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

I just heard about it from the news and my primary care doctor. I tried to get it approved but was originally denied due to guidelines. Then someone I work with had it done and it was working so well for her that it inspired me to try to get it approved again. Not to mention the weight was taking a toll on me!

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

Do your research ahead of time with you insurace carrier. What their guidelines are. I made sure the second time around I knew exactly what they were looking for and that I met the standards so that I didn't get dissapointed again. Most insurances look for a fairly high BMI 50+ and some major health conditions, which most of us have at a 50+ BMI and higher at some point.

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

He was very kind, caring and forthmost with information. I found that once I get in with the doctor I go brain dead. So what I would recommend is writing down all you questions and concerns before hand and bringing that list to the appointment. Don't feel embarrased to bring it out at the appointment. They are their to help you and should take the time to address your issues and concerns.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was borderline diabetic, had severe hypertension, polycystic ovarian disease, sjogren's disease and now MS. The medical issues just kept piling up and I was getting scared I wouldn't be around soon. When you look at a curb on the street and have to worry about whether you can step up onto it you really need to re-evaluate your life!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

For me it was always RNY because I knew I needed the more regimed procedure. Something that would limit not only how much I ate but what I ate too. The fact that you lose a bit faster was a necessity also!

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?

Well, the doctor wanted me to lose 50 pounds prior to surgery on his Optifast program to lean out my liver. I couldn't do the Optifast very well and had to use alternate protein drinks. When surgery time came the doctor said I still had a lot of weight around the middles and that surgery may be tough. He said that when he opened me up that would be decision making time whether he could do the full RNY or if he would have to do something called a bilateral wedge resection. My surgery ended up taking 3 hrs vs. 1 1/2 hrs and was a tough one but he was able to do the RNY. I guess because I had so much faith instilled in me about my particular surgeon I wasn't worried about living through the surgery just worried about which surgery I was going to get. I'm thankful! I would say do your research before picking a doc and get the very best one you can get...Don't settle!

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 father and most of my family was and is very supportive. My mother was reluctant. She didn't want anything to happen to me during surgery or afterwards. Now that she sees me doing so well she is much more supportive. Everybody is seeing the outcome which is a much healthier and happy me and they can't help but be supportive and encouraging.

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

I explained why I was having the surgery, which they already knew from working with me for 12 years. Then I explained how long I would be gone and pushed the benefits of having a happier healthier me around. They were very supportive. I was out of the office for three weeks. When I came back it was a bit tough for two weeks, I got tired quickly. But then after that it was back to normal!

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

It was brief. My husband and I both had the surgery done the same day and were only in the hospital overnight. I was really out of it though. I was in surgery longer than the average person so I don't really remember much till about midnight the day of surgery. What I do remember after coming out of it a bit was that the staff was attentive and helpful and it helped with my morale that my husband was in the same room. You really don't need to bring much. Maybe a change of clothes for when you leave but as far as cosmetics you won't feel like messing with that and most toiletries are provided. So, clothes and family is it! Well, money for the way home...We had to stop and get prescriptions on the way home!

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

We both didn't have any complications...We were very fortunate!

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 just kept focusing on what it would mean for my life when I got my weight off. No more medications, being able to do more things, wear prettier clothes. I didn't focus on the surgery itself but what it meant for my life after!

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

I actually had a really hard time the first week. I was very sore and the pain kept me from sleeping well. I don't do very well with pain killers so I had to try to just get through it without all that. If you do fine with the pain killers you probably won't have any kind of problem. I think the very hardest part is learning how to get all the protein and fluid into your body in a day. You are truly starting out like a baby and learning everything new for the first time! The second week the pain subsided and I just got tired easily for any exertion. By the third week I probably could have went back to work but was happy I took it off cuz learning how to manage my life with all these new changes and getting through a day with them is a full time job!

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

I live in Washington and had to travel to Idaho. It's only about a 45 minutes drive though. It's right over the border. It hasn't effected my aftercare at all!! I'm lucky!

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 almost don't remember what I couldn't eat. It's more like how much of it I couln't eat. I was very limited to how much I could eat for several months after. No more than a half of a cup at a time...Sometimes less, just depended on what it was. Both my husband and I do not have very many food limitations, it's more how much of it we can eat. We both agree that cake and ice cream is pretty much off the table. It doesn't set well at all. We also don't do well with cereal & milk...not sure why! I would have to say what you can eat does change atleast monthly. You can eat a bit more and what you can eat expands also. So, I would say if there is something you really want and couldn't eat it at 2 months and your now at 6 definetely try it again and see how you tolerate it. Just take a little and see how it sits. I feel fortunate to be able to eat anything...All kinds of meats, fruits, veges, breads, sugar. I just have to watch how much of it I eat.

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

I worked full time and was always running errands and doing things...But that was pretty much the extent of my exercise. I have a recumbant bike that I tried to work out on but that was very occasionally. I have MS too and that really zaps my energy in a big way!

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

I take the Bariatric Advantage vitamins...2 Complex, 1 Iron and 1 B-6 sublingual all in the chewable. Also I take 2 calcium chews 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?

My husband and I have never vomitted. We don't have any sleep disturbances. We have dumped and still do if we eat too much or the wrong thing. It usually makes us feel dizzy, sweaty, our heart beats very strongly and feel nausea. My husband did have hair loss for about 6-8 months after surgery but it wasn't very bad. I'm still have hair loss. I'm lucky that I have a ton of hair because you couldn't tell that I've lost quite a bit of it. I just try to use a really good shampoo and conditioner. My husband is using a special shampoo and scalp therapy that's supposed to help with hair loss. It's called Nioxin!

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

While in the hospital it would be the uncomfortable hospital beds, compression stockings, dry mouth and all the hook up and tubes. There's nothing like home! As far as after I would have to say it was getting used to eating being something you do to live not to do as entertainment. I severly mourned the loss of that and to some extent still do! The gradification you get from food changes. You fill up so quickly that if your looking for it to keep you company or give you something to do when your bored it will not work that way anymore. That's by far the worst part as far as I'm concerned. Starting new with new habits!

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

The facility that we had surgery with offers a weekly pre and post op support group. After you have had surgery you can go to these support groups forever at no fee. The councelor that heads them up is wonderful and the groups are very informative and productive. I wouldn't have gotten as far as I have without them. I think that anyone whos thinking of having this type of surgery should plan on being involved in some type of support group!!

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

I have 8 little puncture type scars. Less than 1/2 inch long for each of them. I had my surgery done laproscopically! The scarring turned out way better than I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had several plateau experiences. None have lasted much longer than two weeks. When they happen I do three very simple things. Drop my carbs, drink massive amounts of water and cut my calories..You should be eating like that most of the time anyways but I get super strict when I hit a plateau and it usually works!!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. They look at me with much more respect and dignity. When your severly overweight you are treated like a second hand citizen. People treat you like your dumb, lazy, old and not even there. It's sad that weight makes people act like that. I sure hope those people that treat others that way never end up having a weight problem. They will be in for a very rude awakening!