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

My best friend first told me about bariatric surgery and we looked up some information about it. Then my family doctor suggested it after many attempts at weight loss with no success. My first impression was "how can I put my family through this?". But then I also began to think of the fact that if I didnt do something soon, that I may not be here for my son or the rest of my family and that was an even more horrible thought.

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

The insurance I originally had at the begginning of my journy was state paid insurance. They made getting the tests I needed to have done very hard and they were quick to deny me. When I turned in the extra paperwork they wanted, they took their sweet time and kept losing my paperwork. Finally I switched to my husbands insurance and two days after getting my paperwork,(only having them for insurance for less then a month) they approved me. My advice is to really investigate the coverage for this type of surgery, call and ask for a copy of their requirements for it.

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

I was nervous for my first meeting with my surgeon. I was afraid that even with how overweight I was and the other health problems I had that he would think I was too big of a risk for the surgery. I got onto the obesityhelp.com website and got a list of questions to ask the surgeon, so that I could write everything down and be fully prepared. That helped out alot!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I decided that this was my final solution and I wanted to be here to see my son grow up. I knew if I didnt do something soon that I wouldnt be. That was what gave me the final push to start this process.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I went with the procedure that my surgeon did. He had come highly recomended by my family doctor whom I trust, so I just went with what their program did.

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 didnt really have any fears about complications. I just wanted to make it through surgery. I checked out the hospital as far as their ratios on complications and deaths and was very comforted with the fact that they had not had many problems at all since their program started. I would suggest asking the surgeon and do other checking into for their ratios on complications and deaths. After checking all this out I was much more at ease.

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 worried with this being a very major surgery, but they were very supportive in my decision and have stood behind me the entire way.

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

I was not working when I had surgery, because I simply could not work, so I didnt have to worry about that.

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

My hospital stay felt like forever. I was only in the hospital two days, but it was in ICU the whole time because they had no regular rooms available. It always seemed as I was finally getting some sleep, someone would be in to wake me up and bother me. I would suggest some good slippers and nightclothes and a robe to feel comfortable. The slippers because you do lots of walking! I would also suggest a couple books or magazines or something else to do. I also had a picture of my grandmother who had passed away a little over a week previous on my bedside table for comfort.

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

I had no complications at all.

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

Just after I got my surgery date my grandmother passed away, so the nerves didnt really hit me till after. My only anxiety was making it through surgery. I just tried to do other things and not concentrate on the surgery, that helped to lessen the anxiety, until surgery morning anyways!

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

My first few weeks were painfull, especially when you cough. Make sure to hold a pillow over your tummy, it helps. My mom was here to help take care of me though so that helped and I slept in a recliner, because laying flat on the bed was horrible. Expect some pain and to be uncomfortable, they just rearranged your insides!

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

The center I had surgery at was about fifteen minutes from my house. So not far at all.

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.

From the day after surgery till day ten all I was able to have was water, broth and sugar free jello. You get sick of it quick! Day 11-21 after surgery I got to add Crystal Light, Propel, Sugar Free Diet Drinks, your protein, Skim Milk, Cottage Cheese, Egss and Refried Beans. My stomach HATED the refried beans and I got so sick of the jello. Day 22-31 I got to add Turkey, Chicken, Yogurt(artificially sweetened, low fat, plain or non fat), Soft Fish, Tofu, String Cheese, Lentil, Split Pea, Black Bean, Miso or Egg Drop Soup. My stomach has yet to accept fish, I hate tofu, I do ok with the yogurt and the string cheese. I am still also working on the turkey and chicken. At week 5 I was able to add Calves Liver, Peanut Butter(natural style), Cheese(nonfat, low fat), Bananas and any other non citrus fruits, Asparagus, Carrots, Mushrooms, Beets, Cauliflower, Spinach, Broccoli, Green Beans and Squash. I have done real good with the cheese and peanut butter. I do good with bananas, carrots, cauliflower and broccoli too. I dont eat the other vegetables. That is where I am at right now for food, I dont add anything new until my fifth month.

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

My activity level was still pretty low the first couple of weeks after surgery. Once I got both my drains out I felt much better and became more active week to week.

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

I have been taking Prevacid, Tums for the Calcium, Bugs Bunny Sugar Free Chewables for my multivitamin, Iron and a B12 liquid. I am currently using Isopure for my protein supplement.

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 nausia for almost the entire time since surgery, it went away a week or so ago. I have had some dumping since surgery because of something my stomach didnt like or eating a little too much. I would say the dumping though is the worst. During dumping I would put a cool washcloth on my head and sit somewhere that was quiet and dark.

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

I think the worst part is the drains. I was so ready to get them out.

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

Mercy Center for Weight Reduction and Mercy Capital has a monthly support group that is very good and is really important to go to. It helps you to know that there are others going through or have gone through the same things you are.

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

My scars are still very visible, but I am only about 8 weeks out, I expected them to last for awhile.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had a couple weeks where I lost alot and some not so much, but it depends on how close you stick to what you are eating and how much walking and exercise you do.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I have noticed it a little. My family has been really excited and great about the weight I have lost and they tell me each time they see me how different I look.