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

My primary care physician recommended that I look into it as he was writing the prescription for Meridia. He told me that if the Meridia didn't work, I should consider the surgery. At that time, the only experience I'd had with the surgery was my ex-mother-in-law who had her stomach "stapled" (no transection) around 1988 only to lose a lot of weight but gain it back plus some. I had heard of Carnie Wilson but didn't really know a lot about gastric bypass. So I was unsure but desperate enough to look into it.

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

I had no problem getting approved with Health Net HMO. I'm sorry but I don't have any advice except maybe to find someone else who has the same insurance and find out how they were able to get approved (if you've been denied).

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

Research and bring a list of questions! I spent hours researching gastric bypass before I met with the surgeon. My surgeon was awesome! Dr. Sheilah Clayton is highly skilled and she works with a very comprehensive program, Spectrim. Find out exactly which procedure your surgeon does, get stats on their patients, find out what kind of follow-up care they provide, make sure they are clear about their expectations of you as a patient.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The year before my doctor recommended the surgery, I flew across country with my 3 daughters and I weighed about 250lbs. The difficulty of the trip (being so worn out, barely fitting in the seats, how horrid I felt physically, seeing the shock on my family's faces, not having many clothes to wear....and having the stewardess say very loudly, "oh honey, you are not going to fit in that seat belt!! You need an extender!!") were all factors in me realizing that I needed to do something about my size. So even though I didn't know much about it when my doctor recommended it, I dove right into the research and while I was scared, I really believed it was my last chance. I DID NOT WANT TO DIE!!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I didn't have a choice. I went to the surgeon my insurance sent me to and she only did one procedure: Open Roux-en-y.

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 fear in the months before surgery (it only took 4 months from referral to the operation!!) but I was okay until the night before surgery after I checked into the hospital. I was convinced that I was going to die on the operating table. The gastric bypass was my 10th major surgery and it was the only one I "chose" to do (compared to c-sections etc) so I feared that maybe I was only doing it for vanity and somehow I would be "punished" and not survive the operation. I panicked and begged my husband to take me home. I swore that I'd "live at the gym and NEVER let another piece of chocolate cross my lips!!" My hubby, who never said anything negative about my weight, looked at me and solemnly said, "honey, you are waaaaay beyond the gym. Take your valium." So I took my valium and slept...still scared but calm. The next morning they came in earlier than expected and again I panicked. I cried all the way to the OR holding room and just bawled like a baby. I had a great nurse (named "Nike, like the shoe but after the goddess") who held my hand and asked me to tell her all the reasons I was having the surgery and between her & my husband I was able to go through with the surgery.

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 family has been nothing but supportive before and after.

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

My boss was very supportive and the timing worked out perfectly. I work for a student services dept at a university and I had surgery 2 days after the quarter was over. I told him everything. I took a full 10 weeks off. With the open, you usually have 8 weeks off but my disability covered 10 weeks, so I took the 10.

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

I checked in on Wednesday afternoon, June 13, had surgery June 14 morning, was in ICU until June 15 and was discharged Monday, June 18. A fan is important -- it was hot when I was there. I found the nurses aide's to be more helpful than most of the nurses. I brought a book, my journal and a hand held computer game but i don't remember using any of the 3 very much. I mostly slept or was up walking around.

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

Nothing from the surgery itself though at 2 weeks post op I couldn't keep the protein drinks down. I would vomit them right back up. My surgeon told me to use Carnation Instant Breakfast with lowfat milk but I had become lactose intolerant and I didn't like soy milk. I tried Lactaid but still got very gassy. She moved me onto soft solids and at 4 months post op the director of the program introduced me to a soy protein powder that I could tolerate.

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 okay up until the night before surgery. I did do a LOT of "last meals"...like every night!! But I actually lost a few pounds in the last month pre op! Stress I guess. I dealt with any anxiety by eating.

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

Oh my goodness, I was in a lot of pain. I had open roux-en-y and it hurt worse than my 3 C-sections. I cried a lot and kept asking my husband, "why did you let me do this??" I had a hard time getting in the protien. It didn't taste good and I felt VERY overwhelmed with my doctor's schedule of drinking protein, water, broth -- I tired out very easily and I was so hot!! If you have open, do not expect to wear a bra! It will rub on the top of your incision. Wear a shelf-tank top or I cut off a few men's ribbed tank tops and sort of rolled them under my breasts. Take your pain medication! That is why they give it to you! I know this all sounds horrid but by the 2nd weekend home, I was able to go to the beach and spend most of the day there. I was on my pain meds but I waded into the water and had a good time. At 3 weeks post op I went to a Fourth of July party. I played in the pool. I ate a teeny tiny bit of chicken & potato salad.

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

My surgeon and the hospital were a little over 4 hours south of me. It didn't affect my aftercare - my husband drove me. Subsequent appointments were made with a support group friend who had the same surgeon so we rode down together.

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.

In the first year, my body changed constantly. Something I could eat one week would make me dump the next. For sure I could't drink milk anymore, not even Lactaid without getting severe cramps, bloating and gas. I couldn't eat bread until after 4 months post op because it made me dump. I would go into major cravings where I would eat one food several times a day -- for about 2 weeks it was mandarin oranges and scrambled eggs with turkey lunch meat in them! Cream cheese and I were not friends pre op and I still cannot eat it -- severe gas -- but I can eat any other kind of cheese! Around 1 year post op, I was able to eat pretty much anything, just in small amounts. Around 18 months post op I began serious weight lifting and since then (I'm 23 months post op now) I have had a hard time with high carb foods like cereals and baked goods (which is just as well since they are empty calories anyway!) I'm sorry I don't remember too many more details than that! Oh -- buffets are off limits by my own choice because I cannot eat enough to make the cost worthwhile!

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

First two weeks: the couch to the kitchen to the bathroom Two weeks to 10 weeks: started walking, 5 miles a day, 3x a week and swimming 5 days a week 10 weeks plus: anything I wanted! I did a lot of walking, swimming, tae-bo, I started yoga. I was back at work (30 hours a week) At 6 months post op: I went back to school at nights, still working 30 hours a week days, graduated # 1 out of 50 in my class. At 18 months post op: I joined a gym and began weight lifting. I now work out (cardio at least 20 minutes then weight lifting) 5 times a week, work 30 hours/week, teach school in evenings a couple of times a month, teach CPR on weekends, facilitate a WLS support group, maintain a WLS related website, am my daughter's room mom... my activity level is higher than it has ever been!

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

Big mistake: took calcium carbonate the first year post op until I did research and found out that it is not absorbed! I now take: Calcium Citrate between 1500-2500mg daily, Trinsicon (Ferrous Fumarate Iron, B-12, Vitamin C, Folic Acid), Chewable Centrum Multi-Vitmin, and additional B-12 sublingual daily. I also take in protein through supplements (powders, several forms)minimum of 80grams but on workout days, as close to or exceeding 100g.

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 vomiting was due to the whey protein at 2 weeks post op. I stopped all protein supplements until I was introduced to a soy protein powder that you could also cook with. I used that until about 18 months post op when I discovered a natural flavored whey protein that I could tolerate so now I use several brands of whey protein and soy protein. I've had more problems with sleep disturbance due to hot flashes from estrogen fluctuations. I am also post menopausal (hysterectomy 6 years before wls; oopherectomy 2 years pre wls) and I've had a hard time getting in the proper estrogen amounts. I take an o-t-c supplement and estrogen supplement. Hair loss...well it grew back...I didn't use anything special. I just waited it out. The dumping can be a good thing sometimes, it reminds me that my body doesn't like a cupcake!! I've really learned what works and what doesn't work in my body now though every now and then I'll still get a surprise. I just dumped a few weeks ago (on that darn cupcake) at 23 months post op. Raisin Bran made me dump (too high of carbs) but I had eaten it a few months ago with no problems so I was surprised when I dumped. I cope with it by avoiding what makes me dump. (most of the time!)

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

The first few weeks -- the hospital was hot (i was hot), felt gross (dirty), wasn't allowed to drink anything, then when i could drink stuff it was icky tasting, and the pain was very bad.

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

I began attending a patient run WLS support group a few weeks post op and now I facilitate one of our meetings. I attend the main group and my group (so 2 meetings a month). We are not supported by any doctor, insurance co or hospital. I also belong to 2 online support groups plus I frequent the Q&A board here on obesity help.com as well as a board at Spotlighthealth.com. I read that wls patients need a minimum of 3 years support post op and I believe it. I stay around because people were here to help me and I want to give back. I HIGHLY recommend all wls patients (pre and post op) go to support group meetings -- it is so essential to be around other people who know what you are going through.

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

It runs from my my sternum to the side of my belly button. It is what I expected. It doesn't bother me. I wear a two piece bathing suit.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Had my first plateau at 6 months post op, around Christmas and it lasted 6 weeks. I freaked! I thought, "oh man this is it! I'm not going to lose anymore!" I had lost around 80lbs. But I increased my water, increased my protein and went back to school at nights and after 6 weeks I was back to losing 3-4lbs a week. I did not own a scale, I had to walk next door to weigh myself. I encourage people to get rid of their scales. Measurements are just as important as pounds. I had a couple more plateaus in the first year but they only lasted a few weeks each.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. They treat me as if I'm a person now. I went through an angry phase because men who would've ignored me before surgery were suddenly flirting with me, holding doors open, wanting to carry my groceries etc and it made me mad. I am the same person -- yes I am more confident now and more secure now but I was still the same essential person at 268lbs but very few people would look deep enough or long enough to see the real me!