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

I had heard about it when I was in my early 20's. I used to think that someone would have to be crazy to go through bariatric surgery.

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

I think I was very blessed and possibly an unusual case when it comes to getting insurance approval. I went through the Marshfield Clinic, and they have all of the steps set up for you and even help you figure out which steps you need to take. If you have any of the physical problems that are required by insurance then really you shouldn't worry about it.

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

My first visit with my surgeon was very casual. You can get the most out of this meeting by having all of your questions written down and ready for him, and also by being receptive to what he has to say, even if you don't want to hear it.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I finally decided to have the surgery because I was almost 400 pounds, I was 32 years old with back and knee problems, and I didn't want to be in a wheel chair when I was 40. I realized that I wasn't living, I was just surviving. I looked at my family and I was so sad because I couldn't do everything for them that I wanted to. Family outings were never as fun or lasted as long as they could because I was always getting tired or hurting and needed to go home.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I looked at all the procedures available and knew that I wanted to lose a lot of weight, and that made me go with the rou 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 really don't have any fears about complications or even dying. I'm 6 days post op, and even though I'm sore I feel so much better than I ever did. I was afraid that something might happen in surgery, but it didn't matter because living the way I was wasn't living really living. You need to decide if you are willing to go on living the way you are with things possibly getting worse, or if you want a change for the better.

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 husband was very against it at first, he thought it was a bad idea, but after I told him my reasons for wanting it, and that it wasn't really an experimental surgery any more, he was for it. My husband has been my main support source, giving so much of himself and not asking for anything in return. My mom also had gastric bypass a month before I did, so we talk about stuff too.

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

I'm very blessed in that I work for my step dad. He was very supportive of the decision and told me to take all of the time I need.

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

It was a lot of information, but definitely worth it. You learn so much and they answer questions that you would never even think to ask. I was very glad I attended because it gave me a clearer understanding of gastric bypass surgery and the different options that are out there.

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 went well. All of the nurses and CNA's were friendly and tried to help me as much as they could. I was there for 4 days, I really wanted to go home on the 3rd day, but the doctors wanted to make sure I could handle the next level of food before I went home. It's important to bring a robe and bedroom slippers, which I forgot. You're going to want to be up and walking to show them that you're doing well and so you don't get any blood clots.

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

No complications.

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 actually nervous and excited. This is a tremendous change and there are risks and complications that could arise. I prayed about it and talked to my husband as well. It also helped that my mom had the surgery one month before me.

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

When you come home from the hospital you should be prepared to rest, rest, rest. You aren't going to be able to do much of anything. I MADE myself walk, even if it was only for one block starting out. I also had to give myself Lovenox injections because my BMI was over 50 and they were worried about blood clots. It would be beneficial to have some jello and pudding (sugarfree) all bought up as well as some carnation instant breakfast.

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

I had to travel an hour to have my surgery. It's kind of inconvenient for the aftercare, but it's worth it.

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.

When I came home from the hospital I ate a lot of sugar free lowfat pudding, sugar free jello, chicken broth, cream soups, oatmeal, cream of wheat, and sugar free carnation instant breakfast with skim milk. I then moved up to cottage cheese and mashed potatoes. I tried to eat tuna at this stage and made myself sick. Then I moved up to things like protein bars, granola, and nuts. Currently I am 5 months post op. I have tried different things, and I am just now at the stage where I can eat toast. My stomach is very sensitive to sugar alcohols, so I have to be very careful when it comes to sweetening my foods. I also have to be sure that I CHEW, CHEW, CHEW. If not I really pay for it. I always to make sure that the foods that I eat are high in protein and low fat/low sugar. I still can't really eat a lot of meat, vegetables, or pasta, they just seem to sit too heavy on my stomach and make me sick.

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

I made myself get out and walk even if it was only for 5 minutes at a time. I couldn't do much as far as cleaning and laundry, but my basic rule was take it slow and if it starts to hurt then stop.

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

I take a multi vitamin, a calcium supplement, and an iron pill.

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 think the nausea has been the worst for me. My stomach seems to be very sensitive and I have to be so careful what I eat and how fast I eat it. I am 5 months post op and I still have problems with nausea. Another problem for me was constipation. I think I'm just now regular.

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

The worst part about the entire bariatric process was the pain after surgery. I was not prepared for the pain I would be in, but I also had been taking pain meds for arthritis and migraines, so the medicine they gave me in the hospital didn't do anything because it wasn't as strong as my arthritis/migraine medicine. Once that was taken care of then things were fine. Also you do get a little depressed and if you're not prepared for it you can be quite disappointed.

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

I go to a support group through the hospital that I had surgery at. It is very helpful and important to me.

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

I have 6 incision marks because they removed my gall bladder as well. They are smaller than I expected. You really have to focus on your incision aftercare because you heal slower since your body doesn't absorb things as well.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I haven't had any plateau experiences yet since I had surgery. I am waiting for my first one to happen, and I want to try to not get depressed or discouraged about it. This is where my support group will come in handy.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

EVERYONE treats me differently. Honestly it really makes me mad because I'm still the same person, I just look different.