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

I heard of the surgery a few years ago and thought "must be nice!" I also thought how risky the surgery was with the report that one out of every 200 dies during surgery. (very old report and big myth) I also felt that since I was young and active, I could take the weight off myself since I put it on myself.

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

Well, when I approached my family doctor about looking into the surgery, she talked to me about the risks and said she would recommend me for it. Due to some health issues, I was approved. I received a phone call from the hospital letting me know they received my application from OHIP and wanted to set up consultation. I told the receptionist that I decided not to get the surgery and had some emotional and behavioural things to work through first before making the commitment. However, the thought of the surgery literally consumed me for about a month. I asked my doctor to look into where I was with the approval and soon received a phone call that I had been approved. Once you are approved and cleared the surgery is scheduled pretty quickly.

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

I went to a group consultation at the hospital. Afterwards, you meet with the surgeon and I also met with someone who worked there and had the surgery 4 years ago. I told them I was still on the fence about the surgery. I must have asked them both about 50 questions each and they calmly answered everything I shot at them. I was impressed with the amount of time the surgeon spent on the consult. I wrote down questions and brought them with me to the meeting. I also brought a friend with me to the appointment (my family wasn't totally on board yet) to hear about the surgery. She asked a few questions herself and it is good to have support with you.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

For about a month after the approval and consult, I was literally consumed with thoughts about the surgery. I saw how there is definitely life after the surgery but was scared of such a lifestyle change. The joint pain and swelling in my feet were starting to interfere with my job. The actual moment I decided to definitely have the surgery was when the hospital called and asked if I would like to book my surgery. I said yes and picked a date.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

OHIP only covers the one. I felt that the Roux-en-Y is the best for me anyways because the lapband would be too lenient for me.

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?

Of course with any surgery you have fears about these things. The surgeon was excellent in explaining the risks and realities to me. I cried before I went in for surgery because I was nervous of leaving loved ones and the what if's. When asked if I was crying because I was scared to have the surgery, I told the nurse, no I have complete faith that everything will be ok, I am just a suck when it comes to goodbyes!!! My advice to others about the fears...it is ok to have those fears but do book the surgery unless you are 100% ready for the surgery.

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 are supportive and excited for me...NOW.... When I first told my mom about it she told me to try weight watchers first and there was too much of a risk, that I was young enough lose the weight. My dad didn't want to hear of it. My siblings thought it was another diet I was basically trying, and that I didn't realize how serious the surgery was. My sister was the first one to listen and ask questions, then lend support. My mom walked away the first time I told her I have a date booked but was on board by the end of the week and with me at the hospital for the surgery and recovery. My dad and brother accept it now and see how positive it has been for me. Most friends are supportive, some still doubtful. I realize after such a big change I will learn who my true friends are... I would not communicate anything differently. I made sure I called or sat down with family members and friends and told them about the surgery. I asked them if they have any questions for me about it and I think that made them understand my decision better.

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

They were completely supportive of it. There are a few women in the company where I work that have also had the surgery as well. They told me to take as long as I needed and are accomodating to my follow-up appointments.

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

I went in the hospital Monday morning and was released by Wednesday around noon. The stay at the hospital was good. The nurses are excellent, especially Colleen, Stacey, and Jojo. The nurses check on you often and all were nice. The most important thing to bring is those damn breathing devices because they have you use them every couple of hours!!! Bring a phone card if you are calling long distance. I brought my CD player, a crossword book, and a novel to have options for something to do.

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

The only complication I had was that one of my sites got infected and I had to go on antibiotics for one week. It was fine after. I also got a yeast infection from the catheter (not that you want to hear that but being honest) which I found out is quite common.

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 at peace. Like I said, I sat down with each person who was an important part of my life and talked to them about my decision and information about the surgery. I was content and looking forward to it. To deal with the anxiety, I did a few things that I knew would clear my mind and let me relax. One was go for a reflexology session, the other was water yoga. I would tell myself to look forward to my future and how good it would feel to be healthy again!

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

The first week I was in pain. The second week I was ok but still had a little bit of pain when I would stand up. I would go for walks and slowly increase my time. You will be shocked at the lack of appetite at first and that you actually think broth tastes good!!!! My energy didn't go through the roof but I did feel better. I felt frustration the first time I went to a family BBQ because I couldn't touch anything due to the liquid phase, I was proud of myself for not cheating.. My biggest shock was that after being an avid coffee drinker, I only drank about one decaf coffee a week in this phase!!!

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

It was about a 40 minute drive from Windsor, ON to Ypsilanti, MI. We got lost the first time going over so that doesn't count lol!

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.

For the first week, I ate broth, sugar free pudding, and protein shakes. The second week, I replaced the broth with creamed soups (after reading the label of course). By the third week I was eating watered down mashed potatoes and pureed foods, from that phase I slowly started adding in regular foods again. I found texture a huge factor and had a hard time with the pureed stage. For me, I can tolerate something at one meal, then not at the next. I know through experience that I can't eat steak. I also keep breads to a minimum because I have a really hard time digesting them. I learned that if I am feeling discomfort to get up and walk and it seems to help. I really read labels now and won't eat something for a meal if it is low in protein. I stay away from sugar added things. I will try a bite of something if someone offers but no bigger than one teaspoon. I am shocked at the foods I do not crave and that I have 2 cups of decaf coffee a day tops compared to 6-8 regular cups a day.

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

In the hospital, they ask you to walk around every couple of hours. It is not an energy spike but you will definitely feel a different energy level. When I got home, I started off by going for 10-15 minute walks slowly. By the end of the first week I was going for 15-20 minute walks. After my first two weeks (and clearance) I started going swimming again. I went in a pool and exercised, did water yoga, or walked for about the first month at least 4-5 days a week. After that month, I started going on the machines at gym again and added this in to the list of activities. I am not as tired as before and feel great after a workout.

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

So far I am just taking 2 children's complete chewables a day. Right now, it's the Flinstones!

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 had a lot of nausea and gas for the first month. I used Zantac or gas-x to help. I dumped once because I added too much added sugars to a protein shake. The only thing I did for that was try to relax and let it pass. It lasted almost an hour. I vomitted once due to eating a food too fast. I am experiencing hair loss currently.

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

For me, it was the gas pains after the surgery due to the gas pushed through during surgery. It lightened up by the third day. Of course you are in pain after surgery but the incisions didn't hurt. It mostly hurt to stand up or turn to the side. I equate the pain to when I had my gallbladder removed.

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

I go to a Barix Support group in Windsor. This is very important as these people will know exactly what I am going through. I have wonderful supports but here, I can discuss some things I am going through and others will understand because they will or are experiencing it.

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

I have 6 tiny scars on my stomach. They each range from one centimetre to one inch. I was very happy to hear I didn't have a large incision (due to healing time) and it was may second question (first was how did it go?) question after the surgery.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Not much yet, I just found some of the stages after the surgery difficult. It was hard to let someone take care of me and do the daily things that I usually do.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not the general public. People who know I have had the surgery ask how I am doing, how much I have lost, or can I eat certain things. I do feel some of these people watching what I eat. I feel some that some people who don't know I had the surgery question why I ate so little portion. I have said that I am diabetic (I am not) if I ask for something sugar free but that is mostly when going to a restaurant or grocery store. I have no problem telling people about the surgery, but I don't think everyone I come across needs to know it.