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

My sister had a "mini" gastric bypass in 2001. I was highly skeptical.

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

My insurance company, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employees' Plan, was very easy to work with.

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

There was so much information! I was thankful that he gave me lots of material to read, and that he required me to take a month to consider the operation before he would schedule me for it. My best advice is for a person considering the surgery to keep a notebook handy and write down questions as they come to mind. Take that notebook to the first visit. It will serve two purposes: it will help you remember to ask all your questions, and it will give you an insight into how committed your surgeon is to giving you all the care you need (if s/he doesn't want to answer all the questions or gets irritated that you're asking so many, run like the wind!!).

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Finding a surgeon in my hometown, and one who provided a post-operative diet guideline that I felt I could live with.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I knew I wanted an RNY. The only question in my mind was open or lap...and since the only surgeon in my town who performs the surgery ONLY does the open procedure, the decision was made 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?

My biggest fear was the anesthesia. I now realize that I am at far greater risk of dying in an auto accident than of dying from 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?

My family was very supportive, as were my true friends. I heard from only one person who disagreed with my decision. I expected that, however, as that person was also someone who doesn't trust doctors or modern medicine, and believes only in using homeopathic remedies.

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

Since my job now is homeschooling my children, my bosses (the kids) were very happy for me and enjoy me much more now than before surgery!

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 from the day of surgery, Tuesday, until Friday afternoon. I don't remember much about the first couple of days other than I was EXTREMELY uncomfortable due to incisional pain. Also, the air conditioning in the hospital wasn't working well and, combined with the effects of the Morphine, I felt like I was burning up all the time. I took gowns with me to the hospital but they were unnecessary; with the IVs and drains I had the hospital gowns were more practical. The hospital staff was great. They did a great job of caring for me. My only problem was getting a shower; no one offered even a bed bath. Finally my Mom came to visit me in the hospital and helped me take a shower. I felt like a new woman!

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

No complications, thank God!

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

During the first two weeks I was amazingly weak. I felt BAD...worse than I ever felt after the three c-sections I'd undergone. I was weak, the incision hurt, and I generally felt like I'd been hit by a truck. After the second week my strength began to come back and I was able to walk significant distances...even went camping! Since then it's been a great journey.

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

HAVE SOMEONE AT HOME TO HELP YOU THROUGH THE FIRST TWO WEEKS, at LEAST! You will not feel like walking or cooking, and even going to the kitchen to get water is difficult. My doctor told me to walk an hour per day....HAH! I did WELL to walk 10 minutes per day for the first two weeks. BUT...that season DOES pass and will be replaced by your feeling the best you've felt in many, many years!

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

I traveled about 30 miles from home. That's not an unusual distance for us, considering where we live (in the mountains of NC).

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.

My surgeon's guidelines were pretty lenient. In fact, that is the primary reason I chose to have the surgery. He allowed me to have clear liquids immediately after my swallow study on day 2 of the hospital stay. I moved to soft foods the next day. By 3 weeks post-op he allowed me to move to solid foods because I was doing so well. I have a "thing" for diet sodas...and my surgeon allowed me to have them while in the hospital, so long as I let them sit for a bit and let some of the carbonation get out of them. I had postponed having surgery for 2 years because I thought I'd have to part ways with my Diet Dr.Peppers!

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

I was walking in the hospital hallway by day 3 post-op. By 3 weeks post-op I was walking 30 minutes per day. By 6 weeks post-op (and down almost 45 lbs) I was functioning better than I had BEFORE surgery.

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

My surgeon requires me to take a daily multivitamin, an iron supplement, and 1000 mcg of B-12 per day. I also used Carnation Instant Breakfast early on to get in my protein allowance.

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 vomit if I don't chew well or if I over-fill my pouch. (I'm currently 8 months post-op). I didn't lose hair until about the 5 month post-op stage, but when I did start losing it came out in clumps. Thankfully that only lasted for about a month.

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

The post-operative pain was bad. WAVES of spasms would begin at my sternum and make their way to my navel while I was in the hospital. Pain meds didn't do doodly-squat to help. After those were gone, I had to make peace with the fact that my best friend, food, could no longer be my focus in life. There is a period of grieving for that loss that I hadn't expected.

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

My surgeon has a support group which meets monthly at the hospital where I had surgery, but by far my greatest support group has been my family (my sister AND mom have had the surgery) and an online group at http://groups.msn.com/GastricBypassSupportCommunity. In the early months, especially, having a support group is vital. You NEED to be in touch with others who are going through the process in order to bounce ideas off them, calm fears in the middle of the night, or to help you during the grieving process post-op.

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

My scar is about 4 inches long and the marks from the 24 staples are pretty visible. I tend to scar easily, though, so I am not surprised.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had what I called "The Plateau from H-@-*-*" from mid-February till early April. During that time I didn't lose ANY weight. I was discouraged and tried most everything to start losing again but couldn't! Thankfully I have started the loss again, and have lost about 10 lbs in the past 2 weeks.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES! I can't tell you how amazing it is to see people who only knew me as obese, and watch the look in their eyes as they realize who I am. Also...the occasional double-take when I walk past someone is a great thing. It's nice to not feel invisible anymore!