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

I received a newspaper article from a co worker and then I went to a seminar. It seemed to be very serious and I had to make a decision that would last for the rest of my life.

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

I went to two programs. The first one did not accept my insurance so I changed it. Then I went back to them but the new insurance was not accepted either so I went to my current program where the insurance was accepted right away.

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

It was good. He is very knowledgeable and patient with me. Ask alot of questions and follow the instructions given to you.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When my back hurt even when I stood up for a minute. Now I have several co morbidities: Hypothyroidism, hypertension, sleep apnea, arthritis, and diabetes type 2 (diagnosed at pre op meeting with surgeon).

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon told me that there was too much fat in my belly for a Lap so I will have the Open RNY instead.

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 am very concerned about following the guidelines set by this prodeedure. I also made out a living will just in case something happened. It is up to the individual to decide whether or not to have the surgery but even the pre op diet they put me on helped me feel better so I am sure the surgery will be successful. Use this website and go to support groups to have your questions answered and to express your concerns.

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 Mom was the one who told me that something needed to be done about my weight one day after my birthday. Four days later, I went to a seminar and the rest is history. They are very supportive. I have family and friend support in two states (Florida and Ohio) and two countries (USA and Italy).

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

I was unemployed when I had surgery. I had a severence package that allowed my insurer to pay for the surgery. My peers who were laid off with me were very supportive as were my family and friends. I have more confidence and know what I can and can't do. Now that I have a new job that makes me walk, I will lose more weight than ever before.

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

No sleep. I roamed the hallways and sat in many different places at night due to lack of sleep. Nurses were good during the week but weekend nurses were the worst. Showers were great. Morphine helped alot and it was nice when they pulled the tubes out but the Foley Catheder was weird when it came out. They left the catheder in my arm for the IV in case they needed it. Good thing, because I hate needles.

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

Some fever, pain in my left shoulder, and oozing from my incision, which was corrected with a very painful treatment of having a sharp stick poked into the incision but it did stop the oozing and it never returned.

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 am feeling better every day. My weight is already coming off. Getting rid of the tube tomorrow and looking forward to my weigh in to see how much I lost already.

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

Being home from the hospital means that you have to remember to eat three times a day, drink constantly until you eat and then to wait 90 minutes to drink after you eat, use the spiriometer as many times as you can, to do leg exercises often, and to follow your doctor's recommendations.

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

I really did not have to travel at all. My parents took me back and forth to the hospital. Their place, where I stayed the night before my surgery and then for a week to recouperate, is only a couple of miles from the hospital.

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 am on the second week of my pureed food diet. I have pureed beef, chicken, fish, cottage cheese, and eggs. That is all I will eat til August 14th when I can start to eat solid foods. Now it is six months since surgery. Foods fried in oil or sauteed make me gag and anything with starch such as pasta or potatoes or bread blow my pouch up considerably and make me bloated and sick. My tolerence for foods with carbs has improved somewhat. Fruit is still out of the question. Several weeks ago, I had a very small piece of cantelope and it made me sick.

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

After 8 days, I could drive and I can walk over a mile without any pain. Will start linedancing in another week. After six months, I have alot more energy. I walk alot more and with ease. My dancing has improved soo much it isn't funny but it is great.

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

I take my perscription medicines, a Pepsid pill, and a potassium tablet. Can't take vitamins until a month after surgery. After six months, I take Centrum multivitamins on a daily basis.

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?

Had problems sleeping but getting better. Sleep apnea is gone. Six month point: Hair loss was last month but getting better now. No more co morbidities at all.

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

Insensative nurses who don't know what they are doing, all the blood tests, lack of sleep, and when my incision oozed, the surgeon on duty probed it with a sharp stick. TALK ABOUT PAIN!!!!!

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

My surgeon's office has a support group in four cities. I am going to two of them. They also have a dietition available with nutrition classes at one, three, six, and twelve months after surgery. They have alot of other support for after surgery and before surgery as well.

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

It goes from just below my breastbone, to just above my navel. It is what I expected but it is healing very quickly. My surgeon is very good with the stitches. Only problem is where other surgeon had to use sharp stick to remove oozing during second day after surgery. Scar looks worse than other sections of incision but it is healing nicely. Will need vitamin E to help healing go quicker.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None yet. Still none after six months.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Those who had surgery are treating me alot better. Received alot of compliments. Recently attended a friend's party and they almost did not recognize me due to the weight that I have lost. It's incredible how much better I feel. I receive compliments daily from family and friends. Last week, my own brother did not recognize me at all.