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

Friends and family members. Scary and totally against it. My sister was approved due to the fact that I had Diabetes. All other friends were between 250-300 lbs. I did not think I would get approved. I think having the other medical problems was in my favor in getting the surgery approved.

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

I think I was extremely lucky. I met with my surgeon once. My primary was totally against it but he did give me the letter at my insistance. Letter sent at the beginning of March and I was approved within 2 wks. Surgery scheduled for April 14th. My advice is to get all of your information ready right at the beginning. Send them everything you have detailing the attempts at weight loss. Be persistant even if you get discouraged. Be nice to your Dr.'s office staff, they will help you more in getting all the information needed.

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

Very short meeting since I had gone through the process with my cousin. I still went prepared with a list of questions. Research before speaking to your Dr. Ask everything and anything. My surgeon was very firm on exercise prior to surgery. I did not have to lose any weight due to being borderline but I did have to exercise 1 hr per day, all 7 days.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

After trying to lose weight again with the help of diet pills (Meridia), 800 cal diet and exercise for 5x/wk. This was the same pattern from previous years. I would lose some weight then go back to a "normal" lifestyle and put more weight on. I was getting older and time was not on my side.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted the lap RNY but the nearest Dr. doing this procedure was in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. I did not want the scar but had to go for a Dr. in my town. I figured I would take care of the scar later on.

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?

Less afraid after going through the process with my cousin. She went through it all with no complications. I did have friends who did have major complications. One had the tube in for 6 months since liquids were not getting down her throat. Another still had complications after 4 yrs, 2 surgeries and 4 endoscopies later. I would advice a lot of research. I was also lucky by having approx. 8 co-workers who had the surgery. I ask them questions all the time.

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 family was supportive since they had gone through it with my cousin and sister. I think it would have been worse for me without them. They had all the negative comments made to them, they had to face the fears first and deal with the family. I think communication depends on the nature of your family. You decide who will support you and have them learn all they can about the procedure.

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

I did not tell my supervisor what type of surgery I was having. I was out of work for 4 weeks.

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

This was awful. I had to keep the nose catheter in for 3 days. Most uncomfortable thing. Had to have respiratory treatments with that still in. My day nurses were not attentive. The night nurse tried to have me swallow tylenol. They gave me a sugar-filled diet of liquids on the 3rd day when I am a diabetic. My saline needle came out and I bled for over 25 minutes with no help. The lowly techs helped out more. I was there for 4 days. The most Important thing to bring is a person to help you out. Then your personal items, toothbrush, paste, baby wipes, undies, robe.

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

Yes. I had to keep the nose catheter in for 3 days. Most uncomfortable thing. Had to have respiratory treatments with that still in. Pulling it out, I saw stars. But you make do. I walked the halls all the time. I learned how to get out of bed by myself, attach all the lines to the saline pole and get going. It always made me feel a little better. No matter what pace you are at, walk. It helps with all the complications.

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 better once I was home. Every day brought an improvement. Walking helped. Hot water was and is the cure all for when my tummy felt upset. I had anxiety about what to eat, what would make me feel sick and throw up. I just went slowly and tried different things.

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

Less pain as you go along. Took myself off the pain medication as soon as possible. I was off all the diabetes medication by the seventh day after surgery. That was terrific. Sleep was very difficult. I had a firm bed and a larger leather chair which I switched between. Sleep as much as you can and walk. Make sure to have something to entertain yourself with. TV gets old quickly. I read a lot of books and rented movies. Boredom was a problem.

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

12 miles. Not far at all. Near Dr.'s office also.

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 remained on a liquid diet for one week post op. Then 2nd wk, slowly introduced soups which I blended. Had some sugar free Jello and popsicles. 3rd week, added some mashed potatoes, soup with soft noodles, saltines, instant grits and cream of wheat. 4th week, you could start on solids but I did this extremely slower than others. I could not tolerate eggs and still can't. Milk products are not good for me at all. I did not try harder meats until my 3rd month. Chicken is difficult. Grouper swells up too fast and makes me feel like it is all just sitting there. Other fishes were fine. Shrimp was good as long as I chewed really really well. Tuna is still a problem though. Pork is definitely out. Steak takes a long time but needs to be chewed. Cottage cheese is good, as long as 1% milk or less. Other cheeses were good. Spinach and cheese is a favorite. Still have hard time with other vegatables. Beans are good but I do not eat them much due to gaseous nature. I have not tried anything with large amounts of sugar. 2 tsps in my coffee is okay. More and I feel very ill. I still do not eat much pasta (only soup noodles), rice, Chinese with sauces (too much someting), bread, or other types of carbs. I stopped with the mashed potatoes in the 4th week. Gatorade is good. I started taking the multi-vitamin and calcium 2nd week. Bought a pill crusher. Stopped with the grits and cream of wheat during 4th month. Too easy to eat and not do the protein part. Found EAS protein shakes with 1g of sugar. Taste is okay. Boost, Ensure and Slim-Fast were too high in sugar.

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

Everyday I walked a little longer. I walked 1 hr per day. Started out at 2.6 pace then back up to 3.6-3.9 pace which meant 2 miles in 45 minutes. I joined a gym my 4th month out due to heat and hitting the plateau. Started with weight training to make sure less flab. Arms, abs and legs. I do not want plastic surgery if I can help it.

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

2 prenatals daily and 2 chewable Tums (also heard Viactiv was ok). Tried protein supplements but taste disgusting. Have to continue to look for better tasting ones.

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?

The sleeping improves, nausea goes away with hot water, vomiting you have to live through. The hardest is hair loss since I am experiencing it right now. The prenatals were great with my nails and skin but still have lots of hair loss. The hair loss got worse in month 4 and continues. I use Nioxin products daily. I just hope that it starts to grow back soon.

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

The hospital was the worst part for me. The scar is not great either.

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

I have only gone to one support meeting with my surgeon's group. I think this is very important. It allows you to meet others face to face and listen to questions and answers you may never have thought of. The support is necessary. I really feel it is very important to the success.

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

My scar is half flat and half keloid(raised). I will be checking into lasering if off or making smaller with a dermotologist once I lose all of my weight. It is also right under my breastbone. I expected it to be slightly smaller and of course, totally flat. If I can't get rid of it, then I will get a tattoo over it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am on a plateau right now,8weeks. I started out at 193 lbs, lost 33 lbs in the first 6 wks. I have stopped losing. I know I do not get enough protein or drink enough water yet. My body has also changed with the bowel movement routine. I am not regular, I think this is part of the problem. I am still trying to change this but I have not found the trigger. My dr. says that it will break but nothing I try has made me start losing.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet. Everyone comments on my losing weight but I still think there is more to come. I will let you know when I reach goal of 110 lbs.