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

I knew it was an option for many years, but didn't like the drastic nature of the procedures. I also didn't want to have major "open" surgery. Last fall it occurred to me that if they can remove a gallbladder via lap approach, that maybe they could do bariatric surgery. I entered a search in the internet and was amazed to find it was being done! I was so excited. Even though it wasn't available in my state, I knew that I would travel to where it was available, and I did travel 450 miles.

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

My primary insurance wouldn't cover it Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Options. My secondary BPA (New York) approved it in less than one week. 2 weeks prior to my surgery date, BPA announced that they would not be providing service to us as of 9 days prior to my scheduled date. The company that took over; Empire BCBS approved the procedure in less than a week also so the surgery went off as scheduled. Of note: 5 months later, BCBS still has not paid the bill. They state that the primary must be billed first, refuse to pay and they they will pay. Stall tactics at their finest.

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

I met him the day before surgery and had had most of my questions already answered. He took time to explain the procedure, risks benefits etc. even though I had done a lot of research and am an RN. To get the most of the first meeting, a list of questions is critical. We all tend to forget what we intended to ask without a reminder.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

As soon a I found out that I could have a less drastic surgery and have it by lap approach, my mind was already made up. I knew I was slowly dying and my quality of life was nill.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The proximal RNY has a good success rate without all the complications associated with the distal. The lap procedure was chosen for several reasons; less pain, shorter hospitalization, shorter recovery, less chance of wound separation post-op or hernias later, ability to ambulate faster to help prevent blood clots.

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 knew that I needed to take the chance, because I wasn't living anyway. My fears were minor because my resolve was major.

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?

Very non-supportive. My husband and I were hardly speaking by the time my surgery date arrived. I would not let him talk me out of it. After telling a couple of family members, and getting a negative reaction, I quit telling them until after it was over. My long distance family checks on me often now, I think they think something is still going to go wrong because of all the negative gossip about this surgery. My husband is now very supportive. His only concern is that I will get tired of him with my new body and find someone else.

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

My supervisor has not been supportive of me since she took her present position. I was very forthright about the surgery with her, and she said she supported me, but her actions said otherwise. I was off work for 4 weeks, but didn't need that long. Could have returned in 2-3 weeks.

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

I had surgery on Friday and was discharged on Sunday. Had to stay in Canton for 6 days until the doctor saw me again then we came home (450 miles). Pain was moderate and well controlled by demerol & phenergan the first night then by Percocet pills the rest of the time. I was up walking the next AM and didn't have most of the tubes or lines described by the others. I had and IV inserted while awake and foley (urinary catheter)/A-line (line in the artery to monitor blood pressure and remove blood for lab tests) inserted after enough Versed that I had no idea they did it. A-line and foley were both removed in PACU (Recovery), never had an NG tube, ICU stay or anything else. All rooms were private and had plenty of channels on the TV so the stay was nice. I walked a lot because of intestinal gas, which was my biggest problem and that lasted for 10 days. Never knew gas hurt that bad! I was on liquids the day after surgery and took pills....prilosec (stomach acid reducer), percoset (pain pill), reglan (speeds up intestinal motility). Had Lovenox (blood thinner) injections until discharged. This surgeon performs and endoscopy while you are asleep to assure that there are no leaks so you don't have to go through the barium swallow routine the next day. He knows you have no leaks before he closes you up...a huge plus.

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

Developed a paralytic ileus 9 days post-op which resolved itself. Was hospitalized for IV fluids.

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 so anxious that the time seemed to go slow. I tried to stay busy so the time would go faster. I marked each day off the calendar and counted down the days!

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

I walked as much as I could to prevent complications. Had no problems with pain, took Percoset for about a week. The last few days only took it at night so I could sleep. Was able to perform light housework, but tired very easily so I rested frequently.

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

450 Miles. I stayed in our RV from Sunday to Friday and a peaceful park a few miles from the hospital. It was very comfortable. I tolerated the trip home fair. It tired me out very much.

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 couldn't tolerate sugar..not even slim-fast shakes. Caused cold sweats and shaky feeling along with nausea. I could eat most things but for the first two months I had to chew my food almost into liquid or I got a serious stomach ache. At first I couldn't tolerate pasta, I vomited it a few times. After three months, I can eat most anything, but fatty foods make me sleepy.

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

For the first three months my activity was very sedate. I had no energy and no stamina. My three month blood work showed my iron was a little low, so I started taking additional iron. I now feel much more energetic and can move much easier.

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

Initially I took flintstones chewables with iron and tums for calcium. I now take Nature's Plus; time released multivitamins, Solgar Calcium Citrate with Magnesium and Slow FE 160mg. daily.

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 am experiencing hair loss now and for the past month. I have very thick hair, so it's not distressing, but it is coming out steadily. I still have nausea at times after I eat and am not sure why, possibly too much fat in the meal. I avoid sugar and only eat sugar free sweets. I have experienced dumping a couple of times when I ate too much sugar as in Slim-Fast. I also am lactose interolant and drink Lactaid Milk. 5 Month Update: No problem with lactose and small amounts of sugar.

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

I would say the anxiety over the approval process, the wait for the surgery and the resistance I met from my family were far worse than any part of the surgery or recovery.

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

I do not attend any organized group as there is not group near my home. I rely a great deal on the Obesity Help and OSSG sites for my support and have found both to be very helpful.

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

I have 6 small scars which will fade and become invisible over time.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

The first month my weight loss was steady almost on a daily basis. I weight myself daily and cannot miss a day. The last two months have been more sporadic. I will go several days and then lose 1 or two pounds in a couple of days. Week to week it varies from as little as 1 lb to as much as 3 pounds.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

The people I work with are very complimentary and supportive. My family seems to be waiting for something bad to happen. I general, strangers do not notice me anymore at all. There are no more disapproving looks.