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

Being a health care worker, I've heard it mentioned by other co-workers, but I really started to think hard when I reached a weight getting close to 300 and I was starting to really feel the health implications of my weight. At this time I heard a radio ad for my health clinic for the surgery. I did research and discovered they were quite reputable. It took me two years to decide officially to go through with it.

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

Park nicolett has a designated person to help you and during your evaluation process the nurse's give you a list of everything the insurance would need for the approval process. Once you have all that information compiled the insurance person compiles it along with all of the documents from the doctors, nutritionists, psycologists and physical therapists and submits it the insurance company. It was only about two weeks after that when I was informed that I was approved. My advice would be if your surgeons office/provider does not do as mine did contact your insurance and ask what their requirements are, make a check list and once completed submit.

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

He was very welcoming and friendly. He completely put me at ease and showed no signs of judgement or disproval. He answered all of my questions and even some that I did not know I would be concerned about. My advice is research your surgery ahead of time; read books such as weight loss surgery for dummies, watch video blogs of other's experiences on line. Make a list of questions and take advantage of this time to become fully aware of what you are doing and if this is going to be something you can handle.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I tried one more diet, a research medication, that produced results, but which also started causing side effects of chest pains. As soon as I stopped the medication all of the weight came flooding back much quicker than it came off. I eat relatively healthy as it was, I am a busy and active person. It was devastating to watch the weight come right back on. A co-worker of mine had decided to have the surgery at the time I was considering it. We became a support group for eachother and ultimately I made the decision that it was time to have the procedure done.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I have a tendancy to have reactions to foreign objects in my body (i dont wear earings often due to alergic reactions despite the type of metal) and felt that to have the lapband may lead to an infection or irritation. I also new that I would not enjoy the regular trips to see the doctor to have the band adjusted. It took quite some time to come to the decision to have the roux en y procedure over the banding, but I have not had any major regrets at this time, but I am only 2wks post op.

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 am the type of person that tries to understand both the positive and negative consequences of an action. So, it was often a thought in my mind that there could be some complications or even death. It was soothing that my surgeon had high rates of success with minimal complications. Infact any death or complication was usually (always in the case of death) related to the individuals health issues. I was in good health prior to the surgery and had no complications with the surgery or with recovery. Infact, if I had truly wanted I probably could have returned to work by the middle of week 2, but decided it best to take the dr reccommended 3weeks just to be safe. It is appropriate to consider the possible complications because not everyone is going to have it as easily as it was for me. There is going to be pain, weakness, some will have infections, some will have to go back in for surgery and some may die. You have to decide if you are willing able to take the chance. Research your surgeon, talk to him or her about your fears. The likelyhood of some serious happening is small, but educate yourself well and prepare as best as you can.

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?

Some of my family and friends were very excited, some were verbally accepting, but internally did not approve or understand. My mother, always a skinny minny, had the hardest time with my decision and often expressed her thoughts. When I went on the 10day liquid diet prior and quickly lost 15 pounds she suggested that maybe I should just continue on the liquid diet instead of the surgery. Hmmm.... mom you try 10 days of a liquid diet with a stomach at a normal size and see how well you manage emotionally and physically. After the surgery her attitude has changed completely and she is now very supportive. The one area that most of my friends and family have trouble accepting is the amount of food I am eating. My surgeon has me at 2-3 tbsp at a meal 3x per day with milk and fluids in between. they do not understand that I am able to sustain myself at the level due to supplimentation and the size of my stomach. They still see me and not my stomach. It will take time and regular education to help them understand.

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

They thought it was a good idea and was very supportive of my decision. However, my boss was not happy with the date I chose to have it done as we are surveyed by the state health department at least once a year and the time I chose was around when we were expecting them to arrive. I promised him that I would be in when the health department came. To my luck they came the week of my surgery (surgery was on friday and they came on the monday of and left thursday before my surgery) and I had prepared so well prior to their arrival for being gone for 3 weeks that I was well ahead of my required job duties, was able to spend more time helping my staff and with my residents, and there were no deficiencies found in my department when they were done. I couldn't help it, I had to do the 'I told you so' routine to my boss. While I have been out, my staff and co-workers have kept in touch with me sending me cards, notes, flowers, emails and phonecalls. I did not want the residents to know I was out on medical leave, but the staff are well aware. This is the time of year that I usually take vacation so for my residents I am mearly on vacation. My boss approved for four weeks off, but I am only taking three per doctors suggestion.

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

The hospital stay was much better than I had thought it would be. I brought too much with, but what I did use I was glad to have with. Pretty much bring toiletries, chapstick, easy slip on slippers and a pillow if you like your own like I do. Some suggested to bring a robe, but I used the hospitals instead. Dont bring your own pjs because your just going to get them dirty with possible leakage from the drain or you woulds. I had a JP drain and the bulb accidently opened on my while getting out of bed. It was almost full at the time and it poured all over me.... yuck. When you leave the hospital, wear the clothes you wore to the hospital. Chances are they were comfy clothes anyway and you didnt wear them long enough to dirty them. I did bring panties to wear though. I also brought reading material and other little things to occupy my time, but never opened one of them. I often slept, watched tv and walked or had visitors. Keep it simple because chances are your going to bring back more than you came with anyway such as flowers, cards, gifts, bandage change supplies, insentive spiromitor, etc

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

No complications, except in recovery I kept having a hard time getting enough oxygen and they kept yelling at me. Also, the anesthesia took a while to wear out of my sistem and I was really out of it and slept a lot that first day and night. The first oral medication also did not agree with my stomach and I through that up quickly, but after that I was fine. They make you walk whether you want to or not, so bite the bullet and take a few steps, I got dizzy and neaseous but ultimately it was what I needed to start waking up.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

The first few days I took a lot of naps and simple things like showering or walking down the block and back were very tiring or triggered pain. I had trouble sleeping at night as I am a natural sleep on my stomach person as well as a mover, but with the incisions I hardly moved at all. However, by the end of the first week I was doing great! and able to do most of what I could prior. However, my endurance is still not up to par with prior to the surgery, but my energy is great. It was nice to have family to help care for me and take care of my dogs. My advice, find someone who you can stay with for at least the first week or two to help you and also keep you company for support. It makes a difference.

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

Dont push yourself. Take it slow. I have a hard time just relaxing. I have to keep busy and dont always recognize when I need to 'chill out' After surgery your body will tell you 'hey if your not going to slow down, then I will make you!' I would have pains, cramps and severe fatigue when I over did something. It is ok to let others help. Take advantage of the time you have to recoup because there is plenty of time later on to keep busy, plus complications can arise or even slow your recovery.

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

I traveled about 20 minutes. Travel was not an issue.

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.

The first week after the surgery it was pretty much jello, broth, juice, water, and crystal light. Then I moved to full liquids which consisted of smooth yogurt and creamed soups like tomato soups. After that I am now on pureed foods. So, pretty much anything as long as it is liquid and pureed smooth. Juice is too sweet for me and so I have had to dilute it. Nothing has had adverse effects on me, but I am not able to eat a lot. 2-3 tbsp per meal.

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

moderate, but at first pretty sedentary, but required walks. Now, two weeks out I am doing most everything I could before, just need to take a few breaks.

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

I am taking Centrum chewables, viactive calcium and sublingual B12.

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?

Now that the pain is gone and I can sleep on my stomach again I am doing just fine. I am only two weeks into this, so I dont know what is to come for the future. One of my problems is I tend to drink fluids too fast and that can be uncomfortable. Sip slowly and small.... Talk with your surgeons office about any concerns. It is better to be safe than sorry is my motto.

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

The discomfort and difficulty moving in bed immediately afterwards as well as the initial neaseau when I first put liquids in my stomach. So far it has been pretty good. Oh, and smelling or seeing food that I can no longer eat (i.e. pastas, dairy queen treats, etc) or cant eat yet (i.e. whole salads with dressings, and other prepared foods). Those cravings can be hard. The mental cravings dont go away just because I had this surgery.

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

I have co-workers who have just gone through this and also co-workers who went through this many years ago. We are a support system for each other. I also plan to attend the sponsored support group through my provider.

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

Scars are minimal will probably be hard to see in the future. They are what I expected because I researched the process and am in healh care. They have healed faster than I expected though.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

when I looked at the scale everyday it seemed like I wouldnt lose any weight, but when I hid the scale and weighed myself once a week it was like opening gifts on christmas morning!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, they have a lot of questions though, plus it is too soon to say.