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

My husbands cousin told me about lap band and we went to a talk about it. A few family members of my husband had WLS and was successful with it.

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

My approval came through the first time. My advice would be to be persistent and do everything that they ask for. It just depends on how dedicated you are to something. My motto is the squeaky wheel gets the oil.

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

I was kind of afraid on my first visit. I took my best friend with me to ask questions that I didn't think of. I am glad that I did. My suggestion is to take a friend, write down questions as you think of them or as I did, do both.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I got sick and tired of being sick and tired and thought that now is the time for me to do something for myself. I had several major health problems and was so tired of insulin, and not being abole to get around because of having major back problems. I have a heart problem that the surgery won't get rid of but is going to make not advance so fast because of the weight.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I went into the doctor wanting a lap band because it was less invasive. The doctor told me that sometimes the people that you would think should have a less invasive procedure done needs the most invasive one. I went with the open RNY because that is what he suggested. I would lose weight faster and get off insulin sooner, and with the back problems some days I am not able to excersize and that is more forgiving with the gastric bypass than with lap band.

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 fear was the anticipation of the pain. I had never had stitches or staples. My pain tolerance is high but I was afraid that it wouldn't be high enough. My best advice would be to use the morphine pump. Use it when you are going to be getting up, when you turn over and when the pain starts to twinge. Stay on top of your pain and then you will be in control of it. Once you lose control of the pain it is hard to get control again. Also make your binder your close and personal friend. Wear it all the time. The only time you take it off is to shower. I wear mine to bed too. I would lay on the bed and loosen it but wouldn't get up. As time goes on you can sleep without it but I wouldn't advise you to walk around without for several weeks after 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?

I didn't tell a lot of people that I was looking into. I just didn't want another look of "Just another failure for her". When the approval came I started telling family and friends that I was going to do this. They were a bit aprehensive but I told them that my doctors all told me that it would be the best thing for me and they felt more comfortable with it. There was some who wasn't very happy about it but I thought about it and realized that they were my "eating buddies" and that was why. You have to change a lot of things about yourself. Your thinking of course is one the big ones. You have to do what you have to do for yourself, your health and your own happiness.

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

I was one of the lucky ones. I have been on disability for that past several years because of the health problems. Now I am just waiting until I can get back into the work force.

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

I was in the hospital for 8 days. The nurses were wonderful and very helpful to me. The would show me how to move so that it was easiest on me. Bring with you some magazines or books. I had forgot them and a couple of friends brought them up for me. I am so grateful for my friends support.

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

My only complication from surgery was that I wasn't able to take the fluids in when they were started. I just couldn't seem to get them down. The ones that I did stayed down but it was hard to get them down. The doctor took a second upper g.i. and there was more swelling than normal and so he put me on ice chips for 3 days and then things went more smoothly.

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 lucky. I went into the doctor and got a surgery date 12 days later. I was suppose to be on the liquid diet for 14 days but only got the 12. If I felt scared or something I would talk to my friends. They were helpful in just listening. I also got on the web site obesity help. com and made a lot of friends there. I got a lot of information and support from people that I have never met but think of as some very good friends.

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

Since I was 8 days out of surgery I was moving around pretty good. I was careful about my cat because she likes to lay on me. She seemed to understand. Just be careful not to pick up things to heavy because once you get home you are so use to doing things as normal and right at that time you just can't. As each day goes by things change and you feel stronger and stronger. You are anxious to get out with others.

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

I only had to travel about 30 minuets. My doctor and hospital are both by each other.

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.

One day my husband wanted sloppy joes for dinner. I use to love them. I was on the pureed part of the after surgery diet. I just knew that I could do those sloppy joes in the blender. He told me not to do it but I wouldn't listen and about 1/2 hour after eating some I got sick to my stomach. I didn't vomit but I just didn't feel good. I told my husband to remind of this when I get something stupid in my head.

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

My activity level just kept going up each day. There was days that I felt more tired than others but that was to be expected. I slept good and felt better each morning that I got up.

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

I take two chewable multi vitamins with iron a day. I also take 2 Citrical D a day and a vitamin B12 pill once a day.

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 had more nausea shortly after surgery. I would get something in the hospital for that. When I got home it would come and go at times but it was something that wouldn't last long. I haven't had any dumping, problems with sleeping or hair loss.

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

I think the worst part of the surgery was the anticipation of the whole thing. My mind would just get on something and run with it. Most of the time it was the pain involved which ended up not being near what I thought that it would be. If I had to do the whole thing over again I would and wouldn't bat any eye at doing it.

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

I have constant aftercare support from where I got my surgery. I will be able to go there for the rest of my life and it is all included. I think that is important. You sometimes need reinforcement. There is a monthly support group and that is great too. It always helps to have people that have walked in your shoes and are successful there to talk to. I have to learn from my mistakes and also from others.

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

My scar is about 10 inches long and what I expected. I am 53 years old and not out to win any beauty contests so I am not worried about it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I haven't gotten to one yet. I know that sometime I will and I will get through it. I know that it's something to expect with weight loss because I have spent my whole life dieting. Now I am on a life plan and it is something that I will have for the rest of my life.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

At this point most of the people are surprised that I have changed what bit that I have. I do notice a change but it seems like others see it more.