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

I had heard of it, I'm not sure where, perhaps in the newspaper, or on a website. But I started really looking into it after my doctor suggested I would be a good candidate. Then I went to an information meeting. At the meeting there was never any pressure to make any quick decisons about having the surgery. They were very honest about the different surgeries and how big of an impact it could make on your life. That impressed me. Plus the quality of the doctors and the barriatric program at that hospital seemed excellent. I also looked at any other information I could find.

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

I was lucky. Didn't have any trouble. I was required to go through six months of waiting period. Which included 6 consults with a barriatrician, plus a cardiologist, and a psychiatrist. before I could be cleared for surgery. But there were no problems.

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

It went very well. The doctor was very pleasant and made me feel relaxed. I had prepared a few questions and the surgeon answered them very directly. Although I'd gotten a lot of information on their Barriatric website beforehand, it helped to talk to the surgeon directly.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had been thinking about it for about 2 years. I had been trying to lose weight for so long and kept gaining the weight back. I was so tired of always feeling tired,and feeling pain somewhere everyday. I felt like the real me was buried inside a huge body that was out of my control. I also looked at other peoples stories who had the surgery. Seeing how they felt after the surgery was very helpful. The hospital I went to has a Barriatric program that has a Barriatric COE, Center of Excellence rating for several years.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I looked at all the information files (that they gave me on a compact disc) and at the website. Also thought about what the surgeon said about the different surgeries. Plus I considered the slide show they'd had at the information meeting, showing the various procedures. I chose the Gastric Sleeve. It was done laproscopically. For me the Gastric Bypass seemed too extreme.

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 had some fears, it is major surgery. But I felt well informed about the risks. In my case I felt a lot of confidence in the doctors and the hospital I went to because I'd had gall-bladder removed in 2010 at the same hospital. I felt the most nervous right when I was getting on the operating table, waiting a few minutes while they prepared for surgery. Then the next thing I knew I was waking up in recovery and It was already over.

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?

So far everyone I've told, before and after, have been very positive and supportive. I can't think of anything I would change at this point.

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

I was a little nervous at first, but she reacted very positively. I just told her that I was planning on getting the surgery and approximately when. Although I couldn't give her a date for sure until about a month before the surgery. I was off work for 2 1/2 weeks.

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

After my doctor first suggested WLS, I thought about it for a few months, and finally attended a meeting. They were very straight forward, didn't try to make it sound easy: this was major surgery and it needed a lot of thought. But it was very positive and informative. It felt like there was finally a light at the end of the tunnel. It helped that they had two weight loss surgery patients there to tell their stories. They were so glad they had made the decision to go ahead with it. The more information I had, the easier it was to make a decision.

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

It went okay. The only complaint I would have was I wish I could have had a private room, instead of sharing the room. They were nice people, but it meant there were twice as many nurses and patient care technicians, coming and going all throughout the day and night. Hard to sleep with all that activity. Fortunately I was only there two days. I guess the most important thing would be is to have family or friend come with you. The most important thing to bring would be your insurance cards, list of medications, vital medical information, a change of clothes for when you get out of the hospital and maybe your own toothbrush, maybe a book to read or crossword puzzles... I didn't need to bring prescriptions, since the hospital supplied my medications while I was there.

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

None.

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 felt a little anxiety, but I'd had several months of preparation. I was very determined to go through with it because this had been a long time coming, years and years of being heavy. The light was on at the end of the tunnel.

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

For me the first week was the hardest. The 1st few days felt very difficult because I was only able to have clear liquids, then only very soft foods for about a week. I had very low energy at first. You have to be very careful to measure the food you eat and follow your diet plan for the type of food you can eat. I had to pay more attention to what I was eating than I ever had to before. One time I was drinking soup, and was enjoying it so much, I forgot to pay attention to how much I was having. I drank too much and I got very nauseas and felt miserable for a little while. I learned my lesson. The lack of variety in the foods I could eat was kinda frustrating. You have to be very careful with how much and what type of food. But after awhile I began to get used to the diet restrictions. My energy gradually came back. I lost almost 20 pounds in the first month. That encourage me to keep going. And after couple more weeks I was able to eat more normal foods.

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

I just went across town. Several miles. Also my job is right across the street from the hospital.

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 could eat clear liquids only the first 4 days. Then pureed foods. The protein has to be eaten first, then the vegetables or fruit. The first two weeks in particular the food was measured in tablespoons and ounces. It seems extreme at first, but I soon learned to pay attention to my stomach which told me to keep the portions very small. I cannot have bread, pasta, (not even whole grain), beef or pork, no caffeine (coffee) sweets, very little fruit or fruit juice. I also can't have starchy vegetables -corn, potatos, or peas, no sandwiches (that was really hard!) and no carbonated drinks. The carbonation expands your stomach, which you don't want. You need to have a protein shake every day. Your dietician should give you a diet plan to follow very closely. I can have some sweets, 5 grams or less of sugar. After about 3 weeks I was able to eat some 'soft' solids. The liquids and then pureed foods were needed to allow my stomach to heal after surgery. I

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

My energy was low and I was really glad I was off work. I rested often, just active in little spurts. Its a dramatic change for your body. I gradually got a little more active over the next several weeks. But I took it very slow. I am almost at 90 days post surgery.

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

I take a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement and extra calcium, (has to be Calcium Citrate, not Carbonate), I take extra vitamin E, B Complex and a Pro-Biotic for help with digestion. I have to drink a protein shake every day. Protein becomes very important to have for energy. Since you will be having no carbs and very little sugar.

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 nausea too often, but my stomach is a lot more sensitive to it now. Its taught me to be a lot more concious of what I'm eating and how much. I've only experienced dumping two times so far. I haven't experrienced sleep disturbance because of the surgery and only had slight hair loss. When I do have any side affects I have to stop and think about what could be causing it? I was told ahead of time what side affects might happen, so I've learned to be more mindful of how my body is feeling.

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

The first few days after surgery, getting used to the diet restrictions. Then over the next few weeks I think I felt a little overwhelmed at times, mainly physically. Its such a dramatic change. But I kept my mind focused on the future and what I had done to improve my health.

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

There were 2 support groups for barriatric patients -through the hospital where I had the surgery. One in the afternoon, one in the evening. Then the Psychiatrist that lead the evening group retired. So theres only the afternoon one now. I worked full time days, so I can't go. So I got a referral to a Psychologist -for counseling on an individual basis. But I would still like to go to a support group, if they form another one in the evening. Having support helps a lot.

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

I had the laproscopic surgery so the 5 scars I have are tiny little slits. This was what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had a plateau about the 3rd week after surgery because I forgot the 5 grams of sugar or less rule. I assumed that fruit was okay. Had as much as I wanted. My weight stopped going down, and even crept back up a little. Then I finally realized that the 5 grams or less meant any type of sugar, including fruit. That was very frustrating, because I love fruit. But once I reduced that, I started going down again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Its very subtle, but I think I notice people being a little more positive towards me. Sometimes I notice people looking more directly at me. Its only been 3 months so far.