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

I had my first weight loss surgery over 5 years ago. I started thinking about weight loss surgery after watching a Montel Williams episode. I heard about the local program on a radio program and went to a seminar. I heard about my second weightloss surgery program through people who were having it done and sucessfully. I had been afraid of bypass surgery prior to that.

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

Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield will not in general tell you if you are preapproved before you have the surgery. I thought I might end up paying the whole amount. I didn't really have to fight too much though. They did initially decline paying everything. I called and argued and they took care of things. So over all I am happy. I am out a lot of money, but it could have been worse. Problem is most surgeons are not preferred providers. That cost them their money. Don't blame them. Luckily my surgeon was, but will not be in the future.

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

I went to meet Dr. Rod and attend his informational meeting at the same time. I thought the cost of the meeting and appointment were too steep, but that is ok. Just go and be open minded. Go to every surgeon in your areas meetings and be prepared to ask questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had lost down to 229 with my first surgery and kept most of that off. Then I started to regain the weight even though I really didn't see where anything was not right. I had 3 ankle surguries and had to change my job. My health was greatly compromised and I knew I would not diet again. I either had to do this and commit to it, or I had to accept a shortened painful life of being fat.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I went with the most successful surgery. I did not have bypass surgery 5 years ago because there were too many risks. Plus I had no reason to believe my gastroplasty would not work out for me. Now most surgeons don't even do those anymore...wonder why. I know why. And what is sad is I didn't even stretch my pouch. I still don't know exactly what went arry.

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?

You stand a 1 to 2 percent chance of dying and about a 12 percent chance of a major complication. Your odds are much higher if you are already sick or a super weight. I was relatively small (265). My odds were 6 fold that because I was a revision. I was willing to take that risk. My surgery lasted 5.5 hours compared to the 2.5 it normally takes. I was in the hospital for extra days (6 total days). I had fears, but once I made it past day 3 (or 4) when they know you probably will live, I felt pretty good about it. I didn't expect to end up with my main complication. I hurt my rotator cuff in the hospital, but it is getting better now. I do not regret 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?

I waited to tell most. I told my immediate family when I had a surgery date. I did not tell work until I returned to work. I told only my best friend. I didn't want other's opinions to influence this decision. And I expect support which I have gotten. Most though also rightly expressed concern.

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

I did not miss a bit of work. I did this over the summer. I returned to work only 2.5 weeks after my surgery. They were very understanding and supportive. They seem genuinely excited for me. Other than the occasional sweets being offered at work that I must decline, they have been great. Darn Krispy Cremes.

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

The most important thing to me about my hospital stay was that I had a private room. This was great. Also I was on a unit with the others having the same surgery, so I got to meet them and we rooted each other on. The nurses were mostly great. Some made me wait for over an hour for pain meds. This should never happen (I am a nurse). I had a bad experience in Radiology where I got stuck there in a wheel chair for over an hour waiting when I wasn't feeling very well. Other than that it was fine. I was there for pretty much a week. I had an elevated WBC and critically low potassium level and lots of extra fluid on me. So I got to stay to make sure all was ok. Bring any comfort items you may want. I did. This saved me paying the hospital for every item such as powder, shampoo, feminine hygiene products, etc.

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

My incision still has not healed completely. But it is almost there. It is still red and tender and has a softened enlarged area in the middle. My body is adjusting and I have cramps at times. I also have constipation, but can take MOM for that. I hurt my right arm and that was my biggest issue. Immediately after the surgery I had three days of diarrhea which was terrible. Viva was a lifesaver to help with that. Also be prepared. I put on 20 pounds during the surgery. Most do gain weight. (Water weight)

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 mourned food as most do. Particularly sugar. Then I got to the point that I hate the taste of fake sweet stuff like the drinks. I almost never have nausea. I do have cramps and many have lots of burping. I don't feel full often. I think that is something that is broke in me. I don't throw up. I can eat almost anything so far, but greasy stuff does make me feel kind of bad. I have not dumped, but I try hard to stay under 8 grams of sugar. I go to support group meetings and that helps. My family is great too.

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

Assuming you don't hurt your arm and spend two months in PT, you should be fine. Expect the most from yourself. I did not sleep in my bed for three weeks. I slept sitting up on my reclining couch. I am a go getter. That is my nature. I went back to work quickly. Many do not. However, I have not gotten as aggressive with the exercise as I hope to. I hate most exercises, but I must now make it a part of my life. The weight loss is great at first. It falls off daily, then tapers. Now I have to stop weighing daily. It is too disappointing. I am just glad to being going down in weight.

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

I drove 150 miles for my initial appt. But then my surgeon moved to Dallas which is an hour away for me. So that was great. I drove an hour for the surgery. I drive the hour to Dallas for my post op appts. I drive about 40 minutes to the midcities to go to my support group meetings. That is a pain, but I will do it anyway. I could not do the support group stuff after my first surgery. It was over 2 hours away. That was a bad thing.

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 heard such horror stories about throwing everything up when you get to solid foods. This has not happened to me. In some ways I wish I wasn't as tolerant as I am. I was like this after my other surgery too. For six full weeks I was on a very restricted diet. You are on full liquids for a few weeks and then you are on a soft limited diet for weeks after that. Then you can progressively add foods as you desire. However you are to always concentrate on proteins and try to stay low fat/low sugar. You should limit both due to dumping anyway. The only sugar I have had since my surgery is what is in a food naturally like in watermelon or what is in a Teddy Gram (You get 24 teddies for 8 gr of sugar). I felt queezy with chopped BBQ. Enchiladas was fine (Cheese) and so was most sugar free things such as ice cream. However I have to do that with Lactaid due to a milk intolerance. I do not like the protein supplements. They are all yucky. But you do what you have to do.

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

For the first few weeks I sat and cried with ice and heat on my shoulder. I couldn't move without pain. It was not my stomach that was the problem in or out of the hospital. Then about week 4 my stomach was reddened, painful and eventually started to drain. It still has a red patch that is very hard, but it is better. It is sensative but doesn't hurt as much. I can even lay on it temporarily. (Few moments). I am starting to exercise more. I plan to start swim exercise this week.

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

I take two multivitamins daily and one B complex. I have forgotten the b complex on occasion, but I try. I have bought some of the vitaball gum vitamins for when I am on the go. And since I don't care for taking pills, my other vitamin (MVI) is a children's chewable.

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 did have a little nausea. I only took Phenergan once or twice at most (Even then it was only half). I don't react well to it. I lost a little hair at first, but not much. I didnt' sleep well for about 5 weeks. It is better now. I have not dumped so far that I know of. I did have a bad night when I took a laxative. Very bad sweats and cramps and diarrhea.

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

Knowing I could still screw this up. I will do everything I can to not do that. Also knowing that I could have died and left my hubby without a wife. The cost is pretty bad too and worrying about the insurance. The hospital experience for me was not pleasant. For most it is not that big of a deal. And I miss food.

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

I go to a group in the Bedford area once a month. I think a group of your peers is essential. I would say your odds of doing as well are greatly reduced without a good support group.

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

I have an 8 inch scar. It is pretty much what I expected. When it heals more, I will start using vit E and such to help. Dr. Rod did clean up my old scar which was pretty bad. So that was nice. If you have had multiple abd surgeries or other weightloss surgery, you will get cut a good amount. It is ok.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had constipation. I think that contributes to the plateau. I noticed a very noticable slowing of weight loss when I started solid foods in week 6. I have to increase my activity if I want to continue lossing at a decent rate. Now I go days without loosing anything. Then I will lose inches and a few pounds at the end of the week.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People don't treat me differently yet. They have noticed I have lost weight (About 38 pounds). However, I don't look like I have lost that much weight. I carry my weight well.