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

My step-sister had the same surgery (Duodenal Switch) about 20 months before I did. I saw the wonderful results she had and I decided to research it for myself.

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

I had virtually no problem getting a pre-approval. However, I have received notice that my insurance company had denied the claim after the fact. I now have to let my benefits representative at work make a few phone calls to settle the matter.

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

I took my boyfriend with me and since I already felt well-educated about the procedure, the first visit was very reassuring.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was sick & tired of feeling fat, sick, & tired.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I talked to my step-sister who had already had the procedure and she highly recommended the doudenal switch.

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 had 2 surgeries in 2000 for stage 1 ovarian cancer. The risk was the same as those 2 surgeries and instead of gaining weight while recovering, I knew I'd be losing weight instead. That was a huge motivator for me after learning that my weight was what put me at higher risk for the ovarian cancer in the first place.

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 had already been through the experience with my step-sister. A few of my friends had concerns at first, but once they learned how educated I was about the procedure and that I needed their support instead of their criticism, they backed me 100%.

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

I only told 2 co-workers before I left for the surgery. I am in the middle of my 6 week (or 8 week) leave and I work in a union shop so I have to clear through the medical department. My supervisor never needs to know why I was off work. However, I am proud of my decision to have the surgery, so I have no plans on hiding that fact after I go back to work and people notice my continuing weight loss.

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

My surgery was on Monday and I was released that Thursday. The staff was very professional and I really have no complaints. Especially after the nurse practitioner ordered Toradol for me. What a Godsend!

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

I had no complications to speak of. Only severe diarrhea the day after I was released due to the bombardment of antibiotics via I.V. in the hospital.

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 suffered severe insomnia in the month prior to my surgery. I was so anxious for the date to arrive that it affected my ability to go to sleep at a decent time and get up for work. So, my primary care physician started my medical leave 3 weeks early so I wouldn't jeopardize my job.

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

My boyfriend and I have been having problems because he doesn't understand my fatigue, grumpiness, and bouts of depression that are following this surgery. However, I think he has his own issues he needs to work out that have nothing to do with my surgery. Everyone else has been supportive. We have since broken up due to his not understanding what I was going through post-op.

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

Not far...about 10 miles.

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, I couldn't handle dairy. I still can't handle white flour or too much sugar. I'm told that my diet will get better as I go on and my stomach heals. At 3 months post-op, I can eat just about anything I want. Only, not as much as I could before.

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

Within 1 week I was walking around stores. After I got my staples out 15 days post-op things got MUCH better. My incision had stopped draining by then and I had more energy. Each day gets better and better! I'm also sleeping a lot better. I just need to get my days & nights reversed back to the way they should be.

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

Twinlab Allergy Vitamin A & D Twinlab Allergy Vitamin D Chewable multivitamin Calcium Citrate Isopure Zero Carb Dietary Supplement (12 oz glass bottle)

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?

Gas & bloating pain was the worst for me so far. Only if I ate the wrong foods, though. Then I paid the price.

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

The pain for the first week. After that, it became more tolerable and now, 4 weeks post-op, I barely remember the pain I was in just 2 weeks ago. Each day gets better! At 3 months post-op, I have no pain at all.

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

My surgeon has a support group run by his nurse called Bariatric Bunch. I went to 3 meetings pre-op and I was hooked! I look forward to attending the meetings because they are so fun as well as informative. Now, my mom is scheduled for surgery on April 23rd!! I'm so excited for her. She's attended one support group meeting with me and I can't wait for her new life to begin.

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

I wasn't expecting my incision to run south of my belly button and meet up with my ovarian surgery scar...but Dr. Hares repaired an umbilical hernia I've had since I was pregnant with my 8-year-old son. That seems to be where I am experiencing the most discomfort lately. The rest of my incision is basically pain-free!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had a plateau at -25 pounds around 2 weeks post-op...but I'm now at -35 pounds at 4 weeks post-op. One day at a time. At 3 months out, I'm down about 61-62 pounds. I've had my share of plateaus, but fortunately for me they haven't lasted very long. Also, I haven't had the massive hair-loss that I was warned about. I'll keep my fingers crossed that I continue to be so fortunate.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Absolutely. I've noticed a few guys checking me out! I've got 65 more pounds to go (maybe more if things go well!) I'm told I'll be fending men off with a bat by then! lol Just kidding. At 3 1/2 months out, and 60+ pounds down, I have a new boyfriend who notices that other guys ARE checking me out. lol I'm not letting it go to my head, though.