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

My sister first introduced me to the idea. She then had the surgery and it worked for her in a tremendous way. It totally changed her life.

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

Best advice is to KEEP ON THEM. I had to actually get my intermediary where I work to threaten them with finding other insurance (I work for a LARGE corporation). I was approved the same day. Wish I'd have thought of that months sooner. My surger was supposed to be March 10th but got pushed back because it took so long to get approval to July 21.

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

First visit was very informative. Best advice is to LISTEN and whatever they give you to take home to read...do it! Then prepare a list of questions to take with you to the next visit.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Seeing my sisters progress and deciding to change my life too.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I read everything I could get my eyes on. All the info the surgeon gave me...stuff on the net....this site. The duodenal switch was best for me personally.

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 had all the usual fears. I have a strong faith in God though and know with certainty that when its your time, its your time, regardless of the source. I did get my house in order though. I had life insurance information and how to contact my business all ready for my husband. I also wrote each of my children and my husband a letter to keep with them forever. I gave them to them when I was home about 4 weeks and it was a tender time for all of us. I was glad I did it.

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 side of the family has been extremely supportive. His side, however is a different story. All the women (his mother and 3 sisters) are very large people, as are several of my sisters-in-law. They don't see the reason for this even though I've explained the health benefits.

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

I told my direct supervisor. She has been marvelous. I work out of my home so being off wasn't a big deal. I took 2 weeks total and was back to work on the phones and computer after that.

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

I doubt if my hospital stay was typical. The place where I stayed the nurses were very apathetic. I had to ring for them to unhook me to go to the bathroom 4 to 5 times before they came to help. I would not recommend the hospital to anyone. I was there for 4 days and couldn't wait to go home. As for what to bring..I would say pack as light as you can. You won't feel up to changing into your own things until about the 3rd day and then its almost time to go home. Anything you need for your own personal hygiene you should take along and a nice robe to put over your hospital gown because they do make you walk in the halls almost immediately. Also, a good pair of slippers. I took a pair that my feet just slid into and I kept tripping myself with them, which you DON'T want to do. They ended up giving me a pair of footies to use.

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

I had no complications at all. Everything went very smoothly.

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 quite good. I kept waiting to feel so bad that I'd go through the "why did I do this", but never did. The only time I felt any real anxiety was on my 4th day home. I was so hungry for watermelon and knew I couldn't have anything yet but liquids. So I decided to just chew it up to get the juice and spit it out. I got VERY sick about an hour later and was scared to death that I had accidentally swallowed a small seed or something. I threw up and felt much better, but again got scared when there was a small amount of blood. I was later told that was not unusual so soon after surgery. It scared me enough though, that even when I was allowed to take solid food I was very choosy about what I ate.

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

The first week I seldom got out of my recliner. I was very tired and sore. The second week was a little better and I walked about quite a bit more. By the third week I was working in my home office on the computer, but took naps when I felt tired. I was lucky to have that luxury. I don't believe if I had to get up and actually go to a job that I could have done it much before the 4th week.

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

I had to travel 2 hours. My surgeon and his office staff are great about being available though and I have called to ask questions several times. The only negative was the 2nd day home from the hospital my legs and ankles swelled up terribly. Because he couldn't see me so far away he sent me to my local emergency room where I sat and waited 3 hours. It turned out to just be fluid and not the blood clot the surgeon worried about.

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 have found at 6 months out that my tastes have changed a lot. I usd to absolutely love tuna salad, now tuna makes me sick. That's just one of many things.

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

I returned to work after 2 weeks, but that was far too soon. I ended up feeling very tired up until about the 6th week after surgery. I think that is pretty typical though. At 3 months my activity level had increased and now at 6 months out it is beyone what I could have imagined.

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

I take a liquid vitamin with iron and 1 chewable (gummie) vitamin each day. I have had trouble with most of the dietary supplements though. I don't like the consisency or the taste of most of them. I get my protien in with as much meat/fish/nuts and beef jerky as I can.

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've been very fortunate in that I haven't had any of the side effects except for the hair loss. At 6 months it is beginning to be noticable.

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

The worst part for me was the process of getting the insurance approval. All the hoops they make you jump through to get a procedure that will inevitably save them money. In my case the one drug I take costs 394 per month saving them almost 5K annually.

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

There is no local support group where I am. I had my surgery 2 hours from home so going there is not an option. I do, however have my sister and sister-in-law who have gone through the surgery. And I check into this site often.

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

It is a bit larger than I expected. It runs from my diaphram down past my navel a few inches. I was told this would be the size of it, but it seems different once its actually there!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I lost 30 lbs in 4 weeks very quickly. Then the 5th week I only lost 2 lbs and the 6th and 7th weeks none at all which was disappointing. I decided to really push the proteins and at 8 weeks had lost 40 lbs. I am now at nearly 6 months and 74 lbs. I stayed at 70 lbs for 4 weeks and then just today 4 lbs down...weird.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

At 6 months and 74 lbs yes I am treated very differently. Some are just plain nasty, some are curious, but all are amazed.