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

The internet...the MGB which frightened me.

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

Approved 12 days after first letter, but I have documented evidence of multiple co-morbids. My advice is to keep track of every ailment (potential co-morbid), get your old records and find a PCP who is knowledgeable about and pro WLS.

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

Fairly impersonal. I was neither impressed with him nor discouraged. I did not "fall in love" with him like so many others, but I have been a critical care RN for 23 years so my view was a little more realistic than most.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My B/P was becoming extremely difficult to control and I could not walk without shortness of breath.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I studied them all and I wanted the one with the lowest failure rate and the one that allowed the most normal eating, thus the DS.

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 I had so many co-morbids my health was not optimum for surgery and I was fearful of complications. The left lower lobe of my lung collapsed post surgery, so my fears were realized.

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?

I told very few family/friends as most would not have understood. I guess I feel the people I am close too are very narrow minded.

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

I am disabled related to a brain tumor.

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

A nightmare! One nurse let me lay in a pool of cold blood for several hours leading to fever and lung collapse. This was at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, VA on the 7th floor. Her name is Theresa and she's boisterous and extremely ignorant.

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

Lung collapse. I used the incentive spirometer religiously, transferred to a private room on the 9th floor to get away from Theresa, the incompetent RN who caused the problem, and went on positive pressure breathing treatments.

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

Excited & anxious. I was, very fortunately, asked to write a chapter for a critical care nursing book so I stayed very busy.

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

Weak, nauseated, fear of food. Inability to finish a protein shake. I had more energy after my crainiotomy, boy was I surprised at how wiped out I was/am.

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

200+ miles. No aftercare so far.

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 have allergic reactions (sneezing, nose runs, eyes water) to nearly everything I have eaten in a restaurant. I guess it's the spices. I can eat eggs, cheese, steak, chicken, fish, overcooked vegies. I have become lactose intolerant and am using lactaid milk now. I am only 6 weeks out and cannot eat very much yet. I snack on peanuts, almonds and walnuts and tolerate these well

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

I am just beginning to tolerate walking a block (6weeks post op).

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

2 Centrum kids complete, 2 B6, 2 B12, 3 viactiv daily

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?

nausea...still have it (6weeks post op).

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

Theresa, the incompetent RN, who let me lie in the pool of cold blood.

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

I belong to 2 support groups, one based outside of Atlanta and one in Raleigh, NC. It's very important to be able to ask questions of others who have "been there".

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

I have 4 tiny scars, just what I expected as I had a lap surgery.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

The more I eat the more I lose, no real plateaus yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

One woman at my church makes nasty comments, but otherwise I haven't noticed anything.