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

I first found out about it through my family doctor. He told me I was killing myself with this weight. I pretty much ignored him at first because he has a thing again excess weight. I personally know his family and he thinks his daughter needs to lose weight and she is about 5'7" tall and weighs around 120 pounds! So at first I was thinking, "Here we go again". But he was persistent so I started checking out information on internet.

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

I was very lucky as far as getting approval. My family doctor started the ball rolling and as soon as I decided where to have my surgery the surgeon sent in the rest of the information they needed. About 3 to 4 weeks later I got the approval letter in the mail. If you are really serious about having the surgery. I would advise you to not give up. Try everything you can to get the approval of the insurance company.

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

My surgeon is Dr. John Huse out of St. Vincent's in Carmel, IN. I met him for the first time when I went for the information/evaluation at the Bariatric Center. They assign the doctors unless you have a specific preference. Dr. Huse met with us first as a group and described the various procedures in detail. He then went on to explain which procedure was best for different types of patients. He was very informative but seemed reserved. After the general meeting we got to meet with him one on one. He answered all my questions completely and seemed very straightforward in his answers. I did not get a real feeling as to his "bedside manner" as yet. I would suggest that you write down any and all questions you may have and don't be afraid to ask them. This is an important decision. No question is too silly when it comes to your health.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had to get real with myself. I kept trying to convince myself that if I really stuck with a diet that I could do it myself. But then I had to sit down and really think about all the diets I have tried in the past and failed. I knew that if I didn't have this surgery I would not be able to do it on my own. Because of my deteriorating health conditions I knew in my heart that this was going to be my only chance at having some quality of life in the future.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided to have open RNY done for 2 reasons. First my approval time was running out for insurance and the only open scheduling spots were for open procedures. I decided to go ahead because I didn't want to start all over getting approved by insurance. Secondly, I felt that by having the open procedure the chances of something going wrong might be less since the surgeon can see what he is doing better.

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 did have some fears about something going wrong but I work in a hospital myself and I know that any surgery has risks. I felt that the benefits I would receive far outweighed any risks there might be. I was more scared that it wouldn't work and I wouldn't lose any weight. I think that was because of all the diet failures and regaining weight in the past. I would tell people that they need to weigh the pros and cons of the procedure. It is such a personal decision and what is right for one may not be right for all. I took 6 months to decided to go ahead with 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 family and friends were for the most part supportive of my decision. I had some family members that would have disapproved and I did not tell them I was having surgery until the very last minute. I did not want their negativity to affect my emotions during surgery and afterwards. It's my life and they can give their opinions but I don't have to listen. My husband, children and mother were all extremely supportive and still are.

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

My employer was fine with my decision. My supervisor is very health conscious anyway so she was okay also. I didn't have any problems with them.

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

My stay in the hospital was on the whole very good. I had some trouble breathing the first night after surgery but the staff was right there and took care of everything. The nurses were all very nice and courteous and did not act like it was bothering them when I called for help. I didn't bring a lot to the hospital besides the usual toiletries. I was too tired to read and even fell asleep while the tv was on.

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

I have had to have my opening between the stomach and colon stretched 3 times. The last time the doctor removed a stitch and unknowingly ripped a hole in my stomach. I started hemorrhaging and the next day at work my blood pressure bottomed out and I almost passed out at work. They gave me IV's and transferred me to St. Vincent Carmel and my doctor came in and re-scoped me and cauterized the wound. I lost about 3 units of blood in all. Afterwards I was so tired for the next 2 weeks I could scarcely move. It's been almost 3 weeks now and I feel much better. I also have had problems with dehydration. I just can't seem to get enough fluids down. This in turn caused me to develop some kidney stones. Wow! Talk about pain!. I had to have a cystoscope and they broke up the stones with a laser. Hope I'm done with that.

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 still feel like it's not going to work. I worry all the time that I'm not losing fast enough or I'm going to gain it back. I'm not eating but about 3 ounces but I almost feel like it's too much. I could see how a person could become anorexic after surgery. I am obsessing about the amount of weight I lose. It's very hard for me to see the weight loss. When I look in the mirror I still look the same. The only way I'm coping with this anxiety so far is to just take one day at a time. It's very hard and I'm not doing too good at it so far.

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

My first few weeks were kind of boring. I didn't feel too bad. Not too much pain. I feel kind of like I was goofing off and needed to get busy doing something. I went back to work at 4 weeks postop. These weeks were a kind of training period to get used to the very small meals and drink as much as you can. Mostly uneventful for me.

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

My surgery was in Indianapolis which is about an hours drive for me. It is inconvenient for the followup visits as I have to usually take time off from work for them. I don't like to drive on interstates and my husband has to take time off to take me. Luckily both of our employers are very understanding and there hasn't been a problem.

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.

At first all I had was liquids of course. I did okay with this. When they upped my diet to soft foods like cottage cheese and yogurt I had some problems. I don't like any of those kinds of foods. I basically existed on sugar free pudding, milk, and my protein shake and a little cheese. I can tell you that when I went back to the dietician and she asked what I was eating I almost cried when I told her. I was so sick of the same things. So far the only thing that I have not been able to tolerate have been eggs. I used to love them. Now the mere thought of them makes me ill. I also experience discomfort when I eat. It's a hard feeling to describe. Not really a feeling of food getting stuck. It's different. Almost like I'm really full with the first bite. I don't enjoy mealtimes at all. I only eat because I have too. It a real change from before surgery.

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

The only thing I have really done so far is walking. I am not nor will I ever be an exercise freak. Walking is the only thing that I have been able to make myself do.

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

I take a multivitamin with iron daily and have a B12 shot monthly. I drink a lot of milk so I am not currently taking calcium.

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?

The biggest side effect I have had is the vomiting when my opening between the stomach and colon narrows. I, thank God, have not experienced any dumping nor have I had any hair loss as yet. (at 2 months postop). The vomiting has improved since I had the scopes to stretch the opening. The only time I vomit now is if I take too big of bites or eat too fast or too much.

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

The complete change in eating. I no longer enjoy food at all. It is a chore. I really hate the fact that there are some foods that I will never be able to enjoy or even taste again - due to their sugar content. I know it is all mental and I have a long way to go to acceptance. Right now I have lost 40 lbs and even that does not seem to make it worthwhile as yet. Maybe when I get closer to goal my views will change. They may also change as I get to eat a little more and have more variety.

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

I do not belong to a support program. There are none that I know of in my area and I don't have the time it would require to drive that far and attend the meeting in Indianapolis. I get up at 5:30am for work and I would not get home to go to bed until 11 or so in the evening. I need more sleep than that. So far I have not missed the support groups too much, although it would be nice to have someone to talk to every once in a while that knows what your feeling and going through. I wish a group would start up in my area.

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

My scar is only about 4 inches long. I was ecstatic. I expected a much much larger scar. I was thrilled with the results. Dr. Huse is wonderful!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am currently in one at 2 months postop. It's very depressing. It's been almost 3 weeks since my last checkup and I have barely lost a pound in that time. What more can I do? I only get 3 ounces a meal and I don't eat that much most of the time.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not as yet. I haven't lost enough to make that big a difference in my appearance yet.