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

I had an infectious disease doctor mention to me that I was a good candidate for bariatric surgery, and from that point on , I did a lot of research.. mostly from this site. I was initially scared outta of my wits to have this surgery, but knew that the way things were going, I wasnt going to live very long without doing something drastic to change my life and lifestyle. I was told to lose weight rapidly or expect to be on a liver transplant list within 5 years due to my diseased liver.. also enlarged and fatty. I am happy to say, after losing about 215 or so pounds, that I no longer have a diseased liver.

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

The only problem I had getting approval for the surgery was getting the paperwork to the correct dept and person. Once we determined who to send my paperwork to, it was breeze. Make sure you know who and where to send your paperwork,especially if dealing with United Health Care.

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

He was an older man, and more like a grandfather than a surgeon. However, out of respect for this surgeon, I will not use his name, and it is not the surgeon listed as my surgeon on my profile. I had three surgeries within 14 months due to many life threatening complications.. The original surgeon , bless his soul, was just too aged to be doing surgeries in my opinion. I am so happy that I found Dr Oh, and he corrected my problems and gave me a life that I can be happy living.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was given the option of losing weight and improving my liver or being put on a liver transplant waiting list within 5 years. I didnt feel that I had any other choice but to have weight loss surgery .

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I didnt have to decide what procedure to have.. the original surgeon only performed the open RNY.. my insurance carrier decided for me on this.

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 did fear that I wouldnt survive the surgery due to the co morbidities that I had, and that my family and friends wouldnt understand. I, however, had to do this for me, not for my family, friends,etc, but for me, and me alone. I tell people all the time, I know that you are afraid for your life, but you are doing this surgery so that you can become healthy and live a longer , and happier life. Knowing that I was doing this for myself, I knew that if I didnt survive the surgery, I at least tried to make a difference and become healthier.

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 afraid for me to have the surgery . They were very much against the surgery, telling me that they loved me just like I was. What I wasnt able to convey to them at that time, it didnt matter that they loved me like I was, I didnt love me like I was.. didnt even like me.. in fact, hated the person that I had become.. I wanted to be like other normal people.. walk without shortness of breath, breathe normally, not have acid reflux, severe asthma, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis pain so severe that it limited my mobility. I would convey to my family and friends that I was having this surgery not to upset them, but to make myself healthier and also happier. I would ask them to be happy for me, no matter the outcome and to continue to live their lives if something happened and I didnt survive the surgery. My family is off and on supportive. I get most of my support from my local support groups and from my online support groups.

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

I wasnt employed at that 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 with the first surgery for 4 days. The most important thing to bring to the hospital is chap stick, and slippers. I had great care at the hospital. My second surgery wasnt as easy as the first, and I was in the hospital for 5 days, although I shoulda been for longer as I had pneumonia. Anyway , the nursing staff was great both times and took really good care of me. My third surgery was in a different state and hospital, and the care was excellent. I still say to bring chap stick and slippers.

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

I had many life threatening complications that resulted in two additional surgeries. I went back to the surgeon, and eventually sought additional medical opinions.

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 overwhelmed . I felt that I didnt have enough time to get everything done before my surgery date. I also fell a few weeks before my surgery and had to be on crutches, so that limited my ability to get things done.

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

The first few weeks at home are hard. YOu are losing weight rapidly and are recuperating from major surgery. YOu are mourning the loss of your best friend, food, and go through a tough depressive time. .. at least most of us do. You tire easily and need to take lots of rests.. but also need to take lots of walks as well. People should expect this to be hard, but they should also realize with time, that their bodies start adjusting, and their heads start adjusting, and with time, it does get better. The pain decreases, the food intake increases.. or I should say the choices increase, and the energy level returns. Just dont get too frustrated the first few weeks, give it some time, and it will get better.

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

For my third surgery, I traveled from Georgia to Washington State.. about 3000 miles. I get my labs done every 6 months at my primary care doc/s office and have her fax the results to the surgeon in Washington state. So far, this has worked out great.

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 clear liquid diet for the first 4 weeks, and then soft foods for two weeks. I could have anything clear, protein shakes after 5 days, and then baked potatos, cottage cheese, refried beans, chicken if moist, etc. The only foods that I am totally to avoid for ever, is milk and sugar. At almost 4 years post op, I can eat most foods now. I still have trouble with steak, unless it is rare, roast beef, and Chinese. I suppose that I will always have trouble with these, and also rice.

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

The first few days and weeks, I did a lot of walking. I tried to do some aquatic exercises over the next few months. I now walk daily and try to incorporate some weight bearing exercises each day.

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

I take a ton of vitamins, minerals and protein supplements since my surgery as I am very distal

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?

Nausea and vomiting persisted for the first year.. even caused me to go into malnutrition where I needed parenteral nutrition.. for those who dont know.. this is IV nutrition.. you are hooked up 23 hours per day to be fed through your veins.. not pleasant at all.

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

The early recuperative period.. the pain, nausea, depression, etc. But with time, this all gets better.

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

I belong to two local support groups. These are very important as they motivate me to stay on my program and to do the things that are necessary for me to stay healthy.

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

I have a long scar from my breastbone to below my navel. After 2 years.. the amount of time since my last surgery, my scar is almost not visible.. has faded much.. I pretty much expected to have a scar.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am currently on a plateau and have been for almost a year now. I may have reached the lowest weight , but I keep hoping to lose a few more pounds.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes.. I have men jumping to open doors for me. I have people treating me with respect and kindness that didnt exist when I was morbidly obese.