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

I was doing a search on the internet about morbid obesity, and was faced with MANY sites about WLS. I thought i would like to have it done, but was unsure about whether i could have it done or not - I live in Canada, and with public health care, a lot of fairly common surgeries are not covered or available at all. I continued my research, and here I am :)

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

In Canada, as long as the surgeon deems surgery medically necessary, it woill be covered, it was not an issue for me.

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

I went very prepared, but took the time to listen to what he had to say. He is a very intelligent man, but lacks conversational skills, so I found it tough to talk to him, although i had every confidence in his skills and aptitude to do the surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was waffling until one incident while i was out for dinner with my mom. I knocked my napkin to the floor, and when I tried to pick it up, i stood up, and the chair caught on my hips, I knocked my drink to the floor, and the glass shattered, I was mortified. It was that moment that I decided i would NEVER allow myself to continue on this path.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I looked at the success rates for VBG, RNY, and duodenal switch. although DS and RNY have comparable success rates, the DS has more long term side effects, and I know a woman whose siblings have had the surgery and they are having a rough time with side effects, so the RNY seemed the right one for me.

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 had all the regular fears - i wouldn't wake, I would die in hospital, I would throw a clot. I did my best to take care of myself, told everyone in my life how special they were to me before surgery, got things in order just in case, but the most important thing to remember is that no matter how good care you take, these things do rarely happen, and you need to be prepared. Take note, obesity complicates every aspect of the 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?

Everyone has been supportive (of those i chose to tell). However, my mother took it upon herself to tell everyone in the family (I wasn't going to share). I can't wait for christmas, no one except my mom and stepdad has seen me since before surgery.

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

I was a stay at home mom, and worked casually for myself, so it wasn't an issue for me.

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 13 days, a little longer than the standard for my surgeon of 10 days, but it went well. I barely used anything i brought, so the best thing for me was my toothbrush - I was brushing my teeth 4 or 5 times a day.

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

The only complication I have experienced was in the hospital (my g-tube was not in my stomach, so fluids were going into the tissues) but once it was moved (unpleasant) the problems resolved. Since surgery, i have been having problems with my blood pressure, but that is still being investigated

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 anxious, had to arrange child care, and deal with a husband that worked nights, I only had 3 weeks to pull it al together. However, it all went well, and things turned out for the best. My sister even took a week off work and had my son go to stay with her while my husband was working.

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

I was up to my old activities within a week, but the lifting restrictions were tough. I still experienced a litle incisional pain and tenderness for about 4 weeks post op, but everythinng has since resolved.

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

my surgeon was on the other side of town - about 1.5 hours on public transit, so, although it was inconvenient, it was not insurmountable.

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 have not rediscovered anything I can eat, I am still on a list of cannots. Currently, I can't tolerate red meat, poultry, shellfish, dairy, raw vegetables, refined sugar, fruit, fruit juice, pasta, rice or bread. However, I am only 3 months out at this point, so I am sure things will change.

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

I was a little fatigued until about 3 weeks post op, then the activity level skyrocketed. I am feeling great right now, and have all the energy I could ever want.

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

2 flinstones sugar free chewables, 1000mg elemental calcium, and 100 mg elemental iron. No protein supplements as of this point - I am allergic to soy, and don't tolerate dairy, so most of the supplements are out.

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 still experience nausea and vomiting if I eat something that doesn't agree with me, I dump on sugars and fruit, and the hair loss has started. I also con't sleep through the night, but that is a thirst thing, so I keep a sports bottle of water beside the bed. I know these side effects can be expected, so they don't get me down.

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

definitely my g-tube. I didn't really mind having it, but it was improperly placed to begin with, and as a result, I had to have it moved in order to use it. Once it was in place, (and the stitch wrapped around it was removed) I had no complaints about it.

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

I have nothing but this site, and it has been my saving grace.

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

I have a 12" long scar that goes from my sternum to my navel - pretty much what i was expecting. I also have 3 little scars from drains and g-tube, as well as a small one on my neck from the Internal Jugular IV. It is thick in places, and faint in others, but it will fade over time, I am only 8 weeks out now.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have plateaued twice, once for 2 weeks, and the other time for 10 days. at the end of both plateaus, I dropped 2 or three lbs overnight.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

The only reason people are treating me differently is the fact that I am acting differently - more confident, less shy.