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

I first heard of bariatric surgery when a co worker had the proceedure done about 3 years ago.

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

My pcp had the nurse at the clinic contact him so that they would have everything that they needed in the letter. I was never denied, was approved on the first time through.

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

He talked with me about the proceedure and I told him that I did not want to have it till after Jan 2005. He was supportive of this move. He was great and I have never looked back after starting the journey.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My concerns about my health and the fact that it was so difficult for me to walk around at work. My diabetes, htn, cholesterol, arthritis, and myalgia.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After exploring on the web and finding a local Dr. that did the rny I decided to use this one for my surgery.

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 the fears that I would die without the surgery. That I would be wheelchair bound with out the surgery.

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 has been very supportive since I have made the decision to have the wls. My husband has been great as well as my grown childern. They all know that this will benefit me in the long run and make me healthier. My Mother who is 75 yo is very pleased too, (she just told me this as I was typing.)

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

My supervisor, who is head of the floor where the wls are done, was pleased as he said to other staff at a meeting that it is a great testiment that our own employees are benefiting from this surgery. I was off from work for 8 weeks. Have returned without any problems since the surgery.

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

I was hospitilized for 5 days. They stay was ok, and it is hard to be able to thank fellow staff for taking care of me. I am not really sure of what things are most important to bring as I took some reading material but when I tried to read would fall asleep, so it wasn't beneficial for me at that time. I just resting and walked that was what was important was the walking.

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

I had an elevated temperature post op. They of course did tests to be sure that I did not have an infection. Did have some breathing problems but they were resolved quickly with antibiotics. It was found that upon doing a urinalysis which was contaminated that I had MERSA on my skin. This did not effect my recovery. I just did as the Dr told me to do. Sometimes having to much knowledge is a dangerous thing. Being a nurse made it a little more difficult when I did have my problems. The worse thing was that I came down with a case of shingles post operatively. Found out that they are pretty painful.

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 had originally anticipated a date in April. In last Feb. they moved my surgery date up to March 8th. So I only had 2 weeks to prepare. I did not have any anxiety as I had made the decision and never looked back after the decision was made.

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

I slept on the hide a bed for the first 3 nights but then was able to climb the stairs and sleep in my own bed. The worst problem was getting up out of the bed, (no side rails). But I managed. My husband and step son both work third shift, (as I also do). I found that for some reason my schedule had been turned upside down and could not stay awake past 10 pm at night. Was up at 7 am. I wqas able to wait on myself, did have to have a bedside commode over the toilet upstairs as I could not get off from it by myself without it. Yes used the toilet at 4 am one morning and had to sit on it till step son came home at 6:15 am. Was a little embarrassing for me. But the commode made all the difference after that. The local VFW loans them out free of charge for you to use. I am thankful for that as it would have been an added expense.

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

My surgery was done 9 blocks from my home, the Dr is only 1 mile. The longest that I had to travel was for my psycholgical exam and that was 25 miles. So aftercare was not a problem at all.

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 followed the Dr.'s recommendation and the dieticians also. I have not had a problem with any of my foods with the exception of the sf hot cocoa, it is just to sweet for me. I did the clear liquids, full liquids, puree foods, soft foods and then the regular foods. I have not tried some foods yet as the Dr. has told me to stay away from raw vegetables and beef. Guess that I am not one to go outside the guidelines that they have set. The worst of it all is having to crush my medications still. He will let me take the small pills but have 2 pills that are large and even broken in half are still to big, so have to continue crushing them for the time being.

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

I walked around the house and then at the grocery store or Walmart. The weather was not real warm at first but then it warmed up and I have been walking. Recently Dr. has recommended that I return to Cardiac Rehab to use the NuStep as it will be less stress on my legs. So am returning to there and will also use the exercise bike as he has recommended. I have lots of energy, but continue to have leg pain. This to shall pass.

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

I am on the Optisource vitamin's, at first it was 4 times a day but after one month he put me on them 3 times a day. Was using the Beneprotein for the protein supplement. Have changed since to UNjury protein supplement, as it has 20 g protein per scoop and tastes wonderful.

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 not nausea, no vomiting. No sleep disturbances. Only one bout of dumping so far and it was not pleasant at all. The worst has been the hair loss. I am three months out and that is why I have changed to a higher protein supplement. Hopefully it will stop soon.

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

The worst part has been the fact that I cannot take NSAIDS anymore. So therefore my arthritis is all messed up. Pain control in my legs is really the only problem that I have had. Dr.s are working on it though so hopefully it will soon be resolved.

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

We have a local support group that meets the last Wednesday of each month. But also I have the support of other wls people. They are a wonderful group. All have exchanged numbers and are there for each other. It is great. My other support group was recommended by the psychiatrist that did my testing. Obesityhelp.com. I go to the Michigan Message board and they answer any and all questions. Sometimes the question is answered before I even ask it. They are a great group of wonderful people. My second family as far as I am concerned.

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

It is well healed and I guess it is what it should be. A typical surgical scar.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I experienced a plateau about 2 months after surgery, was not loosing weight but was loosing inches so that made it ok.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES!!!!!!!!!! People notice the weight loss as it has shown first in my face. But now with 50 pounds gone it is showing up everywhere.