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

I first found out about this last year when my neice had it done. I thought it was the lazy way out at first, and proceeded to beat myself up. As she recovered and started loosing weight I began to pay closer attention and to really take an objective point of view until I compiled ALL of the facts, both good and bad.

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

I was very blessed with insurance. I have Medicare and there is no need for preapproval at all.

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

It was great. Go in with a LONG list of questions!! You are putting your life in this persons hands(literally), donot be shy!!!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

After having compiled ALL of the facts, prayed, weighed all of the facts(pardon the pun), it became very clear that this was what I was supposed to do with the rest of my life. I didn't question myself until 5 days prior to surgery, which I think is very normal.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I , again, went over the facts VERY carefully!! And then talked to MANY people that had the different surgeries. Only then did I feel I could make an intelligent decision. I actually wanted to have the "Distal RNY", but the doctor I chose only did the "Proximal RNY"

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?

Of course I had those fears, I would worry about anyone who didn't at least think about it getting ready to have such a major surgery. I had the utmost faith in my doctor and his staff and God. This is a VERY scary thing to do and exceptionally brave. The risk you, as an obese person, take undergoing ANY major surgery is great. I guess you have to decide if the risk is worth it.

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 mother, whom I am very close too, thought I was being too "drastic" and that I should just go with the lesser risk surgery, VBG. After sending her MANY articles and posts and letters from my surgeon she came to support me all the way. The same with my husband and children. All want me to be able to move and be healthy. It is great to have such a wonderful family!!!

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

I took an extended leave of absence. I told my boss and the world exactly what I was having done. I was so excited no one could of stopped me. Only about 25% of the people I told responded negatively, and that was based on people they had heard of that had had the surgery 10 or more years ago.

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

My stay was pretty good, for a hospital. I was there 6 days. A brush, deodorant, slippers that you can just walk into. The hospital has everything you need really.

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

The only one I had was I did run a fever for the first 3 days and then the day I was supposed to go home I got the dry heaves really bad.

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 so elated noone could hold me down!!!! I didn't have the anxiety until right before surgery and then it was so bad I almost cancelled it.

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

The first week you move very slowly. The second and third week for me were horrible becuase I was so nauseus I dehydrated and had to have a bag of IV fluids. But the doc said that that happens sometimes during the second week. By the fourth week it had passed just like he said it would. I took my pain meds until the 5th week mainly at night because of the discomfort, not pain. I have found that my lower back is really bothering me alot more but don't know why. i was amazed at how quickly the weight started coming off and how full I was so easily, simply amazing!!!

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

only 30 minutes

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 couldn't tolerate cottage cheese, which I love, up until about the 4th week. I lived on saltines for about 2 weeks, just because nothing else settled in my stomach well. Peanut butter is something I cannot tolerate yet. Of course the good things don't work too well, like pizza!! No food are off limits to me currently. I am supposed to try anything I want to and learn by trial and error. Tolerances change from day to day, its really weird.

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

I managed to walk around the house mainly the first week. Then I got bored and went to the grocery store and rode the cart the first time. After that I walked the stores. I went to a water park last week and rode all the slides and alot of rides, I was shocked at my stamina as compared to before surgery. I do still tire if I don't take care of myself, but all in all even with the recovery, my activity level is more now than before.

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

SInce I returned from the hospital I have been taking 1000 mgs of calcium, tums w calcium to be exact, two sugar free bugs bunny multi-vitamins and a sublingual B-12. It took a while to learn how to get them all down but I have finally accomplished it!! YEAH!!! I really try and get my protein in, but am having a VERY hard time with it. The shakes are out because I don't like vanilla or chocolate.

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?

the nausea has been the worst. But, I think it is because I am having such a hard time remembering to CHEW CHEW CHEW!!! AND EAT SLOWLY!!! Trying to get the protein in is another major problem with me. Everything else is really great!! I am still coping with both one day at a time.

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

When they pulled out the NG tube and throwing up, being afraid when you did throw up you would tear something.

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

I belong to a wonderful support group in town and then online the OSSG lists are GREAT and this list that Eric Klien has developed has been a life saver of information both pre a post op. This is an integral part of recovering and loosing weight.

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

My scar is about 8 inches long. I expected it to be alot worse. It is nice and straight and healing beautifully.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I hit my first plateau around my 3rd month. Lasted about 2 weeks. It basically adjusted itself. Then it really slowed after I quit exercising. Of course my eating habits are not very good either so that doesn't help. I am almost 6 months(shy 4 days). I am still loosing just very slowly. I would do it again a million times over just for what I can accomplish now.