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

The first serious look I took at bariatric surgery was at a doctor's appointment in the fall of 2009. I had just changed primary doctors because the one I went to NEVER even mentioned my weight, even though I was 180 lbs overweight and had began to experience health problems. After my first check-up with my new doctor, he promptly recommended bariatric surgery due to how long I'd been overweight, how much, and how I had failed at other attempts to lose weight. It was like a light bulb going off in my head - perhaps this would finally be the tool that would help me be successful with my life-long struggle!

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

The first time I contacted the surgeon my doctor recommended, I was told that they did not accept my insurance. After doing some investigation, I found out that the closest hospital that I could get bariatric surgery at was in another state, several hours away. At that time, it seemed impossible for that to work, as I was a single mom, so I just dropped it. A year later, I was remarried and got put on my husband's insurance. All of a sudden, surgery was a possibility again! The surgeon I wanted accepted my new insurance, and he had many years of experience with getting this approved. The only bump in the road was that our insurance company changed some of their requirements for approval on Jan 1st, 2011,and those changes included the need to have 3 months of documented doctor's supervised weight loss. I had not done this, so I found someone to see for the next 3 months. Once that was completed, this doctor wrote a letter recommending the surgery, I got a psychological evaluation, and my surgeon took these two items and submitted them to ins along with his own letter. I was approved less than 10 days later!

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

My first visit with my surgeon involved being weighed, of course, and then a general check-up. He asked a lot of questions about my family health history, so make sure you are aware of your family's health history. I watched a video that explained how the surgery worked. My doctor showed me before-and-after pictures of some of his patients, then took a before pic of me.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I realized that I was gaining weight at an alarming rate, and had gone from just being a "big girl" to truly obese. I was beginning to feel more effects, such as high blood pressure, swollen feet and ankles, and no stamina. I felt I was dying a slow death if I didn't do something drastic!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The surgeon recommended to me only does one type - the VBG - and has been doing it for 30 years. I personally knew 3 people who had this surgery by this doctor, and their results were fantastic.

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 have a book about weight loss surgery that helped alleviate a lot of my fears. I was pretty healthy before the surgery, and the book said that usually if someone dies from this surgery, it is due to the fact that they already had a lot of complications from their other health problems.

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 and most friends were very excited for me! It was really helpful that my boss had had the same surgery from the same doctor years before - she was so supportive! I did have one friend who reacted very negatively, but I just figured it was her problem, not mine. So far, two weeks post-surgery, I haven't had anyone show anything but support.

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

My manager had the same surgery by the same doctor years before! I was not even aware of this when I began the process of deciding to have the surgery, so it was really great to have her support when I told her about it. I will be returning to work next week, which will be 3 weeks post-op.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

I never attended any kind of seminar.

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

I checked in on Monday morning, and left on Thursday afternoon. The first two days were a blur due to the pain medicine, but the 3rd day was a bit harder. I thought I would want my own pillow and blanket, but it didn't really matter - they made me comfortable. I was glad I brought a comb for my hair!

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

So far, I have had no 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 was really excited! I was counting down the days. I read my book about weight loss surgery to calm down and to answer questions I had about what to expect.

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

When I first came home, I was surprised at how much it hurt! I still needed pain medicine and was very weak, so it was wonderful to have my parents and sister come and buy some groceries and be with me. After they left, it was hard, because life went on for my husband and kids, and I felt like I really didn't have anyone helping me.

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

I had my surgery right in the same city that I live in, so it was very convenient.

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 am only two weeks post-op, so I am still learning what I can and cannot tolerate. The three things I have found so far that do NOT go down well are soft tortillas, ground beef, and hot dogs. Smoothies and shakes go down very easy.

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

The first five days after coming home from the hospital, I mainly stayed on my couch, alternating from a sitting up position to a lying down position. I would get up several times throughout the day and walk through the house, just to get myself moving. After my first visit to the surgeon post-op, he removed the support braces that were sutured across my stomach, and this made movement much more comfortable. I was able to shower again at this point.

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

I am taking one chewable multivitamin a day.

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, the only side effect I have experienced has been the really uncomfortable pain when I either eat too much, eat too fast, or get something "caught" that doesn't want to go down. I found that if I stand up and walk, it will eventually ease. I haven't thrown up at all.

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

I think the worst part for me was the first week home from the hospital. I was in pain, and I really didn't have anyone helping me, other than my husband helping to bathe me and wash my hair. No one fixed food for me, my kids were fending for themselves, my husband was working lots of hours and then just coming home and fixing himself a sandwich - I felt guilty and neglected at the same time.

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

I do not have any kind of aftercare support program or group, unfortunately. I do have a couple of people who have been through the same surgery who are available to talk to.

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

I had 24 staples down my abdomen, so it is about a 12-inch long pink scar. I wasn't prepared for how long it would be.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am only 2 weeks postop, but I have had to stop myself from weighing every day as the pounds are fluctuating a bit and making me stress over whether it is working or not!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet - too soon.