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

I surfed the net for several months reading everything I couold about it. I had a co-worker that had her stomach stapled years ago and it never worked, so I was very leary of any WLS. Then I saw the TV ads for Bariatric Treatment Centers and had them send me their stuff. That was in January and by March, I had my consultation and in June had my surgery. I'm glad I had 6 months to think about it and prepare for it...it's not a surgery to rush into on a whim! Would I do it again if I had a choice???? IN A HEARTBEAT!

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

Didn't have a problem......Bariatric Treatment Center did all the work!

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

Have a list of questions....and don't let any one go unanswered! My first meeting with Dr. Schlesinger was very informative.....the man knows his stuff! The staff was very nice and helpful.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I reached a point in my life that I know I had to do something to lose weight. I was diabetic, was in the process of getting diagnosed with sleep apnea, had already had knee surgery, and was just miserable!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

As a nurse, I knew I wanted on open RNY instead of a lap procedure, even though the incision was much bigger. I wanted the surgeon to be able to see what he was doing !!!!!

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 really didn't have any fears. I had had major surgery before and knew what to expect. My fear was continuing to gain weight and have my health decline further!

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 were against the surgery. My Mom had a friend that died after WLS surgery....30 some years ago!....and was carrying around baggage from that. Up until the night before surgery they still were against it. They WERE very supportive, though, and made the trip to Illinois to be with me the first couple of days. Now they think it's the best thing to ever be invented! They carry around pictures (before and after) and show them off to all their friends!

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

My immediate supervisor was against it. She weighs over 400 lbs herself and I wonder if she wasn't afraid that it WOULD be successful for me. She has since quit and hasn't seen me in a long time. She would never consider the surgery for herslf. I was off work for 6 weeks. Ohterwise, the rest of my co-workers were very supportive.

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

The stay was pretty uneventful. They got me up literally 4 hours after surgery and MADE me walk! The first day I spent in a haze (drug), which was good. Once they get you up walking, that's what they want you to keep doing. I felt like that's all I got done, but it's the best thing you can do for yourself after surgery. I was only in 4 days. I had my small fan that I took everywhere with me. Also, for us gals, make sure you bring Kotex! I've talked to a lot of gals who started thier periods in the hospital....which happened to me, too! The shock of the surgery on your system can throw you into a period. Don't worry about bringing a nightgown...their's work just fine and if you don't have a bathrobe, just put on another gown backwards. Make sure to bring slippers along, though. Also, your usual toiletry items. I brough books and stuff and never used them. A good thing to bring is a walkman/CD player with some tapes/CDs for relaxation.

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

Didn't have any complications.

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 really good considering the extent of the surgery. I was odd all pain medication a week and a half after surgery. My incision never hurt. The only place I had any discomfort was my rib area below my breasts....which I know was from the amount of manipulation they did in that area during the surgery. I had a hard time laying flat in bed for the longest time, so I rented a hospital bed for a month and slept in that with my head elevated. I also used ALOT of pillows for getting comfortable. I never experienced any anxiety afterwards.

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

By the first week, I was going for short walks outside. I really tried not to become a couch potato again and actually felt better after I got up and moved around. I read my Bariatric Treatment Center "bible" everyday so I could learn all that I could. Learning to eat all over again wasn't as hard as I thought it would be since I had to eat such little amounts. I was never hungry.

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

I traveled 3 hours to Belvidere, IL. I could have gone to Iowa City or Mayo in Rochester, but I chose the BTC because I wanted to have my surgery done where that's ALL they do...day in and day out...not someplace that maybe does a couple a month. As far as I'm concerned, htese guys are the experts. My aftercare was fine. The distance didn't make a difference. The BTC was really good about calling and checking on me and there was always someone there if I had questions during the off hours.

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.

I do know that sugar really effected me at first. I had to water my grape juice down alot before I could tolerate it. Used all sugar free products during the first 6 months. Now I can tolerated sugar...even though I wish I couldn't. High fat foods still bother me and for the longest time I couldn't eat red meat. It was too hard to chew up, so to this day, chicken and turkey are still my prefernce. I am eating more red meat now. Hot dogs are a killer. Had one last night and am paying for it today (lots of trips to the bathroom). When I had this surgery, I thought I would never be able to go out to eat in a restaurant again, but I go out quite a bit, you just learn what to order. I order chicken a lot, rice, some pasta (Alfredo sauce is still too much for me), stay away from fried foods, lettuce salads work,.....you just learn what will and won't work. The restaurants I've been to are very good about honoring the card from the BTC to let me order off the kid's menu or smaller portions.

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

Each day my activity level increased. I used to nap every afternoon...can't remember the last time I did that! I am always on the go!

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

I have been VERY bad about taking vitamins. (They say nurses make the worst patients....they're right!) I tired taking a multi-vitamin, after I got off the children's chewables (which I thought were too sweet), and one of the pieces got stuck and I have been leary ever since. Luckily my lab work has been ok. My B12 is a littl low right now and I am taking B12 pills (they're small). Never did any of the protien drinks a lot of people talk about.

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?

About month 5, my hair loss started, but I am the only one that ever noticed it. It lasted about 3 months. Dumped several times during the first couple of months after surgery, but usually don't have a problem any more. The hot dog I ate last night gave me the runs today, but nothing right afterwards.

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

Getting up 4 hours after surgery and walking! Otherwise, I thought the recovery was a piece of cake.

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

I don't attend any support groups. Have one online that has been a big help before and after surgery. I feel it is very important to be in contact with people who have gone through this. People who have never had a weight problem just don'tunderstand what we have gone through and the feelings we have.

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

My scar is 10 inches long and healed very nicely. I was never bikini material anyway, so it doesn't bother me to have that big of a scar!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

One year out and I think I have finally reached a plateau....which is fine by me. I am very happy with where I'm at...other wise I lost pretty consistantly.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES! Especially my parents, which at times bothers me, because I am still the same person I was before my surgery...right? I do get noticed by more guys now, which at age 42, makes me feel younger! My husband has always treated me great whether I was obese or not. He has been my total support through the whole thing.