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

Three years ago I called a 800 number on the TV and had info sent to me. At that time decided "no way" I will just stay fat. I wasn't ready to make a life change yet.

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

Make sure everything possible is documented in you medical chart that will help in obtaining approval. I started 2 years in advance going the doctor regarding knee pain, weight control, etc... I received approval within 4 weeks. The letter from the Dr. must be very detailed. They get all that information from you so be very careful to describe every thing (ex. stress incont.) is a factor that helped and you wouldn't usually think about that problem.

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

Informative. Have all your information ready regarding medical needs to tell you surgeon. Have your list of questions ready. Don't waste his or her time.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My body starting falling apart and I want to do a lot more things in this life. I was ready!!!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I love sugar and chocolate it was a easy decision. I want the most sucessful long term option.

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?

It is always a possibly. Be prepared. I made a living will and a letter to my husband to read only if anything happened to me. If you are too afraid of dying don't have the surgery. I know where I will be if I die so I am not afraid. My husband would do a wonderful job raising our 14 year old son. I had all my I's dotted and my T's crossed.

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 husband very supportive and helpful during and after surgery. So are my children. I did not tell any other family members. Everyone at work was very supportive and encouraging.

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

My supervisor changed after surgery was scheduled. Everyone was very supportive. I have to be off work 8 weeks longer than I planned but that is the way it goes.

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

I was in the hospital for 7 days. It was not very pleasant. Staff was not familiar with gastic bypass patients. EX: the Dr. told me to wear an abdominal binder when up. The nurses made me wear it at all times causing a itchy rash to my back because I had a great deal of sweating. After asking daily for someone to wash my back it was done 3 times and 1 of those times was my husband when he was there in the evening. I was served a meal of solid food on day 4. I had to insist that I was not to have that and to call my Dr. or check my chart to find out what I could have. Be sure and become knowledgeable about you should have and do in case the hospital staff don't know. Bring a telephone calling card if your family live long distance and all important phone numbers you might want, Comb/Brush and hair things, house slippers, underpants, pads or tampons (very common for your period to start after surgery even if not due yet), loose outfit to wear home, perfume, lotion,deodorant,book. Thats all I can think of that's needed. The hospital has toothpaste,toothbursh,soap,no-rinse shampoo.

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

My only complication was blood loss during surgery. This required 3 units of packed cells transfused during my hospital stay and taking iron supplements after going home. I was weak and tired longer than I would have been if this hadn't happened. Everything worked out alright.

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 very excited and scared realizing the life change I was about to make and no turning back now. I ate everything in sight and as much of it as I could. I talked about it all the time to anyone who would listen.

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

The first week home I slept 10-15 hours a day. Weak and tired. Taking a shower was exhausting, forget blow drying my hair. My husband and son did all the cooking and housework. Somewhat difficult laying flat in bed at night. I propped myself up on 2-3 pillows. Things improved quickly. During 3rd week I could shower, blow dry and put in my hot rollers without getting totally exhausted. During the 4th week I was ready to get out of the house for a little while (went to Wal-Mart and went to a movie not on the same day). Now I am in my 5th week and I went to the Apple Butter Festival for 1 1/2 hours before I had to give it up and go back to the car.

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

The closest hospital in my insurance network that did this surgery was 65 miles away in Indianapolis, IN. Unfortunately I have no aftercare program.

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 think I must be a lucky exception. 1st 2 weeks only liquids (fruit juice mixed 50% with water, Carnation sugar-free instant breakfast mixed with skim milk). I was suppose to stay on liquid or blended foods for 4 weeks but I couldn't do it. 3rd week I started eating a little tiny bit of anything I wanted chewing very well and eating slowy ( baked beans, hot dog with mustard, potatoe salad, green beans, chicken, chedder cheese, yogart, sugar free popsicles, sugar free jello, sugar free pudding, shrimp cocktail, biscut) I tried a fish sandwich from McDonlads but I didn't feel too good for about an hour afterward. I ate 1/4 of the fish and 1/8 of the bun. I have never felt nausuated but twice my stomach hurt a little bit after eating. That was when it was something greasy. Now I am in my 5th week and I had 2 mot. cheese sticks for lunch at the festival no problems noticed. I do not have any carbonated drinks anymore. I am waiting a while before I try a salad it really sounds good. I have really started noticing the flavor of everything and savoring it because I know that I will only have a few bites. I think before I put anything in my mouth (what a novel idea!) My biggest problem is that I have a terrible belching problem for about 30 min. after eating and sometimes just drinking. It doesn't hurt justs sounds bad.

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

Week 2 very weak and tired. Sleeping 10-15 hours a day. Just a struggle to take a shower, forget blow drying my hair. Week 3 able to cook a little and do a load of laundry. Able to fix my hair. Week 4 ready to get out of the house went to Wal-mart and a movie. Still sleeping 10-12 hours a day I need it. Endurance level about 1 1/2 hours at a time than must rest a while. Weeks 4 and 5 cooking all the meals for family now and doing light housework. NO lifting and twisting being very careful.

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

I take 2 Children's Flintstones chewables with iron per day, 2 iron pills 5mg each for 30 days, Pepsid 20mg twice a day, sugar free tums 2 of these each day at a different time than the iron they don't mix

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?

So far so good. I have not yet had any of the above. I am 30 days post-op. I dread the possibilty of hair loss.

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

By far it was the nasal tube that I had to have in for 4 very long days. Also the x-ray taken before removel of the tube was very difficult. They kept making me swallow nasty stuff too much, I had to tell them I couldn't do anymore. Almost vomited.

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

I don't have any aftercare support group/program. I wish I did because I am just playing it by ear. Luckily I am a nurse and that helps me understand the functioning of my body. I read everything I can on the internet to help me learn more.

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

I had 43 staples measuring 9 inches. It did not hurt at all having the staples removed. It is bright pink in color being 30 days post-op. The Dr. told me what to expect regarding the incision size. I don't care about the scar as long as I can become a normal size and wear normal clothes. If my knees stop hurting very time I go up or down stairs I would take as many scars as needed. I consider my scar a badge of honor I have finally taken control of my life and I am going to live it the way I want to from now on. I am proud of myself and as you can tell very humble HA HA.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have not plateaued yet being only 30 days post-op. But I realize that will just be part of the process. So be it. As long as I keep eating right it will come off. Update 1/1/00 I am now 4 1/2 months post-op. I started at 286 lbs. I plateaued at 227 for 2 weeks and now I am plateauing at 215 for the past week. It will come off just takes time.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet it hasn't been long enough for others to notice yet. 30 days. Update 1/1/00 Now at 4 1/2 months post-op down from size 26 to size 20. People look at me funny and ask "Have you cut your hair" or "You have lost some weight haven't you?" I don't think anyone realizes how much I have really lost 71 lbs. They just can tell that I am different looking.