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

A few years ago I monitored an AOL weight loss message board and several folks who posted there lost lots of weight with WLS. Initally because I didn't have a clue about what it all involved I thought they took the "easy way" but now after researching WLS I realize there is nothing easy about the surgery or the maintence afterward.

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

Hubby is in the Army so we have Tricare Prime... 1) Get a referral from your Primary Care Manager for WLS 2) Go to the Specialty Referrals Office {in military hospital}to get the information on the referral {they will tell you #3 or #4} 3) If the military hospital has a surgeon who preforms the surgery and they have room for you. You will have the surgery in the military hospital if you qualify. They will give you the contact information. 4) If the military hospital cannot accomedate you, you will be referred out to a civillian surgeon. In 7 to 10 days you will receive the approval letter with approval number for the "off post": Doctor at that point they have their own qualifications}. REMEMBER: All of this is depends on if you qualify. To find out if you qualify initally call the surgery Dept in the militay hospital. They will give you basic qualifications. Once you have orientation in the military hospital they will give you a checklist to complete.

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

The more informed you have before meeting your surgeon the better prepared you are to ask questions. I know that sounds kinda silly but these surgeons only have so much time for your visit and I didn't want my visit to be wasted on answers to questions I could have found out easily by researching. Truthfully I think she may have taken me a little more serious because I did research it.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I finally had had enough of the way I was living. Constantly dieting, regaining, dieting, regaining, dieting and regaining. Then feeling guilty for regaining or cheating and starting all over again. Then the last few years I developed diabetes, acid reflux, high blood pressure, ostearthritis and degenerate joint disease.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Ha... easy. The Army decided for me {smile} The Roux-en-Y surgery is the only one my military hospital {Womack} does and because I've had other surgeries was able to have the lap band but because of the scar tissue it took longer.

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?

Ok... this is going to sound super vain but... the hair loss scared me. I've been told just keep your protein up and also a nutritionist told me that Biotin can help with that. {Biotin is a over the counteer vitiamin that helps with hair and nails} I'm 3 1/2 months out and other than a few strands :::knocking on wood:::: no real hair loss.

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?

The little bit of family I told is totally supportive. They are a little concerned because after all it is surgery, however they are all for it. I'm very lucky it's been a positive experience for me.

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

I volunteer in the hospital that I had the surgery in soooo I had to tell. The people I directly work with were/are supportive but there were a few that I ran into who turn their noses up at me for taking the "easy way" but it doesn't bother me because I know they were exactly like I was one time very uneducated about the whole process.

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

My stay in the hospital :::sigh::: The staff told me conflicting things to do, one nurse would tell me to walk the next would say don't because I would bleed when I walked in the begining. So it was hard getting mixed messages from the stay. I was in there for 3 days... Bring yourself and anything that makes you feel clean.

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

I left with an infection the staff didn't have a clue about but should have because of that on my first visit with my surgeon after my hospital stay she had to reopen one of my wounds it was 5 inches deep and had to be cleaned, packed and bandaged 2 x a day it took 3 months to heal.

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

WONDERFUL

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

Tough, as much as you are prepared once you come home it all becomes a bit overwhelming. Take a deep breath and know you are not alone.

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

About 20 minutes

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.

Dr perscribed diet until you tolerate reg foods

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

Not very good because I had an open wound on my waistband

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

Multivitamin, biotin, B12 & protein drink

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?

So far so good

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

Getting the infection it was 5 inches deep and had to be cleaned, packed and bandaged 2 x a day it took 3 months to heal. Oh and did I mention I'm allergic to the tape...

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

My bariatric Center has two support group meets one for pre-op and one for post-op but are very important in finding out information and a hand to hold.

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

Yes, small

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None yet

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Nope