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

I had heard about bariatric surgery years ago and never thought I would get it, because I thought it was too drastic of a measure. But after trying for 20 years to take off weight, I finally figured I needed to take drastic measures.

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

I had no problems getting my insurance to approve my surgery. I had all my papers in order. I had letters from my primary doctor and rheumatologist. I also had a complete diet record for the last 20 years. My best advise is to have all your paper work completed before you apply to the insurance.

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

My first visit with the surgeon was informative. I didn't have to ask too many questions because I was the fifth person in my family to get the surgery so I was pretty familiar with the procedure. My advise is for you to make a list of questions before you go in to meet with your surgeon.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When my arthritis in my spine started to accelerate and I developed high blood pressure.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I pretty much knew I wanted to do open RNY because of all the people who I knew already had it and had good results.

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 was scared to death the week before the surgery, but then I realized that if I didn't get the surgery my quality of life was just going to deteriorate, so I had nothing to lose. I think the biggest thing to overcome fear is to have faith in your surgeon. I trusted Dr. Overcash with my life!

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 whole family has been very supportive and proud of me. I wouldn't change anything.

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

My employer was very supportive of my surgery. She was in on all the details from day one. I was out of work for 2 1/2 weeks.

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

My stay in the hospital was okay. The staff in the operating area were great. I was in the hospital for five days. The worst thing was the NG tube and that was just annoying more than anything. The first few days I had a lot of gas built up and I just kept walking and rocking to release it. The most important thing to bring? That's hard, I didn't need a whole lot while I was in there. The drugs kinda made it hard to concentrate on anything. I would suggest bringing a firm pillow to hold in front of your incision. That was really important.

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

No complications.

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 sure wasn't hungry for a long time. I still don't have much of an appetite. I didn't really have any anxiety other than hoping I was getting enough fluid in me. I was worried about my bowels getting blocked up. I found it hard to drink all the water they wanted me to the first couple of months. Now it is alot easier.

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

Make sure to keep yourself moving, walking is so important. Drink lots of water. You can expect soreness and difficulty laying flat. I had to spend the first six weeks sleeping with my back propped up by about 4 pillows.

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

I traveled about 90 miles for my surgery. It didn't affect my aftercare too much because I followed up with my primary doctor. I saw the surgeon two weeks after surgery to get my staples out and then again at the 6 week point and now every 3 months.

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.

The first six weeks I was on full liquids. I drank soups (cream and broth) with no extra bits in them, sugar free popsicles, sugar free jello, sugar free pudding, low fat and low sugar yogurt, cottage cheese and other liquids. When I started to eat solids I pretty much ate chicken and cheese, then tried adding other types of meat and fish. I am now 5 months post op and I still don't eat beef and very little pork. I eat very little sugar, no bread (I can't handle it and it's a waste of my stomach space). If I have to eat carbs I try to eat a little veggies or fruit. I went from being lactose intolerant before the surgery to being able to tolerate dairy products now. Sometimes I can eat something one day and the next day it will make me sick.

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

I did a little walking and after 6 weeks started doing water aerobics. Now I work out at a gym 3 times a week. I still can't walk alot because of the problems I have with my feet swelling. This is a result of my Lupus, so I try to do activities that don't involve me having to stay on my feet for long periods of time.

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

At first I was taking two Sugar Free Tums a day for my calcium and two children's chewable vitamins. I'm still taking the children's chewables, but after 4 months switched to calcium citrate for my calcium.

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 haven't had too many side effects. I had nausea for the first couple weeks after the surgery and I think most of that was the pain medication. Vomiting very rarely, usually when I eat too fast. I have only dumped once or twice. My hair loss has been no worse than I usually have. I have already had surgery previously and have been in the hospital several times, so I believe the trauma from this surgery is not going to be affecting my hair loss too much.

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

Having to clean myself out the night before the surgery. I hated that.

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

I go to a once a month support group and I also belong to a couple of on line support groups. I believe it is very helpful, both pre op and post op. Pre op because you can obtain so much information from others and as a post op because you can be a source of information to others.

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

My scar is minimal, only about 4 inches. Its not as bad as I thought it would be.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had a couple of weeks about month 3 where I didn't lose any weight and I believe it was because I was starting to work out and my body was adjusting to the exercise.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I've had more men trying to pick me up ;)