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

I first remember hearing about a Bariatric Center in California a few years back. I remember reading some of the patient's stories on their website and could not believe the transformations that were taking place. One lady had lost over 200 pounds, and I just sat in amazement reading her story. It took me over 4 years to finally get the courage up to do some actual research into the surgery itself.

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

Ah.. insurance approval! I have insurance through Federal Blue Cross/Blue Sheild, and they do not do approvals. Gastric bypass is a covered procedure if medically necessary, but you do not know if you will be approved until after you have had your surgery. I took a chance, and it paid off. I felt 95% certain that it would be covered, but I wasn't totally convinced until I started seeing the bills paid for.

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

At first I went to a group support meeting where the surgeon spoke at and answered questions. Then I went into an initial consultation meeting with myself, the surgeon, his nurses, and several other surgery candidates. At that point, the basics of the surgery were explained, and then I got to meet one-on-one with the surgeon to ask more direct questions. Ask your surgeon everything! Don't leave any stone unturned. If you have any questions/doubts, be sure to voice them immediately. Don't be afraid to ask anything!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When I had seen how many people who have successfully had the surgery and the results. I knew it was the answer that I had been looking for.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I went through a lot of research on the different weight loss surgeries that are out there. I decided on the open RNY because I felt that was the best option for me.

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 did have some fears, but they were minimal. I had a lot of complications at first, and I really didn't prepare myself for them. I don't know that anyone can prepare themselves for that. But I was very committed to seeing this through.. no matter what. It was difficult at first (at one point I wished that I had never had the surgery), but I managed to get through the rough times. It helps having support! My husband was extremely supportive of me.

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 husband was skeptical and scared about the surgery. My family was surprised, a little scared, but supported my decision. My husband was a Godsend during the surgeries and recovery period.

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

My supervisor was surprised at my decision, but he was supportive, as was all of my co-workers. He knew about the reason for my medical leave, as did my co-workers, and I was out of work for 6 weeks due to the second surgery.

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 was so-so. Prepare yourself to be woken up at all times of the day and night. I was in there for my first surgery a total of 4 days, then went back in the hospital later that night for an additional 12 days due to complications. Bring crossword puzzles or word find puzzles; a book to read; VERY COMFY clothes! (baggy shorts and a big shirt were fabulous!).

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

Yes, I did have complications. Before I left the hospital after my 1st surgery, I felt nauseated and threw up what tasted like bile. My husband called the nurse in and alerted her. I couldn't hold any of the liquids down, either. After walking around for a bit, the nausea faded and I was discharged and allowed to go home. During the drive home (2 hour drive), I could never get comfortable. But that was normal, I thought. After being home for a few hours, my stomach felt distended, like it was about to explode. I couldn't drink anything.. it wouldn't go down. After speaking with my doctor, it was decided that I probably had some sort of blockage and needed to get back to the hospital. I went in for my 2nd surgery the next day to fix the blockage. While in surgery, it was discovered that I had a leak at my new pouch site, too. I was in ICU for 3 days, and was in the hospital for another 9 days before I was released. I couldn't eat or drink anything until my 11th day of my hospital stay. My doctor explained to my husband, and then later to me, that when he created my new pouch, he attached the intestine to the stapled off portion of my stomach, rather than further down my intestine. So everything that I was drinking was going into my new pouch, then back over to my stapled off stomach. I think that I dealt with my complications very well. I was very cranky!! but I handled it as best as I could.

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 excited about my surgery date! I thought that it would never get here.

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

Oh man.. talk about exhausted! I was barely able to move. Getting into bed was a chore!! And then getting out of bed??!! Good GRIEF! I barely had enough energy to walk to another room. The liquid diet that I was on for a month was the pits.. I had absolutely no energy! I couldn't stand it. I couldn't take a shower or bath because my incision was open due to the 2nd surgery, and it had to be packed twice a day by visiting nurses. My hair felt yucky.. I couldn't shampoo it! I was crabby, tired, and generally ticked off at the whole world.

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

I traveled 2 hours for my surgery. I wish that I had done better research of surgeons in my area, because there was one just a half an hour away that has rave reviews. If you have complications, then remember that you have to go back to where your surgeon is. It was the pits having to go all the way back when I went to the emergency room. I went back for 2 follow-up visits, and I have not been back since.

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.

Oh boy.. that's a lot to remember! I had nothing but liquids for a month. Chicken broth, protein shakes, veggie soup broth. The liquid diet sucked! Talk about getting no energy.. it was tough. When I started with the soft foods, I had scrambled eggs, canned peaches and pears, jello, pasta. I was able to eat chicken, and then graduate to red meat by my 4th month. I still (one year post-op) eat small portions. I know that I eat more now than I did when I first had the procedure done, but I eat very tiny portions still. And it's great! That's what has helped me lose all the weight.

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

In the days after surgery, it was a chore just to walk from one room to the next. I'd try and keep my energy up by walking a lap or two in the house. But it was extremely difficult. I had terrible fatigue. It took about 8 weeks to feel good. I had trouble stepping up to a curb, that's how fatigued I was.

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

At first, I had to take Flinstone's chewables because of my pouch. Now I take women's One-A-Day and vitamin E every day. I also try and get in calcium tablets, too.

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 dumping was the worst for me. I always had trouble with the drinking before and after eating stuff. Man, that caused me GRIEF!! It went on for probably 4 months after the surgery.

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

The worst part was the complications from the first surgery. That just sapped any lit bit of energy that I had. I couldn't believe how tired I was after that hospital stay.

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

I haven't been to any support group meetings or programs.

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

My scar has healed nicely, given the fact that I had to let my incision heal openly. I think it took about 6 weeks before it closed up.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I started at 345 pounds. When I hit 280, it seemed like it took a couple of weeks before the scale moved. That scared me a little. Then again when I got down to 230, it took a while before the scale moved. I only weigh about once a week.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Oh definitely. I can't begin to describe it. I'm the same person on the inside, so why is it any different now that I'm thinner?