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

I did some research about five years ago on the internet. It was not as popular as it is now so the information was very limited. I thought about it for a long time and finally when my health became an overwhelming problem I began to actively pursue the idea. I was very impressed by the whole process and decided somehow I was going to get it done.

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

I work at a hospital and our insurance is called Wassua. I found out that my insurance would not pay one dime no matter what codes were used or how much a person needed the surgery. I was very fortunate that my husband also has insurance and his carrier is Blue cross blue shield of mi. If MY insurance denied all of it then his would pick it up and thats exactly what happened. blue cross is great.

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

I was nervous meeting dr.gluck. I did not know what was going to happen. I was also a little embaressed becasue I was heavy and I didnt know how much if any of my body I had to show. I would say get on line and reserch all the information and do write down questions and DO ask questions. Dont assume anything. Get detailed information after all this is going to effect you for the rest of your life once you become approved for the surgery. Be honest with the doctor. Tell them everything. all your fears all your joys and the health isssues you may have going on. dont hold back.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I decided to pursue the idea of surgery when my primary doctor told me that some test I had were dangerous results due to my weight. I had been having heart palpatations so I had an echocardiagram and found out that my heart is enlarging( our hearts are one big muscle and mine was getting bigger due to the extra work of my heavy body) and my ventricle was leaking fluid back down in my heart and causeing a flutter in the valve. I was told do nothing and when something happens such as a stroke or heart attack then we can treat you. But at this point your life is in your hands. YOU must change your lifestyle or you will die young. that scared me more than anything.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I went to a meeting which this perticular doctor requires you to before he will even give you an appointment in his office. He only offered laproscopic unless something went wrong and an open surgery was the last resort. I was happy that he only does laproscopic, I had just had a hystorectomy last year and was not looking forward to being cut open again.

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?

like I stated before I was never scared. I had all the confidence in the world that was the golden answer to my problems. I knew in my heart that GOD would protect me and I guess I was nieve about that. I would tell people to be sure and weigh all the pro's and con's. talk to someone or a few someones who have had it done. dont make a split decision. I researched it for five yrs. before really taking the plunge. and if you are so scared dont do it. you need to feel positive before going in so that it is positive when you come out.

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?

alot of my friends were scared for me. MY husband was furious he didnt want me do it at all. he was scared that I would die. I explained to him that I needed to do this for me and not anyone else but me. I think that I would have said the same things. I feel good in my decision. My husband is VERY supportive now. He is wonderful and encouraging now that its all over. my friends I have not seen as much but when I run into them they tell me I look great.

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

My boss was wonderfully supportive. She has a good friend who had it done and she said its a great thing. I had no trouble with my place of employment. I am still off on medical leave. It will be six weeks when I return to work. I could go back sooner but I am not going to. I would not recommend that to anyone. YOU need time to adapt to your new way of eating and all the changes that occur in the first few weeks.

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

My hospital stay was not long. I had surgery on the 3rd of Oct. 06 and I went home on the 5th. The hospital I was in has a wing specifically for bariatric surgery. It was good to be among the same people in for the same reason. The staff was well informed and were either a patient themselves at one time or been through it with some one close. I brought something of comfort from home and my own pajamas.

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

I was very fortunate in that my surgery went well. I had an episode of my IV's blowing out twice. but as far as the surgery I flew through it with flying colors.

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

Once I had my surgery date I was ecstatic! I was not nervous or anxious, I was counting down the days. I think that I may have felt a little niave` about the whole thing. Thinking that it would be piece of cake. I didnt think I had a worry in the world.

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

well no matter how you feel going into the surgery nothing can prepare you for the feelings to come. I didnt have a lot of problems with pain. I did go through and still struggle with a loss of something. I felt like crying alot. It was as though id just lost my best friend. I was sad and lonely. I have a great support at home. all my family is wonderful. but there is some type of blues you go through. I think more needs to be adressed with that issue. some kind of after surgery counsiling. smelling food and not being able to eat it is another hard one. and for some reason telling people that you had surgery to lose weight is hard because some people scoff at you and think that that is a cope out as opposed to doing it by diet and exercize.

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

The place to have my surgery done is approximately 40 min. away. its not that far but yet its far enough. It has not affected my aftercare however I have not been able to attend any support meetings as they are in the evening and I perfer not to travel at night. I have a family that needs me in the evening.

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.

well first you begin two weeks prior to surgery and all you can eat is protien drinks of your choice. you cut out sugar and caffeine too. That is the prep.before surgery. After surgery you wake up. have a test to make sure your stitches dont leak. then you begin sips of water. half ounce every 15 min. by evening if it all stays down with out nausea and vomit you begin maybe jello, or a popsicle. you must space it out to 1/2 ounce every 15 min. by the time you leave the hospital you can eat clear broth, yogurt, and shakes(protien drinks) within the week you increase your 1/2 ounce to 1 oz. you have appointments with a dietician so you learn what to eat and what to avoid. IT is imparament that you have a nutritionist. They will guide you through it all. you gradually add more protien. stay away form starchy foods. chew your food well because that is where your digestion takes place now.. in your mouth. it must be the consistency of baby food. small bites. dont drink when you eat. I am at the third phase now. I am starting more protiens. like refried beans , cottage cheese, string cheese, pureed foods. tuna, fruit-no skin or seeds.

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

My energy has soured. I am energetic.

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

YOU must take a multi vitamin twice daily. morning and evening. I take dissolvable PREVACID to protect my pouch and help it heal. I take a b12 daily. and calcium twice a day. your new pouch has been bypassed so your body now has malabsorption. you need to supplement to stay in good health. you will take the multi and calcium along with b12 for the REST of YOUR life.

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 never had any nausea until I changed my diet and began increasing foods. Sleeping was hard due to the surgical locations. I am very scared to get dumping syndrome so I stay away from what I was told not to eat. I have not lost my hair as of yet. I have had vomitting issues. I dont like it but my DR. perscribed nausea medicine and I take that at the first onset of nausea feelings and it controls it. IF I do vomit I take one of those pills and it calms my pouch down.

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

trying to eat when you dont feel hungry. the pain after surgery. and second guessing your self about the decision youve made to change your life for ever. The fear of the unknown, the future, your future.

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

as of right now I have none other than my family. I am seeking out groups right now such as this one. I am planning on going to support groups but I live a ways away from the ones at my Dr's request. It is hard to get there. I personally know that YOU need a support group. It is VERY hard to go through these changes by YOURSELF. please reach out just as I am.

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

I have 5 scars. two are a little on the larger side. but not too big. the rest are small incisions. I had laproscopic surgery. I am not too worried about how they look. The after effects of the surgery are what is most important to me. The scars are considerd by me to be my battle scars. The battle of my lifelong fight to gain control of my weight.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am almost 1 month post op. so at this time I have not had any plateau's.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

sometimes I feel like they do. but I dont really think so. I see the looks and people who dont know what I had done wonder why I look different. but for the most part it is not bad.