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

The Internet has lead me to a lot of information, information that would have been hard and very timely to research using other means.

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

Even though I work in the health care industry, our insurance company has never covered weight loss programs, or bariatic procedures. I had pretty much decided that I would be self pay, and was financially figuring out how that would work for me. As our company went through our open enrollment for insurance coverage for the new year, they announced that they would begin offering coverage (partial) for bariatric procedures. Unfortunately, the insurance company does not cover the WLS I prefer, the Duodenal Switch (DS). After 3 appeals, I was back to self paying for my surgery.

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

It went very well. My physician was courteous and obviously very knowledgeable. I felt comfortable with him from the moment I met him.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

At 45 years old, I had grown to the conclusion that I just was not going to be able to lose weight, and keep it off, on my own. I have tried diets and programs, only to gain whatever amount of weight I had lost, and then some. I love to travel and want to get the most out of those opportunities when I can visit places. Walking and enjoying the full spectrum of experiences made me want to get healthier. I am single, as well, and do not have anyone to take care of me, I felt that my health would just continue to decline without intervention.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I read a lot of data and publications. I perused the message boards at Obesity Help and found out about the Duodenal Switch, which I had never heard of prior to doing research. I was intrigued by the lifestyle of those that had already had their DS and was impressed with the peer published success rate, short and long term, of this surgery.

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 strangely calm about the surgery. I had very few fears and surprisingly little anxiety. I had faith in my surgeon, in my surgery and in myself.

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?

I've had a lot of support from my family, from co-workers and from friends. My family was concerned, they wanted to know more about the surgery, as they had never heard of it before. I tried my best to educate and let them know that this is what I wanted.

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

I was out of work for 3 weeks. I was supposed to go back after 12 days, but had some hydration issues. My boss has been particularly supportive and kind to me about the surgery and work issues. I feel blessed to have the kind of support I have experienced with my co-workers.

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

The hospital was comfortable, the nurses very caring and helpful. I took sleep clothes, but never used them, instead it was much easier to use the gown and pajama bottoms provided. Lip balm is a must, as my lips were dry and sore for nearly the whole time there. I was in the hospital for 4 days, it was initially supposed to be 3 days, but do to some unusual drainage, I stayed an extra day.

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

I had some green tinted drainage in my drains, and therefore the surgeon recommended an additional days stay in the hospital. I was very disappointed to have to stay longer than expected, and because I was self pay, I was concerned about the additional cost.

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 had very little anxiety, about the actual surgery and/or recovery. I knew there would be pain and discomfort. I had confidence in my surgeon, so I wasn't particularly afraid of dying or having severe complications. In my mind, I knew this would be the best chance for me to regain my health and have a more positive future. I was excited about getting it all behind me.

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

I was very tired and took naps every day for 2 weeks. I had a very difficult time with getting enough food and water in me, I had no desire for either and this caused me some hydration issues. After the 3rd week, I returned to work, and felt decent, but not great. At about 5 weeks I felt much more like myself. By 2 months my energy level began to increase.

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

I was fortunate to have my surgery and surgeon within a 15 minute drive.

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 had a very difficult time with liquids and foods for quite some time following surgery. My tastes have changes significantly. Things I enjoyed pre-op (meats, eggs, etc) held no interest for me, and in fact made me ill even considering them. This has lasted for about 3 1/2 months, and is slowly improving. I am able to do water better. I do drink daily protein shakes to get enough protein in me, as my restriction and general uninterest in food doesn't allow me enough protein just through my meals.

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

I would walk around the house, and occasionally the neighborhood for the first few weeks after surgery. I haven't started on an exercise schedule as yet, but have every intention of doing so. I do walk a lot at work and feel more energetic in doing so as I have been losing weight.

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

I drink at least one protein drink a day and try for 64 oz of water. I take A, D, E, K, Calcium, biotin, and 1-a-day vitamins on a daily basis.

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?

At 4-months out from surgery, I am now losing hair. It's discouraging, but something I knew would happen. I do not know how long it will last, but I am taking biotin daily, and using Nexium products in my hair to help minimize the damage, and help with new growth. I had very little issues following surgery, no nausea, no vomiting. I did have to sleep on my back, which was very uncomfortable, for about 3 weeks, due to drains I had to take home with me, as well as pain from trying to sleep on my side.

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

Food and water intolerance was very much unexpected. I had counted on certain foods and liquids to help me with getting protein and hydration, but after surgery I found an intolerance for most foods and with water. I lived on yogurt for several weeks. It was frustrating to me to not be able to eat much of anything. This is slowly beginning to improve, at 4 months out from surgery.

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

With my surgeon's fee was an education and support fee, which I take advantage of thru their website forums. The program is very much geared towards the RNY and LapBand, but I am making the most of it, the best I can.

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

I have 7 small scars, most are hardly noticeable.