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

I found out from a new friend who had experienced it. My initial impression was skepticism. This friend had complications and I am not one that willingly goes in for surgery... so I said I would think about it for a year and try dieting within that year (even though I had tried MANY other diets over my lifetime)... and then reconsider WLS.

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 problems whatsover getting approved for the surgery... in fact, I was approved three times before I was finally able to have my surgery.

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

Which surgeon? The first doc meeting went okay... I had been warned that he could come across as arrogant, so that helped. However, because I posted on the AMOS site about him and how the consult went (and I even rated him an 8-9) he cancelled my surgery. On the second consult with another doc I felt skeptical about... well, our personalities clashed, so that didn't work out. Third time is a charm though, right? Everything went fine, I had my surgery with this doc and couldn't be happier with the results. How can people get the most out of their consults? Be prepared with questions, don't interrupt the doctor unless he says it's okay... talk with others who have had this doc find out what's okay and what's not okay to do (like the second doc didn't like interruptions and I don't think he likes it when his patients are very knowlegeable about the procedure). If I had known how ego sensitive the first doc was, I surely wouldn't have posted anything about him. Generally you can find out these kinds of things from others who have had the same doc. Oh yea... WRITE your questions down... because in the passion of the consult, you might forget half the things you wanted to ask.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had a second friend who had the surgery a couple years prior... she went from a size 26 (which is the size I was in at surgery time) to a size 7! And the day I found out she had been eating my favorite meal... the McDonald's All-American cheeseburger meal! I didn't think I would ever be able to eat that again. She said she couldn't eat all of it, but she could eat most of it by 2 years out. She also had made up a notebook about her surgery stuff and I was impressed by it. Then I started researching the surgery on AMOS and joined a few groups and finally made the decision that there was no way I could lose the weight on my own and keep it off. So... I decided to have the surgery.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I read about several, but decided that the "Gold Standard" RNY was the right one for me. I wish I could have had a medial, but my doc only does the proximal, so I have a proximal, but I am okay with that at this point. I've seen many other proximals lose the weight and keep it off.

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 don't think I had too many fears... I have a phobia of needles, so that was probably my biggest worry. I typed up some "affirmation" statements for the OR nurse to read to me as I was going under anesthsia and when coming out from under it, one of them said "You will not have any problems with any shots that you require after surgery." Must've worked... I didn't have any problems with them! As far as dying goes... one of my life mottos is "God isn't going to get me until He wants me"... so why worry. If I worried about dying I wouldn't be able to have half as much fun in life! I did write up a "last letter of instruction" and I did write letters of good-bye to my family members, so I was prepared in case I were to have died... and if I died... I *knew* where I was going!

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?

Most of my friends were skeptical, especially those that were relatively unfamiliar with the surgery and the changes over the last 10 years. Once they realized that I understood what I was getting myself in for, all but one was supportive. And she was supportive too... but I could never convince her it was the right thing for me to do. I think she was worried about the potential risks and she kept reassuring me that she loved me just the way I was. I don't think I would have communicated anything differently now... I was happy with the way I talked to people about my upcoming surgery (prepared!). Everyone has been very supportive after surgery.

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

My co-workers were all supportive. The head boss was a little skeptical and then found out that someone he knew in another city had the surgery and when he saw how well they were doing, he was all for it! My immediate supervisor was probably about the last one for me to tell, but he is a computer programmer, so he is one of those people who are kind of aloof. They all knew I was going out for gastric bypass surgery and all were supportive. I was out of work for about three weeks.

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

The hospital stay was fine... although since I was doing so well, I think the nurses slacked on their duties quite a bit. I asked to keep my door shut the third night there and no one came in all night to check on me (I am a light sleeper). I had my surgery on a Weds and got out Saturday. The most important things to bring with you to the hospital are: 1) An advocate if possible, 2) Chapstick, 3) a journal (just don't let them put your IV in your dominant hand) and 4) a pen.

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

Absolutely no complications!!! <grin>

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

There was about a week or two there when I felt a little weak, I think it was from not getting enough nutrients and protein in me for a week or two after surgery. Once I was able to start getting my protein and nutrients in my energy rebounded! I did feel a little anxious about eating solids for the first time (my doc has you on liquids for three weeks, and then pureeds for three weeks before starting solids)... but I belong to a wonderful support group in town and then a couple email groups so I would process my worries and feelings with them.

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

I was anxious to get home (I flew out of state for my surgery). I was surprised at how well I was recovering (I had a lap), I went to a shopping mall for about 4 hours, a week after my surgery. I guess different people experience different things, people just need to be prepared for everything, and expect the worst maybe, so that when things are better, they will be happy. Expect some weakness until you get your protein and supplements going... your body needs good fuel to run on, so if you let it run down after surgery, it isn't going to benefit you.

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

I traveled from North Pole, Alaska to Fountain Valley, California. It hasn't affected my aftercare at all. I can call the doctor's office anytime I want, and I have a local PCP up here that is becoming very knowlegeable about WLS. I have done my follow-up appts with her and I keep track of important information (for example, I got copies of my lab work when it was done, so I would have my own copies).

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 was on a full liquid diet for three weeks after the surgery, (which included Sugar Free (SF) pudding, SF jello, Cream of Wheat cereal, mashed potatoes... etc), then I went to pureed and what I didn't put in the blender, I chewed the heck out of! I only threw up two times around the six-week mark (learning to eat solids), both times it was with chicken that I hadn't chewed well enough. I have "dumped" once from eating 2 chocolate chip cookies at once (one is my limit!). Other than that, I can eat *anything*, but with some things (especially chinese food) I have to limit (moreso than normal) my portion size. I do try to keep the sugar grams relatively low and also try to limit my milk intake.

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

For the first couple weeks it was fine, but then as my system started using up the energy/nutrient stores it had built up, I started feeling weak and tired. Once I started increasing my protein intake (through protein drinks) and could start my vitamin supplements, I did fine.

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

I take a multi-vitamin twice a day, I take 65mg of elemental iron 3X a day, I take Vitamin C three times a day (with the iron) and I try to take Calcium Citrate (2 at a time) at least a couple times a day. Other than that, I take zinc, vitamin A&D, and Vitamin E (all dry) once 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 didn't have any side effects... no nausea, only threw up twice, knew why that happened, didn't lose any hair... I was one of the fortunate ones (knock on wood) and I pray that I don't have any complications in the future (because you can still have problems, like a stricture, probably at anytime in the future).

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

For me, it was getting my first surgery cancelled when I was at the hospital with my gown and bracelet on, waiting for surgery.

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

I facilitate a local support group and truly believe in the importance of them, even if they are just there for moral support. I think that belonging to a support group can save your life... because if something is going on, you have someone to talk to about it, in case you are reluctant to call your doctor. I also participate in about three on-line e-groups that have been a blessing to me. I can ask questions from a larger network of post-ops (and nurses and such) and get needed answers. It's wonderful!

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

I have five tiny incisions. I had asked for a "lap" going in, but knew that there was a chance I could end up with an "open." I got the best of everything... no post-op leak test (my doc does them while you are out), no drain tubes... and a lap! What could be better?

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I've had a couple plateaus and keep reminding myself that my body needs time to adjust to the weight losses. I know that when I want to be under a certain weight by such and such a time, it doesn't happen. So... I try to be careful about predicting my weight losses. I am horrible about weighing daily... in fact, I have 2 scales and weigh on both. But as long as they don't control my moods, I am okay with them. Once the scale determines my mood, I will give them up. I *am* looking forward to a long trip coming up because I know I won't be able to weigh during that time (I will be out of the country)... it will be neat to come back home and see how much I have lost after my trip!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

For the most part, no. Other than those who know I have had surgery keep telling me how skinny I am looking (and I am still over 200, but look like I only weigh 150!). A neat thing happened the other day though, I work with teenage girls and not all of them know that I used to be 70 pounds heavier, and the other day a couple of them asked me to join in a 3 on 3 basketball game with them (something I am *sure* they wouldn't have asked me to do 70 pounds ago!).