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

I have always had some sort of knowledge of bariatric surgery. The first time it became an actual, plausible option was several years ago when my mother was going through her own weight loss journey. I accompanied her to a bariatric surgery seminar. Naturally, I did everything I could to shield myself from having to acknowledge that I was a very good candidate for not only the Roux-en-Y bypass, but the Duodenal Switch surgeries. However, watching my mother get her life back after recovering from her duodenal switch surgeries while watching my own health begin to decline was difficult. I had to learn to turn off the humor defense and actually listen to people who might have something useful to say to me.

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

I'm still waiting for insurance approval. Really, the worst part of waiting for surgery so far was having my hopes for surgery tied into my hopes for my gallbladder removal. Over a year ago, my doctor made the diagnosis that my gallbladder should be removed. She sent me to a local doctor who said that I should just wait to get my gall bladder removed when I get weight loss surgery. I explained that I was at least 6-12 months out from weight loss surgery. He still insisted that it would be better if I waited. My doctor, who I will admit is not a great doctor, said that it should be fine, and so we started my monthly diet visits. Over the last year, the pain from my gallbladder has intensified. My doctor continued saying that I should probably just wait until weight loss surgery for gallbladder removal. Last month, I was admitted to the hospital and finally had my gallbladder removed by a surgeon who does bariatric surgeries as well. He explained that it is very likely that other surgeons simply did not want to do the surgery on a patient of my size. I am feeling like a lot of the pressure to get the surgery scheduled ASAP has been lifted now that my ticking time bomb of a gallbladder has been removed.

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

I still have not had my first visit with my surgeon. I liked his frankness during the seminar, but he was too busy to stick around for me to speak directly to him afterwards. The lady at his office explained to me that a surgical consultation is not going to be possible (AKA meeting the surgeon) until after the insurance has approved me for surgery. It seems pretty silly that I have to have to tell the insurance company what surgery and what surgeon I want to go to before even speaking with the surgeon himself, but hey, that's America for ya.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

It's really hard to say. I think the last time that Weight Watchers failed for me, I realized that trying to lose weight the same way as someone who weighs 250 pounds was clearly not going to work. There is, after all, probably a good reason why they don't have someone on the cover of their pamphlets saying "I lost 300 pounds on Weight Watchers!"

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I am still in the process of deciding which procedure to have. I always just assumed I would have the RNY bypass, since that is kind of the standard bypass procedure. However, during my recovery from my gallbladder removal, I've had to come to terms with the fact that I am not a standard case. My BMI is much higher than that of the standard RNY patient, and there is a very good chance that I would be more successful using the biliopancratic duodenal switch... even though it would mean that my mom was right. *sigh and dramatic teenage eye-roll*

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?

As they said to me in each of the seminars I went to for the different surgeons: Yes, there are sometimes complications from surgery and sometimes these complications can include death. However, if I don't get the surgery, I will definitely die. There is a reason that I don't see a lot of people my size out and about enjoying their lives.

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 and friends are very supportive. My husband is my biggest source of comfort with this process. As the primary cook in the household, he is looking forward to learning new recipes. He apparently is also looking forward to my not dying of a heart attack in my 40s.

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

Yyyyyyyyeah, I still really haven't gotten around to that one yet. The SINCERE PEACH of a lady in HR was SOOOO NICE about my gallbladder removal surgery, and did not have any invasive, personal, or offensive questions when I mentioned that I would have weight loss surgery, so I DEFINITELY am not hesitant about explaining more of what I consider personal medical information to the rest of the people at my office. /s

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

My first information seminar I attended was the one I brought my mother to. I used my stubborn humor to attempt to keep from acknowledging that this is information that I will need to know.

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

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

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In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

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

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

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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.

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

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

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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?

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

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

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

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Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

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Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

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