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

Throughtout my nursing career I met with people who have had various weight loss surgeries throughtout the years. Then in 2002 I worked on a med/surg unit that the bariatric patients stayed for 3 days after surgery. I started researching the different surgeries and options both for myself and to help my patients. I felt that the patients that had a great deal of preparation and education before surgery did very well opposed to the patients that thought that the surgery would cure all. They ususally failed or had some complications because they could not compliant with their post op care

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

I met with my primary care physician and Gynecologist who in the past had both help me to lose weight. The my Orthopediac physician was talking about a total knee replacement! He would only do the surgery if I lost 75 pounds. He recomended I talk to someone about weight loss surgery. I had letters from all my physicians to sent to my insurance. I knew that they had covered other nurses that I work with in the past, so I didn't have any problems.

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

I had an advantage, because I worked with the surgeon and his patients. He was very professional and caring and made me feel a ease. He took the time to answer all my questions

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Looking at a total knee replacement because I was in so much pain. I knew that I would be a healthier person when I lost the extra weight I was carrying.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The surgeon recommended the open rou-n-y which he had performed many for years. I went with that because he was an expert. The laproscopic surgery made me nervous.

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 basically a healthy person going into surgery, no diabetes or heart disease. I had fears a forming a hernia from the 7 inch incision. I put my trust in God that it was not my time to die so I didn't have that fear going into surgery. I celebrated on day 4 when I had my first bowel movement after surgery. When perple ask me if I would go through the surgery again I say YES. I did not have any complications and it wasn't really that painful. But as a nurse I know that everyone doesn't respond the same way. I am truthful about the possible complications with people when they ask.

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?

My mother was very nervous because as a nurse in the 70's so saw many people after weight loss surgery have terrible diarrhea and die. Many of my friends said, "You're not that overweight to go through that surgery" Now everyone tells me how good I look and how skinny I am. I guess they didn't want to tell me how fat I was back then

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

My nurse manager was very supportative, due to the fact that many other nurses in the hospital have benn there done that. I took off 8 weeks because I can't return to work with any lifting restrictions. I had my surgery in January when it worked for the unit, so that wasn't a hardship. I was really feeling good at 5-6 weeks, so I went to visit my niece in sunny California to recover there!

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

My stay at the hospital went very smoothly. You must bring your own pillows for your comfort. It was also helpful that my mother stayed the night. A couple of time I became tangled in my oxygen, pulse oximeter and IV tubing. Many times when I needed something it was easier to have someone in the room. That was just the first night, after that I was up and about by myself.

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?

I was very prepared before my surgery. I think that helped alot to prepare for what lied ahead

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

I kept a log of my food, protein and water intake. I also kept a record of my medications. When I started to exercise I kept a log of that too. I was fortunate I didn't have to come home to take care of other people, I could just concentrate on me and my care.

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

The hospital is 30 miles, aftercare was no problem

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.

My surgeon started me off in the hospital with a strained pureed diet. At first I took in 30 cc every hours. Before surgery I cooked a turkey breast, pureed with chicken broth, and froze it in an ice cube tray to get my ounce serving. I did the same with a beef roast. I bought baby fruit and vegetables to complete my diet. I stayed on this for the first 4 weeks. Then I was able to eat 2-3 ounces at a time. Rice, chicken breast and noodles were difficult for many months. To this day I still don't eat rice. I don't tolerate fried foods or high sugar foods. I guess that's a good thing.

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

I was out of bed 6 hours post-op. The next day I sat in the chair more than I was in bed. I walked around the house at first, when the weather was better I was out walking in my neighborhood. By 4 weeks I was riding my stationary bike and walking more in my neighborhood. I liked it when my neighbors noticed my new body.

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

I take my supplement twice a day due to the limited absroption. 1-multi vitamin twice daily Calcium with Vitamin D twice daily Vitamin C twice daily Vitamin B12 once folic acid once Magnesium once He put me on Actigal for 6 months to prevent me from forming gall stones, because I still had my gall bladder

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 had very little hair loss, my hair growth did slow down, I was very religious about taking my protein supplements. I did get nauseated when I ate too fast or too much. The further away from surgery the less dumping I did. I don't like to vomit, so you learn what you can eat. So you learn what your baody can tolerate.

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

The day before surgery, the bowel prep. I was so dehydrated the next day that it took 5 tried to get my IV started

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

The hospital had a support group that met monthly. I found this very helpful both before and after surgery. I recoment everyone thinking about the surgery to learn as much ahead as they can. This web site was very helpful too, I recommend it all the time

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

I tend to develop a hypertrophic scar. At first it was very noticable, but now it looks pretty good.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I guess I'm in a plateau situation right now. I haven't been exercising as often as I should. I know now that the last 25 pounds are my responsibility to loose with my exercise program

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I get more looks and I'm back playing sports. My knees don't hurt at all, I'll hold off on my knee surgery. My orthopedic surgeon hardly recognized me!