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

I'd heard about the surgery for years since I am a nurse. I knew it was high risk for many years. I also felt it was a radical solution. Now I see that it is the ONLY solution. I was afraid to have the surgery, but ultimately was more afraid not to have it.

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

Fortunately my insurance company approved me for surgery after the first letter from my M.D. I believe it was his ability to clearly outline the need coupled with my clear need! I had many of the co-morbidities (hypertension, sleep apnea, gastric reflux) required by most insurance companies for approval of WLS.

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

I first met my surgeon at an information session he presents for all new patients. It was then 5 months before I had an appointment with him as he was heavily booked. The best advice I could give someone considering surgery is to do a lot of reading, find a surgeon that seems trustworthy, and especially find out what preop tests the surgeon requires. My surgeon required an extensive preop workup that I believe is the key to preventing postop complications.n

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I'm not a religious person, but I have a belief in God. I was so tired of the weight loss battle that I'd given up entirely - or so I thought. One night I was alone, and I just began praying for an answer to this pain I felt as a fat, tired, sick human being. The next day, I received my People magazine in the mail and there on the cover was Al Roker, "coming out" about his weight loss surgery. I knew deep in my heart that this was the answer to my prayer, and from that day on I felt committed to having this surgery.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I read about all options. The ObesityHelp website was a great help. I was interested in the duodenal switch, but because it is newer and less tried, I decided on the roux-en-y gastric bypass. This decision was solidified after my first appointment with my surgeon.

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 afraid I might die during surgery. The morbidity rate for all abdominal surgeries is 1 in 100. That's a high risk. However, I knew that I was dying bit by bit in my morbidly obese body. I knew I couldn't stand living as I was, and I felt that I had to trust that I was not meant to die yet. I did the best I could to make my peace with myself and my loved ones about having the surgery, then I went ahead with what I knew I had to do. I'm grateful that I didn't die. I didn't want to die. And now that I've made it successfully through the surgery, I can finally really live.

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 friends were guardedly supportive. By that I mean that they feared for the success of the surgery, but knew I felt strongly committed to having it done. They knew how miserable I felt and how much I wanted to feel better. They have been great, really, through this whole thing. My partner, who was most afraid, has been by my side unfailingly and has been my biggest supporter.

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

I have the good fortune to have worked for a number of years for a great organization with good sick leave. I also have the good fortune to work for a friend. My managers all supported my decision. I had to be out frequently preop for various preop tests, then I was out 5 weeks postop. Although my manager has told me I may not be promoted as quickly because of this time out, I was otherwise supported to be away as long as necessary. And honestly, if I have to choose between promotion and health, I choose health!

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

The hospital stay was the worst part of this whole experience. Although I was in a well respected hospital at the Texas Medical Center, the care was poor and I was in a lot of pain and discomfort. I was in the hospital 2 nights and couldn't wait to go home. My partner stayed with me both nights, even though the floor had no accomodations for a person to stay overnight. We were both tired, sore and miserable at discharge. I actually wrote a letter to the hospital administrators detailing the care issues I experienced. Bring a good caregiver that can stay with you and be your advocate while you are in the hospital.

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

No, thankfully 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 felt bad for a couple of weeks, and cried and wondered if I'd made the wrong decision. I was sore and tired from surgery and I do believe anesthesia affects our emotions and physical beings. I talked a lot to my friends and lived daily on the ObesityHelp website to read the stories of others and draw strength from their successes.

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

During my first month postop I was weak, tired and felt like a stranger in a strange land. I was trying to get used to the changes in my body and I didn't know what exactly to expect. I had no hunger at all. I had to make myself take the ounce of food or fluid every 30 minutes as I had been instructed to do by my doctor. I had a lot of times that I felt emotional, missed being able to eat, questioned my decision to have surgery. But every day I grew stronger and felt better. Every day things became easier.

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

I was in Houston, my hometown.

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.

At first, my M. D. requires only clear liquids after surgery. Week two through four full liquids, then advancing to soft solids. He has patients take an ounce of food or fluid every 30 minutes while awake. That was a weird time, the whole day was about eating, but not in the way I was used to before surgery! After a month, I began eating more normally, slowly introducing more solid foods. My M.D. recommends no sugar or caffiene ever. I have to admit though that I've eaten small amounts of sugared foods and drank some iced tea. At first I experienced dumping (sweating, chills, diarrhea) after the least amount of sugar. I have had times of feeling anorexic, having no interest in food at all, which is very strange for me. Unfortunately, I can now tolerate sugar, and have had trouble abstaining from eating it now that the holidays are here (I am writing this 2 days before Christmas). I find that as time passes - I'm now 5 months postop - I can eat more at each meal and can tolerate more sweets. I worry about this as I was a terrible sweets addict preop and I do NOT want to defeat this surgery by eating the wrong foods.

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

Immediately postop I was a slug. I had a very low energy level for about the first month. Each month after I've begun feeling better and better. Just this week I danced for two hours straight at a Christmas party. I could NEVER have done that before surgery 5 months ago.

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

I take daily multivitamin, 4 calcium chews daily. At my 3 month checkup my iron levels were low, so my doctor added an iron supplement each day. That's it.

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 have had no nausea. I sleep now like a baby and am no longer having to use a CPAP machine for sleep apnea. I had one experience of dumping early on but not since. I have thrown up once, after I ate too much beef too quickly. I have the most trouble with feeling bad due to eating too quickly, a long term bad habit that I am trying to break. I am losing my hair right now, but it is only thinning and I hope it will come back.

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

Two things were the worst: 1. I had a preop stress test and had to be given medication to raise my heart rate during the exam. That was not fun. 2. The hospital experience I had was bad. This whole thing is not a walk in the park. It takes willingness to have medical procedures, stay committed to the course, and change your way of eating. Is it worth every thing? YES!

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

My surgeon has a once a month support group. I need to do better about taking advantage of this. I especially like the opportunity at the group to talk with those considering surgery. It keeps me grounded as to where I was preop.

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

I have 5 little "punch holes" from my laparoscopic bypass. I scar pretty easily, but these little marks are no big deal. At 52 I'm not worried about a few little scars.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None so far, but I'm only 5 months postop at this point.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. I get so many compliments every day. It sure feels good.