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

I had know about it for years, becasue I am a nurse. I had never known anyone that had it done, and had heard horror stories of the procedure. I then met a co worker whom had it done a year earlier, and she looked fantastic. I had started the crusade of finding a Dr and found one whom later I became uncomfortable with, then my co worker friend gave me the name of her surgeon after we got closer and I started asking her questions about 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 was approved relatively quick. I never got a denial, just request for additonal info one time. All the info was provided and the day the insurance nurses presented the Medical Review team with my info I was approved right then.

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

It was great. I had tons of questions, most of which were answered before I had a chance to ask them. Others were answered without any delay what so ever.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was tired of being overweight. I was very tired all the time, no energy to anything but sleep. My blood pressure was elevating. At age 28 and being a nurse I knew the risks of being severely overweight and feared having a stroke, heart attack, and/or other cardiac problems. I was already experiencing joint pain at all of my weight bearing joints.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Had a co worker friend that had the same procedure done, she was my reference tool along with researching the procedures as well as others on the internet. I wanted the most successful procedure. I had only plan to have this done once!

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 NO fears at all. I was very excited about having the procedures. Being 28 and was in good health except for the weight. I did not have respiratory problems and no heart conditions except for the HTN which was not dangerously high just significantly elevated. My signifcant other and family had more concerns about complications than I did. I knew the mortality rate was less that 0.5% and I had 100% faith in my surgeon. I would tell others with these fears to talk to the surgeon, do research, contact others who have had the surgery. Join a support group. Pray! If you have doubts with your surgeon, clear them up or change Drs. I changed Drs once , sure glad I did.

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 significant other was 100% supportive of my decision. My family (mainly my Mom) was scared. Mostly of me dying. I would not communicate anything differently, we talked about everything very openly and in detail. They are all very supportive (100%) since I have had the surgery.

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

My supervisor was actually trying to talk me out of it, told me to join weight watchers! But that only lasted about 2 seconds, otherwise she and the rest of my hospital co- workers were very supportive for the most part. A few nurse's thought I should just try harder to loose the weight. But post-operatively they are more supportive. I was off of work 5 weeks because I had to return to work with full duty, I could not have any lifting restricitons.

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

This was the first time I was evere in the hospital as a patient. I was disappointed in the nurses. I being a nurse, felt they did not come in my room often enough. They knew I was a nurse, so probably assumed I knew what I needed to know as a post op surgical pt. Which I did. I just hope with patient who is not a nurse that they would be more attentive. I have to say the sheets were itchy. I had a privat room so that was nice. I also had my significant other stay with me every day and every night. So he helped me walk, and move in bed and get out of bed, so I didnt have to call for any help. BRING A FAN!!!! Maybe a favorite pillow, head phones are nice too.

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

No complications at all, not ever a fever!

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

No anxiety. I had a surgery date the day I was approved, I had to wait only one week before my surgery date.

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

I was very sore! Tired very easily. Bending down was uncomfortable. You should expect to rest. Do not do anything that would compromise the incision integrity.

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

I live just about 10-15 minutes from my Dr office and hospital where I has the surgery. ( little longer depending on traffic and time of day)...Busy Dallas!

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.

No sugar, no bread. I can not tolerate mayo, or anyting that is excessivly greasy.

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

Days after surgery my activity level was very low, I walked just about everyday at the nearby mall (per Dr orders). I did light house work nothing strenuous. As the weeks progressed my activity level increased. Now 2 months post op, I am walking 2 miles at a time at a speed of 4 mph. Doing light weight lifting to start firming up some areas. I am working full time. I actually need less sleep now, 4-5 hours is enough ,when it used to be like 10-14 hours that I needed to get through the day.

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

I take a childrens chewable vitamin (adult dose) and a Time release B12.

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 have had dumping several times while introducing foods back into my diet. I have vomited once, just because I gulped way to much water after excercise (that was about 4-5 weeks post op). No sleep disturbances. Hair loss, who knows, my hair has been falling out since I was 22 anyway! When I experience the dumping that is worse for me, I have to lay down for 30 or so minutes and it passes.

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

I dont know if there is a WORST part really. The pain durning first few days was bearable now that i am over it. I guess the first 3 weeks post op, during my liquid diet phase, I got tired of drinking everything! I hated the protien shakes! They are nasty!

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

I am a memeber of a support group that is mostly made up of patients of my surgeon. There is a on line support portion of this group that I participate in regularly. They do have monthly meetings but I dont attend, because I work nights and these meeting are help during evening hours, and mostly on weekends and I work every other weekend.

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

It is about 8 or 9 inches long, right now it is very pink and raised it is only 2 months since surgery. I know it will eventually smooth out and become less pink. I expected what I have. I had seen the scar on a post op patient that my surgeon did, So I already knew about what to expect.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

At 5 weeks I had a pateau that lasted about 2-3 weeks, now that I am off of it, I am loosing much slower that I did initially. Now about 2-3 pounds per week.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really. My friends and coworkers joke and call me "skinny". I have lost 52.5 pounds. I am not skinny yet!