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

I saw an add for Bariatric Treatment Center where a woman had lost alot of weight. They had before and after pictures, she loked great! I called for information, which they sent right away. Then I found out that my insurance wouldn't cover it anyways. My physician at the time suggested diet and exercise, the way he always did. He said that the diet pills don't work and surgery is dangerous. That was three years ago. I changed physicians and insurance companies since then.

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

I had no problem getting approved for surgery. I didn't do anything, my surgeons office did all the work. I got the referral from my primary care physician, she sent a letter to the surgeon also. Their was two consultations required at the surgeons office. Then they submitted information to my insurance company and set a surgery date.

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

I was nervous and excited at the same time. My surgeon was a very kind and knowledgable person. He answered all my questions and gave me more literature to take home. He suggested that I find out as must as possible about the surgery before my next consult. You can get the most out of your first consultation by being prepared. Make a list of questions that you have, also any questions that your family and friends have. Don't be afraid to say that you read bad reviews or had heard stories. A good surgeon will expect that, anyway.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Once I found out that my insurance company covered the surgery, that was it. That was what I was waiting for. I can not afford to pay for the surgery on my own.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My primary care physican referred me to the surgeon that my insurance company covered. He only does open procedures. So that was decided for me. I think that he could have referred me to someone else. I didn't want any problems with the insurance company.

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 was worried about complications at first. I read as much as possible and went to alot of sites online. Since I have sleep apnea, I was concerned about not waking up. You have to let the anesthesia people know that you have sleep apnea. I wasn't scared of dying, but my husband was concerned about that. My children are grown and understood about the surgery. They knew where to find the insurance policies if needed. Try to find out as much as possible about your surgeon and about any death rate associated with his surgeris. I found out that my surgeons' death rate was less than one percent. I thought that was petty good!

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 family and friends were generally very supportative. I answered all their questions and got answers to things I didn't know. My husband and daughters were at the hospital before and after surgery. My husband took me to all follow up appointments, and one of my daughters' takes me to all support group meetings. One of my daughters' came to stay with me fo the first two weeks, since my husband would be at work during the day. They all took turns running errands and helping my husband grocery shop. My friends visited, and brought flowers, and stuffed animals, and called every few days. My friends are constantly letting me know how great I'm doing.

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

I wrote my boss a letter and put it on his desk. He didn't speak to me regarding the surgery for about two weeks. I assumed he was angry that I would be off work for so long. In the letter, I stated that I was having Gastric Bypass Surgery and would be off work for about a month. My friends said that he probably didn't know what it was and would have to research it before speaking to me about it! I don't know if he knew about it or not. He said that it was a good thing and that I should take off as much time as needed. But that I need to keep him informed. I was off work for one month.

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

My hospital stay was three and a half days. The hospital has a very knowledgable Bariatric staff. I had a private room at the hospital. The Bariatric nurse had a bar installed above my bed, its to help pull yourself up into sitting position with minimal pain. Bring comfortable underware. I did bring gowns, but didn't use them. I used the hospital gowns and my robe. If you don't have a robe, remember that hospital gowns are open in the back! The nurses have you up and walking the next day. You won't like it, but you will do it! Its important to do as they say. Moving around as much as possible prevents blood clots! If you have sleep apnea, its very important to bring your own machine! They may not have your type of head grear either.

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

I didn't have any complications from the surgery. I did have to spend the night and part of the next day in ICU. Because of sleep apnea, I had to keep the breathing tube in for twenty-four hours. This was done as a precaution. So, I was in ICU during that time. They watch you more carefully. The let my husband stay until two o'clock in the morning.

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 very excited and looking forward to my date. I was so happy that it was finally going to happen! I had very little anxiety. I think because of all the great people that I was in contact with thru Obesityhelp.com. I was ready for my surgery date. I wished it would have came sooner.

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

The first week home from the hospital was a little difficult. Getting in and out of bed was a chore. After the first half of staples come out, it gets easier. You need to be up and around as much as possible. You heal much faster, if you up moving around. Doing what the doctor tells you is the most important thing. You should be able to wean yourself off the pain medication during the first two weeks. Walking is very important. You need to walk as much as you can. It don't have to be outside, if weather is bad. It was still very hot after I had surgery. I walked around in my house!

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

Its about a half hour drive to the hospital from my house. This is not a problem for me. My husband took me to all of my aftercare appointments.

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'm three months post op. I can eat most chicken, ground beef, fish, lobster, shrimp without any problem. I ate soft food the first week like eggs,tuna,oatmeal,soup,chicken,mashed potatoes and as much water as possible. I was told that red meat,pasta, and rice is off limits for at least four months. So I have not had it yet. I can eat lettuce sometimes and sometimes not. I only eat it at home, so I will be close to the bathroom! I try to eat cheese a least twice a day, and beans several times a week. The beans and cheese at Taco Bell are great, and so it Wendy's chilli! Both recommended by my surgeon for the first home!

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

The first days home, I felt like I could barely walk. I did it anyway. I'm scared of blood clots! I held on to the walls and furniture for extra support. I didn't go anywhere until I went for my one week follow up. I was happy to get out of the house, but the ride was painful. I was glad that I took a pain pill, before leaving the house. After the second week follow up, it was easier to get around, because the last of the staples were removed. I began walking four blocks each way everyday. Then I increased it to twice a day at one month.

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

I took one bottle of Flintstones chewable, which was one vitamin twice a day,(now I take One A Day Essential twice a day)and B12 once a day, iron once a day, calicum twice a day. I take a potassium supplement one a day.

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?

I haven't had any dumping, nausia or vomiting, nor sleep distrubance. I get ocassional diarrhea, especially from lettuce. I do see a little hair loss. I use a protein shampoo.

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

Weighting the five months between my second consult and my surgery date!

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

I still see my surgeon one a month and he asks every month if I'm going to support group! I have a support group that meets once a week in different locations. I go once a month. I can go to any or all of them. It is ran by the Bariatric Coordinator from the hospital. There's always new information to learn. There's guest speakers from time to time also. You really need to attend the support group meetings. They're a very important part of your new life style.

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

My scar runs from my breast bone to my belly button. Its pretty much what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had a nine day plateau. It was a little unnerving at first. I talked to other people online, who had the surgery around the same time as me. I found out that this is pretty normal.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People that know I had surgery, are always asking me how much weight I've lost, or whats the new total. I don't think people treat me differently yet, but I do have a way to go yet.