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

My friend had surgery in the mid 80s. She had gained all of her weight back and got sick often. At that time there was no way that I would consider surgery.

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

Mine was one of the fastest approvals, less than a week, but that was because of my health condition. I am a Type II diabetic with blood sugars running over 300 consistantly while administering four different types of insulin. The beginning stages of neuropathy were starting. My advise, find out what your insurance company wants up front and be your own project manager in gathering and checking the status of the gathering process. Call the insurance company, call the doctor's office. Do not wait for someone to do it for you. The staff have several hundred other patients needing attention too and a million tasks. If you dive in, you'll know what's happening and can keep things moving a little faster.

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

I went through the routine, but they didn't come across as being interested in my case. One year later, having battled diabetes for an entire year with no success, the situation changed. This is not out of the ordinary, now I needed help AND had the proof that insurance would rely on.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My diabetes. My sugars were still raging even though my Endocrinologist tried many different drugs and combos. My main thought was that I liked my feet and I didn't want to loose limbs, my eye sight or any other body function to this disease. Plus I had just gone through a rough year loosing my job (because of my health), and I have never been one that was sick or dependant on anyone. I had several scary moments during my fight with diabetes so I said one more time, I'll do the surgery. What else did I have to loose? My feet, no way.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I listened in to different doctor lectures. The first was Dr. Spivak who said (or something like this) if you have a permanent problem why not do a permanet solution? After listening to Dr. Marvin and Dr. G. Davis and Dr. R. Davis, I was pretty set with going with gastric bypass and not a band.

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?

Dying on the table, however I worked with many of the staff in the OR and they went the extra mile to make me happy. You'd think I'd be more worried about being naked in front of people I know. Why dying? Because I am not in control and had to trust everyone there.

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?

Even though I explained to my family, they didn't truly understand what was happening until just a few days before when they watched a special. They then asked me what type of surgery I was having and the look on their faces explained that they understood. I'm single, so I didn't have a husband, nor any children to converse with. This was my decision and my only expectation was that my family (parents and siblings) be there for me. I'm disappointed to say that one of my dearest friends, who had surgery before me was not there to support me. She never called to check on me or came to see me. It was a very sad event and I am still evaluating whether this is a friendship that is a healthy one.

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

I am fortunate to work for a very ethical employer. They helped me complete all the necessary paperwork for Short Term Disability, and when I was on MLOA, that was it. They respected my time off, never called me for anything work related. My manager phoned a few times to check on me and to see how I was feeling. And she threatened to take my email access away when I kept asking if I could read my email to have something to do. They were fabulous!!

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

The stay was fine. The staff were wonderful, very attentive and they were there when I needed help. My family was only there one night for a short visit and the rest of the time it was myself and the staff. One of my nurses Ms. George even gave me a mama hug my second morning because she knew I needed one. That was what I needed for the day.

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

Not from the surgery but from my diabetes. I was not a lucky candidate that came off their diabetic meds. My sugar went through the roof, which to me had no logic since all I was consuming was water, but the body does strange things. I ended up going back to the hospital because of my sugar levels, dehydration, vomiting, and a urinary tract infection. I was clawing to leave by the third day. The hospital was unsuccessful in getting my sugar under control so I immediately went to my endocrinologist who began working on me closely. Two weeks after this, someone turned my energy switch on and my blood sugars dropped dramatically. I am still on meds, but fighting to keep my blood sugar levels down has not been a problem. They are currently remaining below 180 instead of being over 300. YEAH!

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 was under the impression that by week 2 or 3 of recovery that I'd be feeling like a million bucks and back to normal. It took me about six weeks. EVERY ONE IS DIFFERENT!!!! This is so important to remember when you are recovering. I wish I had known this before surgery because I felt that I was a failure for the surgery.

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

The first few days my family waited on me hand and foot. My few trips up each day consisted of going to the bathroom. The fifth day home, I made myself start to get up and go to the kitchen to get things. I even walked around the drive way. Bath time was horrible. The first time I almost passed out. The second time we had a chair in the bathtub so I could sit and wash. I bathe every night and wanted my bath every night. It was exhausting but to me it was worth it because it relaxed my body. Slowly I improved. Each day improved.

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

About 25 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.

Meat like hard or dry meats. Ground beef was a little rough. Also pasta and rice. The crazy thing was I could eat the juice and beans off of chili, hot and sour soup (all of it, tofu, veggies, peppers, etc), and potatoes. This was rough being a diabetic because potatoes was the most tolerable item. I still have a little trouble with meat, but items like boiled shrimp, very wet, soft meats go down well.

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

Weeks 1 - 4 slug Weeks 5 - 6 Gym four times a week, 45 minutes a day It was like someone flipped a switch.

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

I do not like the chewables. They taste horrible. I cut vitamins in half and swallow them with no problem. I also found some Sublingual B-12 dots at Walmart that are tiny and so easy to swallow.

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?

Nausea the first three weeks from being on my feet too long. I kept doing short walks through out the day to build endurance on my feet. Coping - I cried some, bent my mother's ear, and prayed a lot or had a conversation with God. It was comforting.

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

The pain right after surgery. I wasn't expecting it to hurt like it did and I think that's because I psyched myself up to think that so I wouldn't be so afraid. I had very little anxiety about surgery. The moment they handed my my gown in preop was the first time I wanted to run and my heart started racing.

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

Methodist Hospital's support group. I can't visit often but the two times that I have it's been wonderful

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

They healed very nicely. The main entry point looked horrible after surgery, pretty mangled. I asked the surgeon what he did, that my stomach wasn't even anymore and he said it would smooth out on it's own and it did by the fourth week.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I'm on a plateau now but I think it's because I started working out. Muscle weight is more than fat weight so I think my body is adjusting.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES!!!!!!! But I don't think it's only from my physical changes but my attitude. I'm happier and always smiling which is inviting to people, not a grumpy frown.