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

I heard a friend had it done and I began researching. I hoped and prayed for the opportunity to get drastic help, because I realize that this is a hard almost impossible thing to fight all by yourself.

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

I suppose I was very lucky it seemed like it took no time to get approved. I had all my properative appointments done quickly and had approval and surgery date in what seems to have been only 2-3 months. Research your options this is an expensive surgery and some people can not afford it and sometimes getting approval seems like it takes forever for some, but there are people who are willing to help you fight this disease of morbid obesity, and you do not have to be alone.

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

My surgeon was so upfront at our seminar. He did not go into all these glorious stories about loosing weight and being healthier. He cared enough about his patients to inform them first about all the dangerous risks associated with this type of surgery first, he told us about how quickly a pulmonary embolism could kill you. He told us that the actual open gastric bypass surgery did have a lot of pain associated with it. He explained to us about nausea, vomiting, dumping syndrome, staple line break down, and all kinds of not so beautiful realities associated with this surgery. He showed us the size of a a gastric pouch. Then he told us about the benefits you could reap after the surgery if you would dedicate yourself to making a lifelong behavior change. I appreciated that he wanted people to understand just how serious the risks are when choosing to have this surgery. I love that my doctor was straight forward because I left that appointment with a better understanding of gastric bypass surgery, and was able to make an informed decision. Ask questions if they do not have time to answer them to your satisfaction find a doctor who will make the time to help understand the good and the bad so you can make the best choice possible for your situation. Take notes. Talk to other people who have had weight loss surgery. While individual results vary it helps to hear information from people who have been down a road that you are considering traveling on as well.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted the chance to live longer and feel better for myself and my children.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I chose the gastric bypass surgery because I felt like the lap band procedure would have slower results for me. I knew there were many ways to get around the lap band like drinking tasty fattening shakes and I know I certainly do not have the will power to venture down that avenue.

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?

My main concern was that I had small children who depend completely on me for their care. At the time my husband was only my boyfriend at that point so I was scared to think that I could leave them behind knowing how much they need me. I was scared that I would have little success after going through all the risks associated with the surgery. My husband told me he would support me one way or the other but to make the choice for myself that he would love me no matter what. My mother told me I know you will die if you have this surgery. My reply? I know I will die if I don't have this surgery. It was at that point that I decided to have this surgery. I just tried to be positive and accept the fact that there were many major risks associated with gastric bypass surgery, but I felt like I was in competent hands with my surgeon and God is in control in the end anyway, so even though I accepted the risks that were possible I envisioned the new healthier happier life that could be possible. You have to make these choices first for yourself and then for dependants. I suggest that you talk to your family friends or other possible supporters because whether or not you have support is a contributing factor of your success in so many ways. If you decide to have this surgery and realisticly accept the fact that it is a risky surgery that could cause death, or other complications, write a will and inform others of your wishes. I suggest that you have an advanced directive or a living will. I am not saying any of these things to sound morbid, I have been through this and I know these were some concerns for me, and after accepting the risks associated with the surgery it did give me some piece of mind to take care of these things just in case. They are making great strides in bariatric surgery, making them more safe and more effective. Understand that morbid obesity is a disease and it is a contributing factor to co-morbidities. This is a serious disease and bariatric surgery has been shown to have the best success levels for morbidly obese patients to reach a healthy weight goal, and maintain that weight. Bariatric surgery should in no way be considered a cosmetic surgery. It is a life changing event that along with excersize, and behavior modification can contribute to great succes in bariatric patients to be healthier and reduce risks associated with obesity, such as co-morbidities. Do your research. Talk to doctors/surgeons and people who have had different types of bariatric surgery. Keep in mind that individual results may vary, and what you feel comfotable with should be your final determining factor as to whether to have bariatric surgery or not.

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 mother was not very encouraging. She tried to thwart my attemt at having this surgery every opportunity she had. My husband was very supportive before during and after my surgery. I have many people who wish me well and supported my choice to have bariatric surgery. I think I made it clear that I was making this choice on what was best for me, my husband, and kids. If anyone did not support my choice to have the surgery that was fine, but I informed them that I was not going to be subjected to negativity when I was taking the risk to make a positive change for my life.

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

I am a stay at home mother so thankfully I did not have to ask anyones permission.

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

I was in ICU for about 7 days. My heart rate was high and mid surgery my Doctor had to open me up. For the most part people were helpful. Bring your support person with you, you may feel embarrassed because of some of the limitations you may have initially due to possible complications, and if you have to have an open gastric bypass surgery you are going to be a little more unconfortable and it helps to have someone who you are confortable with to help you through these obsticles. You will usually need encouragement because this is a hole new chapter of your life you are opening and the people who support you and wish you the best and want to see you succeed are so important at this time. So please have a support system with you for major appointments and especially on the day of your surgery.

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

I had an elevated heart rate for several days. I was scared and I was emotional because of this. Upon being released I developed a severe case of candidiasis (yeast infection) and had to be rehospitalized for a few days to get treatment. Most likely I developed this infection due to the antibiotics that were given to me post surgery. It is my understanding that it is common almost protocol to take antibiotics soon after surgery in order to keep down the instances of post operative infections. So if antibiotics are known to commonly casue you to develope candidiasis (yeast infection) you may want to ask for a prescription for Diflucan or similar drug to have on hand.

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 on cloud nine! I was so thankful for this opportunity to be able to participate in this life saving medical intervention. Then I was nervous that I would be sick on my surgery date or that something would go wrong and I would have to put my surgery on the back burner. It was at that time that I realized how important my supporters were. I am a mother of three and I had a back up plan for every what if scenario there could possibly be for my kids I lined up grandparents, step grandparents, and any other reputible family member or friend that I could rely on who wanted me to do well with my surgery and I refused to feel bad for reaching out for help. As my surgery date approached I had less anxiety because I knew somehow these people who wanted the best for me were going to see to it that I was able to follow through with my surgery.

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

I was very sore. I had to borrow a recliner to sleep in because the bed I loved to sleep in for so many years had suddenly became my enemy due to my feeding tube, drain tube, staples and the inability to stretch out due to the fact that I had a huge cut from my open procedure. Expect that you will need help.Do not feel guilty for relying on others for help. It can be a very painful surgery and although the last thing you want to do is get up and move, expect to be moving because one of your new post operative best friends will be movement. It can help prevent blood clot/pulmonary embolisms, it also seems to help you recover quicker than if you were to remain sedentary. Don't be suprized if some people think you were supposed to come home from the hospital 100 pounds lighter than you went in, because they are uneducated about the process gastric bypass patients usually go through. You may become emotional and cry easily. That is normal, considering that you just went through such a major ordeal. However if you begin having more serious emotional boughts during this time please talk to your support person, your Doctor, or someone else you feel comfortable with. You do not have to face these feelings alone. You may be concerned that your surgery will be successful and that you will not loose your weight. Share these concerns with your gastric bypass surgeon, and their staff. They are trained to help you learn the tools that will help you meet your goal.

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

I had to travel a little over 75 miles to have my surgery. It has been difficult for me to go to follow up post operative appointments with my doctor lately. ( Due to no fault of my doctor. Transportation personal scheduling conflicts and the distance have been a problem for me lately.) I have an upcoming appointment with my doctor next week, and it will take a natural disaster or act of congress to keep me out of his office. I am having all kinds of concerns and questions, not that anything has gone wrong, but I realize how important my doctor is to my success. He specializes in this procedure and he knows what works, he knows what is normal or abnormal for a gastric bypass patient. He knows what obsticles might lie ahead for this procedure. And he also knows that if he teaches you the tools you need and you are able to and willing to follow his advise, he knows the success that you as his patient can and will have. ( And yes he knows that gastric bypass surgery is truly a life saving intervention that is very capable of helping the morbidly obese patient achieve and maintain weight loss goals, and is a tool when properly utilized gives patients a healthier lifestye, otherwise I do not feel he would be performing gastric bypass surgery.) I need my doctors feedback and expert advise as one of my tools of success, and I will be so glad to be back under my doctors care...even though he will probably repremand me for missing follow up exams.

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.

When I came home I could tolerate cream of chicken soups. I really enjoyed my 2cc serving of oatmeal at breakfast, with splenda in it. I liked the 2 cc serving of tuna fish. I could not tolerate any beef products for some time after my surgery. Some days I could eat eggs other times they would make me throw up. I have had absolutely no luck with any type of protein shakes/supplements. I am yet to keep any ammount of them down. I had my surgery August 27, 2007. I was able to stay on the 2 cc of protein plan for a few months but around March I noticed that I ate more sometimes. It is May 2008 and I have no idea how much I actually should be eating at this time. Tough meats, dry meats and baked fish make me vomit profusely, so I usually do not even try them anymore. Also some certain types of beans that I easily tolerated before surgery give me gas so bad that it feels like I could explode any second, so they are pretty much off limits to.

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

At first I was in a lot of pain. I was in ICU for seven days and I was not very mobile, from the sick feeling and dizziness I had post operative. My heart rate was elevated I was hooked up to monitors. Then about day 8 and 9 I was out on the floor and I made myself walk around, so I could go home. At home I got up and walked around the house several times, but I was in so much pain I felt like I had been beaten, ran over twice, then trampelled by a stampeding herd of wildabeasts. Then around week 2, I contracted what the Emergeny room doctor reffered to as the worst case of candidiasis (yeast infection) he had ever whitnessed in his entire life. I had to be hospitalized and catheterized and put on diflucan intraveinously for 3-4 days. Upon my release I was still in pain from my surgery and in pain from the infection, plus carrying my catheter bag around like a purse embarrassed me a bit, not to mention was somewhat awkward so I was not so much up and at em. But that came to pass and by the middle of week 3, I was going to the grocery, going for walks running errands. I felt guilty like I should be doing so much more. Then I just so happened to meet several people over that week while out with my mother and she introduced us. They were people she knew and people she worked with who had the same surgery as me. When my mother informed them of my surgery date and the complications and the ammount of weight I had lost already they all said that they could not believe it that it took them a long time to do the things I was doing within this short period of time. All of these people had nothing but nice things to say and plenty of encouragemnt. I am thankful for that because I was so discouraged and being so hard on myself.

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

Ar first I took iron tablets until the throwing up from taking them was more than I can stand. I do the calcium chews, and the vitamins, however I get very sick when I take them so I do not take them near as often as I am supposed to.

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 all kinds of hair, and when it started coming out by the brush fulls I was so sick. But I guess I had so much that it did not make that big of a difference. I still get sick at times, and throwup. I have only experienced dumping syndrome 2 times. It is not something I would not like ro have happen again.

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

I have lost 120 lbs from August 27, 2007 to May 1, 2008. I have no idea if I am doing well. I worry constantly that my surgery will quit working. I worry that I will have a post operative complication like hernia, ulcers,or something else. But all things in consideration I already feel 100% better than I did 7 months ago and I would have it again even though I have these concerns, because for several years before bariatric surgery I felt hopeless, worthless, and before my surgery my life was nearing a quick end due to the strain morbid obesity puts on a body. I just turned 30 and for the first time in several years, I jump on the trampoline with my kids take them places and I go places that I had quit going to because I no longer had the energy or the confidence to allow myself to go to them anymore. So as you can tell there are certainly more things I like about bariatric surgery than I do not.

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

I just joined obesityhelp.com today because I need more support and I want to help others as well.

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

I have several small ones because they began my surgery laproscopicaly then had to do an emergency open procedure, so I have a huge scar that begins under my breast bone down to my belly button. It is wide at the top and somewhat raised. You can see the dots of scars where I was stapled back up. You can see where I had my drain tube and my feeding tube.Most of them are very dark in color. It is not what I expected at all, considering he was planning on doing mine completely laproscopicaly. My doctor had to make what was probably a last minute decision to open me up, I trusted him to provide me with the best care he could give me as a doctor,and I really feel like he did what was necessary to perform this surgery, keep me alive, and give me the opportunity to be healthier.Although I sometimes get uncomfortable when people see my scar in retrospect that big old scar is a tiny price to pay for a chance at a longer healthier life.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have just recently hit a plateau it is around my 8th month. I do worry that this is the end result for me, although I hear many people do hit plateaus around this time after surgery. In the last few weeks I have only lost around 1.5 - 2 lbs per week and it had been mostly consistent up until now, around 4 - 5 lbs. So I am a little worried and a little disappointed, but I hope this comes to pass.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I notice a bunch of people are nicer to me. People say you are looking so good. It is unreal already the difference we can see in you. Some people who acted like I was not good enough to be around before try to snatch up my company and keep me all to their self now. I am not in the least bit flattered by this behavior in people. I find it amusing, if I wasn't good enough for people then, I certainly prefer to remain that way to them. I am not negative to people by any means I just think it is silly to avoid people who are obese like they suffer from the red plague, but when the pounds start dropping people begin to notice these people who are usually just the same post surgery, only healthier.