I was up and walking late thrusday night. I managed to get half way around the nurses station. The ng tube was also painful. Thank God they let me swish water around my mouth. I had cottonmouth from you know where. My mom stayed the first night with me, and helped out a lot. I would sleep about 2 hrs, then wake up, and then sleep again. She helped me get things I couldn't. The main things to bring are lip balm (I used the Bert's Brand Beeswax Lip Balm) My own lotion, shampoo, conditioner, and brush. You don't realy need a lot of stuff. I did bring pads on the off chance I might have started my period, but thank God, didn't.

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

I was very lucky. The only problem I had was a lot of pain.

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 dancing with joy one minute, and scared stiff the next. I didn't sleep at all the night I got my date. I threw myself into work and into getting the house ready for leaving. I tried not to think about it too much. I did cry when I went to get my living will and power of attorney signed and witnessed. That made it hit home that I might not make it. I even had to have another copy made to sign as I messed up the first one.

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

The first week home, we stayed at my mother in law's. My husband didn't want me staying by myself while he was at work. I was in a lot of pain, but as time went by, it started getting better. I got exaused just taking a shower, or walking around the house. I tried to get out at least 2x/day and walk around the house 2 or three times. That helped a lot. Then, when I came back in, I would go to sleep for a little while. As time went on, I was able to stand up and move around for longer periods of time with less and less pain At 2 weeks out, I was completly off pain meds, and using adult liquid tylenol.

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

It takes me about 20 minutes to get to the hospital from where I live depending on traffic. I've read stories where it took people hours to get home, and am very grateful there is a very good hospital so near to home. My trip home was painful though. The appt complex where I live has several speed bumps. I pressed a pillow on my stomach to help put pressure on my incision. That helped a lot.

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

I had very little stamina, but I made myself get up and walk at least 2x/day. I have found it did make healing a lot easier. At 2 weeks out, I still am taking a nap in the middle of the day, but overall, am finding my energy level is getting higher.

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

I take adult chewable centrum, 2 chewable pepcid ac, one in the morning and one at night on my doctor's instruction to decrease the level of acid in my stomach and 2 viactive calcium chews which not only help with adding calcium, but also takes care of any sweet tooth I may have.

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

The two things that were the worst for me are the pain I went thru, and the loss of privacy. When you are in the hospital, they come in at all hours, and help you do things you might never hve needed help with before. That was the worst thing for me. You also loose any modesty you might have had.

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

My scar runs from the inside of my belly button to just below the zyphoid process, and is not completly straight. I also look like I have a zipper on my stomach. I scar easily, and the staple holes became mildly infected. I did keep it clean, but when you put a metallic forign body in your body for 3 weeks, it will get infected. It has also kilod up near the top and just inside the belly button. I call it my battle scar.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I just got off a 3 week platu. I had to increase my protein and water and decrease my carbs. I was eating more of them than I thought.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. I seem to be more visable now. People actualy stop to talk to me, when before they would just look the other way. I don't realy like it, as it makes me feel valued now (oxymoron). I didn't feel that way before. It's like now I'm 'worthy' of notice because I've dropped weight, and before I lost, I wasn't 'worthy' of notice.