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

Several people at work had the surgery, some of them did well, some did not. I thought it would be a good option, but it took me a while to start doing my own research and coming to a decision.

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

I had to change insurance companies in order to have the surgery. I had to go to a center of bariatric excellence. the center that i went thru took care of everything, they were great- southwest Washington hospital.

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

My first meeting with the surgeon was actually going over the kinds of surgery that were avaialble and what the pros and cons were for my situation. normally there would be another session with the surgeon, but because i was so far from home, and they had a cancellation, i only had this visit b4 my surgery. i was informed and ready for the surgery, I pretty much had my mind made up & the dr. just helped cement my decision.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I am tired of being sick and tired, I also wanted to be healthy & off my meds. I want to be around to see my great great nieces grow up, and be around to have grandchildren. This is something that i needed to do for my self and not any one else.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

By having the bypass, i had a better chance of getting rid of diabetes faster, than if i had the lap band. i wanted to get healthy as fast as possible, so i chose the bypass.

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 confident in my decision, and my surgeon. Even though i only had one official meeting with the surgeon, i had a wonderful feeling about the whole program and everyone in it. they really put me thru my paces and made sure that everything was checked out & I was in the best possible health for the surgery. you need to be confident in your team.

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 was afraid to tell my dad, i wish i hadnt been afraid and just told him. He reacted very well, i was afraid he was going to be critical,and think i was taking the easy way out. On the other hand my brother in law was the one that gave me the most grief. I had to remind my self that this is for me and if they didnt like it too bad, yes his comments still hurt, but i was doing this for me and no one else.

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

My supervisor and co workers were very supportive, and i did tell them because i was having to take time off to go have tests done. I will be out of work about 8 weeks. Longer than most, because i had to have a lap nissen undone and then the bypass done all at the same time.

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

I was in the hospital 5 days. My stay was good, I had a private room, and my husband was able to stay with me. I am really glad he was able to stay with me. I thought that i would be able to do some hand sewing, but i just didnt feel up to it. reading and doing a word puzzles was about all i could handle. Make sure you have your slippers, and if you have a cpap machine bring it and use it.

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

I did not have any complications from surgery.

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 excited and couldnt hardly belive that it was happening. i only had 9 days from the time I saw the surgeon to the date of my surgery. I am glad it wasnt any more than that. It happened so fast, that I didnt get a "last supper" which i think was a good thing for me. I dont know how i handled the anxiety, i just kept going one day at a time.

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

I was very tired and didnt want to move. I just wanted to sleep, and thank goodness my husband wouldnt let me just lay around. I needed pain meds more than i thought i would, i tried not to take them, but got in trouble from my family, if you hurt you cant heal, so take them as you need them. Getting up and getting moving is still hard, so is trying to get the protein in that you need and the fluids you need. It will take a while to get into a routine, just keep trying until you find something that works for you.

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

I traveled 250 miles one way for surgery. The surgeons were wonderful and i had some appointments via phone and others i traveled for the appointment.

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 came home on full liquid diet, i then went to puree foods, i didnt stay on that for very long, i couldnt handle the consistancy of the foods, i went to soft foods and that is where i am at the moment. i am able to eat most anything as long as i take my time and chew, chew chew. didnt know you had to chew cottage cheese. Now at 6 months out, the Dr, has said there are no restrictions, other than to stay away from breads- they usually dont work out too well. He said I can try to eat what I want and to listen to my pouch and what it is telling me.- dont ignore the tool that I was given.

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

My activity level changes from day to day, some days i am just fine and can do quit a bit others all i want to do is sleep all day, and not move.

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

calcium citrate 600 mg twice a day, vit b12 500 mcg twice a day, vit b complex 1 time a day, chewable multivitamin 2 times 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 have started the hair loss, it starteed in the 3rd - 4 th month after surgery. I had not been getting all my iron in, so i have made that a priority, I have also started to take Hair and Nail complex from Nutrilite. Both seem to be working. My only real fear is that my hair wont grow back, as when i had a rapid weight loss before my hair fell out at the temples and has still not grown back in. and that has been over 10 years.

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

I really had to think about this, and I think the hair loss has effected me the most. well, also trying to relearn how to deal with life and the way i communicate and show feelings, I have actually stood up for my self instead of just turning the other cheek and letting people " beat me up" that has been the hardest thing so far.

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

oh site, my family. I wish i had someone that i could talk to in person, that has or is going thru the same thing as i am.

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

i have several small scars, as my surgery was done laproscopic. they seem to be heeling well, except the one that had the drain in it, seems to be taking longer. being as i had laproscopic surgery before, i expected this. still seems weird to look at my stomach and see them.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I hit a plateau in November that lasted about the whole month. not sure why it started or why it stopped, but it lasted about 3 weeks, maybe 4.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I don't know if they are treating me different or am I acting different. I know I am not as self conscious of my size as I once was.