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

I found out about bariatric surgery from magazines, TV, acquaintances, and the internet. My initial impression of it was fear, uncertainty how can someone do that, would I die or have complications, then after the fear, would it be right for me. I researched for 3 years before I made a serious decision to have the surgery.

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

I really had no problem with getting insurance approval. I live in Ontario and our health system had agreed to give approval for surgery in the United States because the wait time in Ontario was unreasonable. I got the necessary forms off the internet, had my dr. fill them out and sent a personal letter along with them, at the suggestion of my surgeon. I was approved in two weeks.

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

My first visit with the surgeon when very well, it was a busy hectic day, meeting him, the psychologist and med clearance doctor all the same day. My surgeon was very, very patient, honest, trustworthy and in my opinion, very competent. His staff were fantastic. Do your research, have questions ready, they welcome them, and answer them honestly.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I finally decided to go ahead witht the surgery after my meeting with the surgeon. I felt that the surgeon was very qualified and the hospital was clean, and an excellent facility. I received a lot of information at the seminar and it also helped to alleviate my husband's fears.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon made the decision on the type of procedure I had. He started out doing the Lap RNY but had to switch to open because of adhesions from a previous 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 never had complications from any other surgery that I have had so I did not think that there would be any this time, but there is always the first time. I had a really positive attitude going in to surgery, I was not afraid at all, so I think you should have a positive attitude and be as informed as possible. I prayed, believed and would not allow negative thoughts to enter my mind. My surgery went off without a problem.

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 members that I chose to tell (my husband, son, father, sister, brothers, and one aunt) were very happy for me. At first my father did not want me to go through with it, but I told him I had no other choice because I had to do something about my weight and my mind was made up. My other family members said it was my decision and they would stand by me. I also told my best friend but at the same time told her that my mind was made up. I could tell by her reaction that she was apprehensive about the surgery but would support me. My family was very supportive after the surgery, my aunt had it a year before me, so she became my sounding board, giving me a lot of encouragement, especially during difficult times when I began to wonder what I had done to myself.

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

I told the two people I work closest with about the surgery and they were very supportive, even now. I made the mistake of telling my boss, just because she asked what type of surgery I was having. She acted supportive, then proceeded to bring it up at a staff luncheon on the day of my surgery, telling everyone how could I go through this surgery knowing I could die!! I was very upset and my co-worker tried to get her to shut up. I was out of work for 6 weeks; I had severe back problems and I just did not have any energy. My doctor wanted me to take two extra weeks but there was no one to cover me for the extra time and the lady that was doing my job was doing such a horrible job, I had people calling me at home encouraging me to get well, but to hurry and come back because this woman had things in such an uproar. It took me two months to clear things up. My boss and I had been in the midst of discussing a raise for me because my job responsibility had increased, then after my surgery she flipped on me, telling me I had my nerve asking for a raise when I just came off sick leave and that she did not HAVE to give me permission to take off. We have a union and my medical leave was happening with or without her permission. In our workplace, she does not have that powerl

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

My stay in the hospital was not too bad, all the staff were very nice and helpful, making sure I was as comfortable as possible. I stayed from Thursday to Sunday. One nurse made me upset because I took a shower and needed help drying my back and legs because I had open and could not bend. She acted like she did not want to help me and just dried my back, not my legs and then tossed the towel back at me, as if I was poisonous. She was the only bad point in my whole hospital stay. I found the male nurses the best, very helpful and accommodating. They were great!!! It was important to bring sturdy slippers for walking, a robe, lip balm, comb and toothbrush. I slept a lot so I did not read or listen to music.

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

I did not have any complications at all. As a result of surgery, I developed a frozen shoulders. My pcp feels that I was positioned in a weird way to bring it on, but that is his opinion. The shoulder took about a year to correct itself, otherwise I am fine.

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

After I got my surgery date, time could not pass fast enough for me. I was so anxious to have this done. I was excited, anxious, apprehensive, a bit nervous, at times indecisive. I just kept reading the info given, and started daydreaming about the "new me" and that helped calm me down.

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

I had a difficult recovery period. My back was very sore (previous problem) and my last pain pill was taken when I got home from the hospital, I did not have a lot of incisional pain. I was so swollen from fluid retention; I felt helpless because I could not get comfortable in bed, or sitting. I could not take care of my personal needs and my husband had to help me with that and when I showered. There were days that took all my energy just to get up, showered, dressed, then I had to go back to bed to rest. I felt that I was never going to get better, or have energy again. I cried a lot, I had regret for about a month, I could not stand the smell of food. I had a lot of emotions the first few weeks. But it eventually got better. I did not feel like my old self until four months later. The back pain and my having a frozen shoulder just made my recovery time seem to last forever.

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

I traveled about ten miles, but it was in another country, from Canada to the United States. Thankfully the hospital was close to the border. Because we had to go through border crossings and pay $8.00 round trip, the dr. tried to incorporate as much as possible into one visit.

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 did not have too much trouble with foods. I could not tolerate the protein drink and did not use it. I could not eat melba toast, fresh bananas, milk, pork, or cold drinks in the first couple months after surgery. Tortillas, rice, potatoes, some raw vegetables (carrots, celery, peppers, broccoli, cauliflower) cause me problems. I can eat bread, no problem. I tolerate chicken (not white meat), fish, ground beef, tuna, and eggs very well. I do not dump on sweets, but do get sleepy or a bit dizzy if I have any. I will not eat candy even though I know I probably can. I tried SF ice cream and my pouch did not tolerate it. I tried regular ice cream and that was worse. I have no problem with SF popsicles. Right now, nine months out, I just love peanut butter, watermelon, peaches, over ripe bananas, and eggs & cheese. I tried flat pop, but it is not worth it. Fruits with skin (plums, apples, grapes, orange membrane) present a problem for me. I love pasta but it fills me up too fast. Soft tacos are a no-no, they feel like I swallowed a rock, I will not eat those.

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

My activity level in the weeks immediately after surgery was zilch. I made myself do things just so I would not get lazy. When I started back to work, it was as if I was moving in slow motion. I would work, come home and lay down for a bit before I could eat supper. I slept every chance I got. It took about four months for me to actually feel like I did before surgery. That was really a downer for me.

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

I take Flintstone complete vitamins, B-12 sublingual, and Pepcid complete (for calcium).

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?

Sleep disturbance was the only side effect I suffered. I never dumped, vomited, or anything like that. I found that my sleep was different, I did not sleep deeply, or for very long. I could no longer sleep on my stomach and nine months out, still do not sleep on my stomach. I have become a side and back sleeper. I am finding that I do not need as much sleep as I did before; I have gone from needing 8-9 hours to 6-7 hours of sleep. When I have had enough, I jump out of bed, no matter what time it is. I suffered hair loss, but it was not severe, I lost strands of hair not clumps. I did not have any bald spots, but my hair is thinner. I took everything in stride, I did not stress about it, I knew ahead of time that these things might happen but it was a small price to pay for this type of weight loss. I now wear my hair in a shorter style.

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

The worse part of the entire bariatric surgery process for me was the recuperation period. I had heard other people say how great they felt a few days after and I did not have that experience. It took too long for me to feel better. The prolonged weakness was the pits; I hate to be helpless. Also, the pain you feel if you overeat or eat too fast is not pleasant; but that is part of the behaviour modification process. I still do those things if I am in a hurry, but I am learning.

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

I have regular visits to my surgeon, every three months for the first year; after that time, my PCP will take over my care. It is important to have the aftercare because you MUST keep an eye on your levels. I was anemic and my potassium was low. For success you have to have aftercare.

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

My scar turned out beautifully, I did not have any external stitches or staples; I had a nice clean line. It has keloid a bit but nothing gross. My scar looks better than I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had several plateaus in the past few months but find that if I eat something that I have not eaten since surgery, like potato chips, or pasta or any carb, it perks up my metabolism and the pounds start coming off again. Exercise and extra water helps also.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People do treat me differently now; they look me in the eye, they smile, speak, have conversations with me, they are more pleasant. I am the same person I was before, so why the change. Other people are jealous, and tell me to stop loosing weight, they tell me that I dress better, that I think I am better looking than other people; all the same crap. Some have treated me badly because now I am not the fattest person around, and I now weight less than they do, so they are insecure around me.