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

My aunt had it done in 1999, then my sister-in-law in 2002. Their success convinced me that I too needed to do this.

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

Very easy. I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield. As long as you take care of all their requirements up front, the approval comes in two weeks, and is good for a year.

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

Dr. Schwartz was very matter-of-fact, and strict with pre-op instructions. He was very patient with my questions and answered them all to my satisfaction.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The Camp Snoopy embarrassing experience.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I didn't want my whole belly opened up because I wanted to get back to work ASAP. I fought for lap, knowing that complications during the procedure may warrant opening up, but as luck (and the surgeon's skill) would have it -- I ended up with Roux N Y lap -- and was back to work within a week!

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 ignored the dying, knowing full well it could happen. But I did my homework when I chose my surgeon -- looked at his complication/death rates, years doing the procedure (the first in Minnesota), and obviously his LONG waiting list, plus the input from OR nurses and other health care practitioners.

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?

Some of my friends were against it, due to complications and the drastic measure they felt it was. My family, however, were behind me 100%

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

My supervisor is the one who advised me to cancel the first surgeon I had chosen (she is a former OR nurse), due to his complication rates and his loss of priviledges at certain hospitals. Best decision I ever made. My company has been very supportive and I was fully covered under short-term disability for 1 week, though I could have stayed out longer. I chose not to. I wanted to get back to work.

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

My hospital was phenomenal! Only 1 night for laparoscopic. The staff was knowledgeable about the procedure and very responsive. My Nursing Assistants were the absolute best -- always there to assist and care. I really didn't need to bring anything. They had enough printed information regarding the procedure to keep you busy reading without your favorite book. Just bring phone numbers of your friends and family to call!

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

None

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

My original surgery date was April 13, which they gave me in late january. I was very disappointed it was so late into spring -- right in the middle of my high travel work time. however, I was placed on a cancellation waiting list, so when I received my telephone call on Thursday afternoon, February 19, asking if I could take a 7:30 a.m. surgery slot for Monday, February 23, I wasted no time in getting all the required pre-surgical physicals, ultrasounds, etc. done on Friday. I only had the weekend to prepare mentally, but in hindsight, it was a good thing -- I didn't have time to get nervous or anxious. My only anxiety was missing the foods I loved, but now after surgery, I really don't miss them.

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

My first week I took advantage of sleep. Anesthesia really takes your energy out of you. I talked alot on the telephone to my friends and family. The second week I went back to work. As I didn't tell everyone at work what surgery I was having, those who did know where very supportive and were concerned about how I was feeling, expressing how amazed they were at how good I looked for just having major surgery, etc. Those I did NOT tell about the bypass, they just think I had gallbladder surgery, and really haven't asked alot of questions, but again expressed how great I looked after only 1 week. My second week is about the same, and now that I've lost 15 pounds, it's just starting to show.

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

My hospital is in my living area, so it wasn't far. It just happens to be in a bad part of town, but its reputation superceded that concern.

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.

So far I haven't found anything I haven't agreed with over these two weeks post-op. In fact, I have had a salt craving, so I tried a Natural White Cheddar Cheeto -- let it melt in my mouth to mush, then swallowed. I allow myself two or 3, then I am satisfied. And not every day. I stay away from refined sugar -- I'm not a sweets liking person anyway, so I haven't had any issues with dumping.

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

At one week I walked the Mall of America in the Annual American Heart Walk! My co-worders were amazed. Though I didn't keep up with them and took my time to walk the 3 levels. I then began my treadmill and at two weeks post-op I am up to 16 minutes, 3-4 times per week.

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

I take a childrens chewable multivitamin daily. My granddaughter and I take them together and she gets a kick out of it!

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 only have had nausia once since surgery, and that was on day 3 post-op. I haven't a clue why, and the only thing coming up (not violently, thank goodness!) was stomach acid. Otherwise, at two plus weeks, I'm fine. No hair loss yet, but my hairdresser told me to buy Nioxin Shampoo, Conditioner, and scalp treatment and start using it now. I went to the beauty supply store, explained I had gastric bypass and because of the protein loss, I may loose my hair, and would the Nioxin help combat this. They agreed wholeheartedly that this was the best product. We'll see if it works. It's expensive -- the 3 products cost me $80. I have great hair, so I feel it was worth the expense.

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

Almost not having surgery the morning of, because my potassium was low -- 3.1. My surgeon was ready to cancel me, but the Anesthesiologist convinced him that he could put me on a drip for 30 minutes and it should be fine. We were only 30-45 minutes late for my original scheduled time and all went very well. Then I didn't like the cotton mouth you get post-op, but that goes away, and it's normal.

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

None right now, but that doesn't mean I won't. The one for my surgeon only meets on Tuesday evenings, and I have a committment 3 Tuesdays a month.

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

I have 6 little scars since I had laparoscopic gastric bypass. The scar I hate the most and wasn't prepared for it was the one on my right thigh where the surgeon took a piece of fascia to use to tie up some of my insides. I only found out that would happen the morning of surgery. There are a couple of red spots on my thigh scar that look a little infected, but I work with skin health specialists and they advised I use a capsule of Vitamin E then Triple Antibiotic cream, covered with a long steri-strip. The treatment seems to be working. It's the sorest scar I have. The belly scars are minimal.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None to date

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet.