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

I am a nurse and was working in a hospital. I would take care of people that suffered severe complications due to WLS, therefore, I did not initially feel it was an option for me.

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

My experience with BCBS of IL was awful. They denied me even though I met all the criteria. The insurance company did not even follow their own policy. I was fortunate that my surgeon referred my case to Obesity Law at no cost to me. My advice would be to let an attorney handle your appeal, because insurance companies will give you the run around.

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

At my first visit, I was weighed, and the surgeon looked at my incision sites. He told me what was expected with my diet and when I could start mushies and solids. He wanted to make sure I wasn't having any complications.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

After trying time after time to lose weight and keep it off, only to regain. Several friends have had WLS in the past, and seeing their success made me look into what type of surgery would be best for me.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

As a nurse who worked in the OR, I wanted the least invasive procedure with the lowest number of risks. I was also concerned about malabsortion issues from other surgeries.

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 very afraid of complications during surgery due to anesthesia, and also of developing DVT's. I would tell other people who are having the same fears to research the statistics on complications and death from the type of surgery they want to have.

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?

I did not tell my family because they are very against WLS. I only told two friends. One of which had the lap band placed a couple of years before I did.

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

I took off 6 days, and did not tell anyone at work what type of surgery I had.

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

I had a good hospital experience. I had to stay overnight due to pain mgmt issues. I did not bring much as I was suppose to go home the same day. I had a book and chapstick.

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

No surgery related 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 was anxious about not getting cleared by my PCP due to abnormal EKG. Extra testing was required and I did not get cleared until the afternoon before surgery. Therefore, I did not have time to get nervus about the surgery itself.

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

The first six days were a little rough. I could not drink anything cold or even room temp. All fluid intake had to be warm or hot. I had trouble sleeping comfortably for about 6 nights. On day and night 7, everything improved dramatically. I was able to drink any type of fluids, and I was sleeping better. Day 9 all port pain was gone, except for when I bend to pick something off the floor.

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

Only about 6 miles.

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 I could not drink anything cold or room temp. All I could tolerate was warm or hot liquids. On day 7, I was able to tolerate all liquids, including jello. After that, I have progressed through each stage without any difficulties. I have not found anything that I can not tolerate.

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

I walked from day one every hour from 15 min to 45 min. On day 2 until I went back to work, I did this only during the day.

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

Bariatric Advantage Vita Bands.

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?

None

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

Not being able to drink cool water or popsicles in the begining and not being able to get in a comfortable position for sleeping.

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

I have monthly support group meetings. I find it very helpful and inspiring.

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

Scars are very small, and about what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have not plateaued yet

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People are acting more friendly now. Men are holding the door open for me, people who have never spoken to me before are now talking to me at work.