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

Dr. Karen Duffy at Madison Minor Medical Clinic in Madison, Tennessee first told me about bariatric surgery. I owe her my life. She told me about the surgery with sensitivity and concern and referred me to a bariatric surgeon. Following the visit, I told her I was afraid of the surgery and the risks involved. She helped me see things realistically by stating that the risks of the surgery were minute compared to the risks of NOT having it.

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

My insurance company took several weeks to approve the request for surgery but did so without any hassles. They wre fair and reasonable with me. I did have co-morbidities and I think that's the key. The surgery (for most insurance companies) does have to be "medically necessary" and that means those medical problems for once work in your favor.

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

My first meeting with the surgeon went well, although it was a bit rushed. Most surgeons I think send out informational booklets prior to the first office visit. I encourage everyone to read and study these booklets, hook up with post-ops on the web, read the bariatric surgery web site, and learn as much as you about this surgery on your own. It is important to get both objedtive information and subjective experiences before deciding if the surgery is right for you. Know as much as you can before that first visit then select a few key questions for your persepctive surgeon rather than inundating them with generalities.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The many medical problems I had and the fact that I could not walk without getting out of breath.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I folled the recommendations of my bariatric surgeon.

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'd say get an honest assessment of the risks involved with the surgery and the risks of NOT having it done. Then make up your mind. I will admit I was very afraid of complications and even dying. I cried clear up to the time they "gassed me" in the operating room! But I did it, and it was the best decision I ever made in my life.

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 and sister are my immediate family. They understood my decision and were very supportive but were worried about the risks. I showed them lots of before and after pictures of folks on the web who had been through the surgery and they understood more fully why I wanted to do it.

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

I told my immediate supervisor and her supervisor the truth about the surgery. Although they are thin, they were supportive. I told my co-workers I was having my gall bladder removed, a partial truth since they did remove my gall bladder in this process. I have since told everyone about the weight loss surgery. I'm not bashful about it anymore. I had sick leave to cover the 6 weeks I was out of work. I was lucky to have had that benefit.

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

I was in the hospital 4 nights and left on the 5th day. I had my surgery at Centennial Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. The staff were great and wonderfully supportive I brought loose fitting clothes and house shoes that slipped on so I didn't have to bend over to put them on. It also helped to have someone there with me the 2 day after surgery when I was the weakest. I was in intensive care one night (on the night I had surgery). I've been told some docs don't do that with their patients, but my doc felt it best.

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

No complications whatsoever!

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 sore and weak for about six weeks after surgery, though each week that passed I felt better. I did have my doubts as to whether I had done the right thing and it was hard being on a liquid diet for 8 weeks post-op. Again, not all docs ask their patients to do that, but mine felt it best to do that.

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

I did not have a lot of pain during the first few weeks home from the hospital but I was sore and weak. A shower chair helped a lot and for a few days I used a walker. I also slept in a recliner for a couple of weeks following surgery. I was too sore to stretch out in bed. Not everyone, however, needs a recliner. Some have made it just fine in a regular bed.

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

I only had about 20 miles to travel for my surgery. I had no problems.

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 was placed on a liquid and pureed diet for 8 weeks post-op. Although I got tired of the diet restrictions, I had no post-op problems and healed nicely. After about 8 weeks, soft foods were introduced and then gradually other foods were added back. When soft foods were introduced, I'd occasionally experience some vomiting, but not often. Such is still the case with solid foods. I can basically eat anything I want except that meat doesn't work really well. Hamburger ground up to a consistency found in a taco will go down and stay down OK, but chicken, beef, and pork unless they are ground sometimes cause pain and vomiting. I used to have horrible food cravings with diets. I don't anymore! I never feel deprived although sometimes I would like to eat larger quantities just because it "tastes good'. I'm glad, though, that I can't. One thing pre-ops need to understand. You can't eat a regular size hamburger or meal anymore - ever! You need to know that upfront, but to me I have gained a lot more than I've lost by not being able to eat much!

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

I went on short walks and gradually rebuilt my stamina but I was tired and weak a lot. However, I also had other medical problems that contributed to this lack of energy, I'm sure.

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

My surgeon has instructed me to take a high potency multi-vitamin and two TUMS (for a calcium supplement) daily for the rest of my life.

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 only real "side effect" I had was the soreness and weakness resulting from the surgery. It dissapated over a period of weeks until I felt "normal" again.

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

The first few days prior to getting the external staples removed. I was just very sore and tender. Also, I had a tube extending from my stomach for a few days that wasn't uncomfortable, really, just kind of scary to look at.

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

Centennial Hospital, where I had my surgery, has quarterly meetings of bariatric patients where informational topics are presented. They're OK, but are too infrequent and formal for my taste. I prefer getting to know people over the Net and then it is really special when some of us can then get together in person!

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

The scar is long (from between by breasts to below my navel) but has faded into a thin pink line that is barely noticeable.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

The weight loss was rapid and first and then begin to slow into a steady pace, but has not really come to a standstill since my surgery a year ago. Some weeks I do lose much more than others.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. Maybe it is because I'm not as self-conscious too. I think people tend to take me a bit more seriously, both personaly and professionally, and I no longer feel I have to please everyone to be accepted.