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

My mom had it 30+ years ago, found my surgeon from my lung doctor.

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

My insurance approval was instant, no problem at all.

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

My first visit was awesome, he described the surgery in detail with charts and lists as well as had a dietician describe the diet immediately post-op and the forever diet. I felt very informed before I committed to surgery. My surgeon has a seminar for anyone looking to have surgery. It is about 3 hours long and it is a group thing. Then he has a class for people that are really serious, have attended the seminar and this is very informational and helpful. He committed to lifelong care before I even had the surgery. He also conducts a montly meeting for his patients and anyone who has had bariatric surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My weight and co-morbidities

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon only did the roux-n-Y at the time and that was fine with 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?

I thought I would die from my obesity so I didnt fear dying, I feared the pain of surgery. The pain was really not a big deal, it never was anything overwhelming. I was up and walking well within days, and even had the nurses scolding me for not using my PCA (morphine drip) enough. I had serious complications with my asthmatic lungs the first few days that caused me to have to stay in bed those days so maybe I missed the worst of it but really, the pain wasn't bad.

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?

They were very supportive before, during and after.

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

My employer was very supportive. I was out for 6 weeks mostly because of my lungs.

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

I was in for seven days because of complications in surgery that caused me to have to stay in ICU for longer. Bring one of those hard stuffed animals that help you cough- to hold onto when you have to do your coughing and deep-breathing. It helps more than holding on to a soft pillow. Also, bring a few pictures of loved ones, it helps to remember why you are doing this. Also, it might help to bring a pair of tongs with you to hold the toilet paper as it is very hard to wipe yourself after toileting. It is hard to twist and reach because of the incision and swelling.

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

Yes. My spleen was torn during surgery. I am very short(5-1) and it was hard for my surgeon to even find my stomach. When moving my spleen and attempting to remove some of the fat around it the fat peeled off my spleen causing it to tear. Because the spleen is basically just a depository for red blood cells I bled profusely, had to have a lot of blood during and after surgery and then had complications three weeks post-op from the blood that had pooled in my body cavity that wasn't removed during surgery. My left lung collapsed from the serous fluid that had formed in my abdominal cavity and around my lung. I had to have my lung doctor remove a liter and a half from around my lung, with a 12 inch special needle, drain the serous fluid out ( it looks a little like beer) and then "pop" my lung re-expanded. After that I was fine. It was an unavoidable complication but after that and I don't know if it is related, my surgeon then ( and now) required potential candidates to lose weight pre-op. It would have helped him do his job if I had lost some weight pre-op since I had so much fat packed into such a small space.

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 pretty good other than I had a collapsed lung. I was out walking, the pain was very tolerable and you can actually get along pretty well with only one lung. I was doing neb treatments thinking my lung issues were related to my asthma but as soon as it was diagnosed that I had a collapsed lung and was fixed, I was really fine. Then I really took off and lost weight very fast. I really had no anxiety. I was so happy to have finally done something permanent about my weight.

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

Expect pain, there is some pain but it is manageable. Expect to have to have someone help you wipe your butt after going to the bathroom. Especially if you are short like I am. Thank goodness for my daughter and hubby. That only lasts a week or so though and tongs help! It is just very hard to twist and reach around in those first weeks. That was the hardest thing for me. OH, and I slept in a recliner for three weeks with lots of pillows around me and under my legs. Very comfortable!

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

40 miles. It did not affect my after care.

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.

At first I could only eat pureed food. I mostly ate pureed vegies, mashed potatoes and a little pureed chicken. I drank lots of Isopure protein drink. I couldn't and still can't tolerate the protein drinks that are mixed with milk. I get dumping syndrome from those. I could eat jello, sugar-free but didn't even try any ice cream or pudding. I stuck wtih healthy foods, I wanted to and actually lost my cravings and taste for sweets right away. I also did not drink any carbonated beverages for the first six months then added diet pepsi to my diet. I wish I wouldn't have added that because the carb cravings came back almost immediately and my weight loss slowed dramatically then. After three years I am now off all diet pop and have again lost the carb cravings.

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

Because of my collapsed lung I wasn't very active in the first three weeks. I tried to walk around our farm but was too winded. After my lung was re-inflated I was much more active and was able to go for walks.

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

Daily I take a multi-vitamin, calcium with vitamin D, Omega 3, Biotin and then twice a week I take B-12 in pill form.

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?

Hair loss was a biggie! I have thin hair anyway and goind nearly bald in the front was hard but it came back pretty quickly. I would say that within about 8 months there was alot of new growth and it helped to add Biotin to my vitamin intake. Dumping is a problem that is so self-induced. Honestly, dumping makes me sleepy so sometimes I will intentionally eat something that I know will make me dump right before bed so I can get to sleep easier. Dumping makes me very sleepy, so sleepy I can't speak or open my eyes, nauseated and very very weak. One day about a year post-op I had worked in the garden for hours on a hot day, I came into the house, cleaned up quick and made myself a margarita with lots of ice and salt. I was so thirsty that I chugged it and oh, boy! It caused my stomach pouch and esophagus to cramp so badly that I doubled over in pain, I had dumping and couldn't speak or open my eyes. My husband and daughter kept trying to ask me what was wrong but I couldn't straighten up or even sit up and couldn't open my eyes or speak so they called an ambulance, even though I was alert in my mind and was trying so hard to tell them no, no I will be fine in minutes, wait, don't call. I was right, it passed in about 20 minutes to the point that I could sit up but not stand, could whisper but not open my eyes.I tried to call off the ambulance( we are in a rural area, it takes a while for them to get to us) but they were already in route to us. By the time the ambulance got to our house I was able to open my eyes, almost able to speak but couldn't stand. My husband and daughter dragged me outside and set me on the concrete step. The paramedics checked me over but I still couldn't hold my head up, barely could open my eyes and whisper so they wouldn't leave until they saw that I could stand and speak. We waited about another five minutes and then I was able to stand with help and could tell them I was fine. That it was dumping syndrome and drinking an icy alcoholic drink too fast. They were perplexed and somewhat amused but the point of my story is to say, let your family in on the signs and symptoms of dumping so that they don't call an ambulance every time you are unable to respond. Also, the medical field needs to know what the different signs and symptoms are of dumping.

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

Gaining weight after a year post-op. Dumping is also an issue but one that I can avoid. And also, only being able to eat a few bites when I am really really hungry. There is no satiation. I eat my 4-5 bites, want more but know I can't eat more or I will vomit, my mind is screaming that I am still hungry, my family wants me to sit there at the table with them but I can't. I have to get up and leave the table or I will eat more and then vomit. That is the worst and that is what I go to counseling for.

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

My bariatric surgeon has a montly program. I have added some, especially in the beginning. I have found that individual counseling is the best for me. I have really discovered alot about myself and my eating dynamics. Also, having friends that have had bariatric surgery helps.

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

My scar is thick and has some keloiding. I didn't expect it and am a little embarrased by it but it is tolerable.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I stopped losing weight as soon as I added diet pop to my diet. As soon as I added nutrasweet to my diet I started craving carbs, ate my first mini-snickers bar and haven't lost a pound since then (6 months post-op) and actually have gained 30 pounds.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, the general public is more respectful, fewer stares and looks of disgust. Men notice me more and make second glances or prolonged looks.