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

My husband had it in 2004. I thought it was unnecesary to go to those lengths because I had not walked in his shoes, YET. So I declined when I could have had it then. Thought I could do it myself and that he was "taking the provebial easy, even lazy, way out". I thank life for not making me eat those words. I got my opprotunity after many dietary failures and was graced with success. His surgery and his surgeon (Dr. Naaman) were wonderful and he did very well. So I just had to try a while longer on my own.

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

I was fortunate. Great insurance, great doctor who made all the necessary referrals, work-up (which was extensive) went very well, and approval was prompt once that was completed. I was just in the right system at the right time. Start to finish was maybe 2 months.

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

I was referred by my physician to the only facility that my insurance would approve. I was just fortunate that the doctor who gave the presentation that day was my surgeon. I immediately could see how knowlegable he was about the various surgeries and after the presentation to the group, he saw me one-on-one. He was honest and forthright about answering my fears and misconceptions. He recommended the surgery that he felt would best help me meet my goals. Be honest about what you want to accomplish and be willing to listen to your surgeon's recommendations. Have any fears or questions written down so you won't forget. They are busy and you may not get another chance to cover it.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My surgeon's confidence in the procedure and possible outcomes.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon's recommendation based on my specific needs and hopes for my future.

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 afraid. I was afraid that my outcome would not be as good as my husband's 5 years earlier. I was afraid I was now too old. I was afraid of such a radical surgery. I told my surgeon all my fears and he gave me his honest appraisal of the fears and possibilities. My fear dissapated as I continued through the process and saw that my labs, heart, gastro system, etc was normal and even good for a person of my age. I went in with a positive attitude that my surgeon's honest assessment and my husband's support helped me to have.

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?

Everyone has been so supportive, family, friends, husband, doctors. No one has said one negative thing to me. I have made the entire process public in hopes that others needing this help will be brave enough to go for it. The change in your quality of life is phenominal.

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

We moved so I was not employed when I actually had the surgery. I have been off work ever since I had the surgery (5 months) but now am taking a new job. It will be my choice whether I reveal that I have had the surgery to my new co-workers but if the need is there I will talk about it!

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

I attended the information seminars on 4 different occasions before I finally decided on the surgery. They all helped in the final analysis. I think the one that I attended that was put on by Methodist (Dr. Garth Davis) was the very best, most formal presentation, and to a very large group of patients. The final presentation made by my surgeon was small and informal but won me over due to his confidence in the procedure and outcomes.

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

I stayed in the hospital for two days post RNY. Went home the morning of the third day. They get you on your feet right after recovery. I transferred myself to my bed in my room rather than wait for more assistance. With their help it was easy. That afternoon I began walking on the unit. The nurses were just great and I was not even on the bariatric floor! They were short of rooms and I was on the surgical floor but you would never have known it.

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

No complications. When I woke up my surgeon was there and I said, "I am so glad we did this surgery!" And he laughed and said, "How do you know, you just woke up!" I just knew.

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 went to therapy sessions as part of the requirements of the program, both psychotherapy (with and without my spouse) and dietary counseling (with and without my spouse). This really helped as well as both of us meeting with my surgeon.

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

Couldn't get comfortable without a pillow behind my back. It was a while before I could vacate my bowels, so that was a bit uncomfortable. I took liquid pain meds for a couple of weeks and then stopped. Crushing the pills (you take something for your gall bladder and stomach acid) was tedious. Tried mixing it with jello which worked. Getting enough fluids in was a challenge. I ate jello and did beef/chicken broth - wish I had done popsicles!! That would have helped. Get something comfortable to wear and keep your liquid snacks coming! Find someplace comfortable to sit and don't expect others to understand things that make you comfortable. These few weeks are all about YOU )) Everything tasted nasty for a while especially water so I tried everything to flavor water: Crystal Lite, Kool-Aid, etc Even the protein powders tasted nasty (make then thin, ok?) so I tried about 30 protein powders. By the third month that had all settled down. I really don't see how my husband went back to work at week 3.

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

I had to travel about 250 miles to have my surgery. It affected my aftercare but would not have done so had we not moved. We moved shortly after my surgery so I never had a follow up visit with my surgeon. The doctors where I moved have handled (very well) my follow-up needs and labs. A bariatric surgeon here was kind enough to tell my doc which labs I would need and why. That was above the call in my opinion but nice. Had I had problems post surgery I would have had to make other arrangements to stay near the hospital and that would have changed things.

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.

When I first came home from surgery and for the following two weeks I only had liquids such as broths and flavored waters. Jello was a Godsend. First food I had after that was protein powder mixed with milk/water and Jello instant pudding. I also tolerated cottage cheese and Laughing Cow cheese at about 4 or 5 weeks. I don't think I will ever eat cottage cheese or Laughing Cow again! After that, I added soft scrambled eggs (very soft), ricotta cheese and soft foods like some soups with unflavored protein powder in them. I always chewed and chewed some more. Never blended foods, just really chewed them well. You have to be dedicated to chewing. When it was time to try more solid food, I mashed things up. Mashed up chicken in the broth or mashed up meatballs in the tomato sauce then chewed. There are websites (like bariatriceating.com) that have lists of food at various stages and recipes. Just Google for bariatric diets, etc. Because you will get bored with food but you don't have to. Variety is key. Also experiment with flavors of protein powder. I know shakes are not recommended for life but I find it difficult to get 70 grams or more of protein each day without making a nice shake for at least one meal. That is 25 to 50 grams of high quality protein in one meal. I have not, at 5 months out, found any food that I could not eat. I eat lean meats, assorted cooked veggies, salads chewed well, some fruits - mostly a little in my shakes for flavor, cheeses, some nuts and seeds chewed well, and no potatoes, white flour or empty calorie foods. Milk products have really been good for me (I drink goats milk). I don't stress over fat content but don't slather things in butter either. I think not stressing out over food makes you feel more normal in the small amounts that you do eat. And please don't even think about sugar! It's out of your life forever so find a sweetener or two that you can love and bake with (almond flour is great for a white flour substitute) and sweeten your green tea with! If you will remember that one rule, you will not dump. Unless you break said rule )

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

I tried to walk a bit because it helped with the bowels. As soon as I was able to walk distances, I went shopping in malls! I also walked on the track at the school. I am just now (at 5 months post) joining a gym.

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

Critical supplies: Chewable or liquid multi-vitamins (get bariatric if that seems important to you - I get my liquids from the healthfood store) Minerals (liquid or chewable) Don't scrimp here! Get them! Extra Calcium citrate (chocolate, chewable yum) C and D (cherry chewable at Wal-Mart) Protein powders (try a few ...they have great sample packs at enjoyhealth.com and I get Click from GNC, I miss coffee) Fibre (in my case, I take organic ground flax powder to put into my shakes) B-12 (I use the melt in your mouth mint flavored sheets) Iron (don't take it the same time as your calcium!!) CoQ10 - for my skin and gums (poke a hole and put it in your shake!) The list can go on - how much money do you have available? But these are the major items. You may need to add biotin or silica hair formula if you start to lose hair at the 3rd or 4th month. I did.

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?

Dry skin still is bad. Sleep disturbance was helped with minerals like cal and mag.once the surgical discomfort ended. Hair loss was bad but I took a hair formula in a shake and it is subsiding now. I had to go to an expert in hair loss for a special cut.

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

The skin problems. I hope working out helps. My angel recommended Eucirin cream. I may need some plastic surgery but I am only half-way to my goal at present so we will see how my skin bounces back. I am sorry I do not have any sage advice for those with dumping or other more serious issues. You have to create a new life with no sugar or many starches but it's not bad if you get creative. I do not want to sound trite for those of my dear WLS family that are having serious problems with their surgical sites or other major issues. I have a dear friend with nerve ending issues. I feel for and pray for you. I realize I am lucky and blessed beyond all words.

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

I have a WLS support group here at the hospital. It is OK and there is another one nearby that I want to try. People have been nice although RNY is not that common here - long waiting list. More lapbands. But we try to share clothing and information. It's about the comraderie.

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

Minimal and fading. I didn't have any problems with scars, expected it and feel it's little price to pay.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Plateaus have been common in my experience. Have at least one long one each month. I just have to trust the process and chill out instead of weighing daily. I try not to!! And sometimes fail! I wish I had measured but my clothing sizes have dropped more consistently than my scale weight. I just know that if I do the right things, it will come. I am trying to make the most of the first few months after surgery as that was the advice )

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, but then again I live where no one knew me before. I really can't address this. People that did know me before seem to be very happy and proud of me. People who knew me when I first moved here are surprised when I run into them again.