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

My sister had the surgery about 5 years ago. I figured if it worked for her (she was over 400 lbs) then it could work for me.

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

I had no problem with the insurance company. I had severe sleep apnea so they approved within 3 weeks after my doc submitted the paperwork.

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

The first time I met DR. Burrowes it sounded to me as if he was talking me out of the surgery. He made me very aware of all the dangers and stuff. But keep in mind that this was the third Dr. I had been to, to consult about this surgery. Finally I felt comfortable with someone. The best thing you can do is think of questions about a week ahead of your consultation and WRITE THEM DOWN. You will forget everything once you are in the office. Also take a paper and pen to take notes. There is a lot of information given and recieved in that first meeting so be ready and don't be shy, they want to know everything about you.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was out of control. I kept getting heavier and heavier and my sleep apnea was getting worse. I was suffering from depression. Finally I decided that if I was going to get my life back the surgery was the only alternative I had left.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr. Burrowes has different procedures he does, depending on how overweight you are. The RNY seemed my best option to handle my weight loss.

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 just had the normal fears people have before having surgery. I knew it was a possibility that I could die on the operating table, but the way I saw it, I was going to die anyway, either a long drawn out miserable death because I was soooo fat, or quickly while I was asleep. I opted for the quickly.

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 immediate family was fine with it. Both of my sisters and my niece had already had the procedure so it really wasn't an issue. My in-laws were concerned because it was after all major surgery, yet they were very supportive. Most of my friends were happy for me.

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

I had a very pleasant stay at the hospital.(weird) I was only in for 2 days. The surgery was Friday morning and I was on my way home on Sunday morning at 11:00. You really don't need to bring anything. I brought a book and my cpap machine, I never did read the book. I do want to recommend that you start walking as soon as the catheter is out. What's really nice is you go for a walk then come back to your room and hit the morphine button and take a nice snooze.

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

I did not have any complications from surgery. Everything went according to plan, I have healed very well. I was back to work in 3 weeks.

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 felt great. The second week out I drove down to Florida with a friend of mine, we went to the beach and out to dinner(I only had soup, but that was cool). The only anxiety I have is when I try "new" foods. Foods that I haven't eaten since the surgery. The first time I tried chicken I thought I was going to die. Either I didn't chew it well enough or something, but it hit my stomach like a ton of bricks. I was sweating, my mouth was watering, I had the shakes. Needless to say I don't eat chicken any more.

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

The first couple of days all I did was sleep. I walked around my house a couple of times, but I sure felt tired afterwards. After the first week I was fine. I ate a lot of broth, and applesauce and sugar free jello. This is usually a rough time for most people but I really didn't have a bad time of it.

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

I traveled about 30 miles

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.

Chicken is off limits to me. I can nibble on some wings now and then but for the most part I can't tolerate chicken. Egg drop soup has turned out to be an excellent meal. High in protein and easy on the stomach. What's really funny is how your tastes change. Things I used to love to eat, like lasagna, chicken and pork chops just don't taste the same, I know with the chicken I had a bad experience but the rest of the stuff I just don't like the taste of any more. It's almost as if your taste buds change. Some stuff that you like at first will later on taste like crap. It's really weird.

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

The first few days there was a little activity. Not much. I just wanted to sleep. I think that was the leftovers from the anesthesia. I did get up and start walking the halls of the hospital the day following surgery but that sure wore me out. I would hit the pain medicine button and take a nice nap. I would say after the first week my energy levels got back towards normal. I would move around as much as I could. I walked, and swam (the 2nd week) My incision was healing from the inside. It was pretty cool how the doc sewed me up. I had no stitches on the outside and my incision was only about 4" long. Even now that I'm 4 months out of surgery, I still get tired sometimes, but usually it's because I haven't eaten(imagine that) so I'll have a piece of fruit or something and my energy comes back.

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

I have been taking a multivitamin as well as b-12. I am going to start on a calcium suplement. My system can't seem to tolerate milk and I don't think I can eat enough cheese to get what I need.

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?

My side effects were minimal, the only time I really thought I was going to vomit was the first time I tried chicken, but I didn't. My hair has gotten thinner but with regular hair cuts and taking my vitamins and getting enough protein I've about got that under control.

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

I think the worst part was the 3 weeks of liquid and soft foods. You get tired of it pretty quick.

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

There are a handful of women in my office where I work that have had the procedure. I also have my sisters and my neice that have also had the surgery so my support system is pretty solid. I would recommend that people go to the support group meetings after the surgery. If nothing else you get to be around people that know how you feel.

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

My scar is a very small thin line. It is approximately 4 inches long. It is much better than I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

THE SCALE KEEPS GOING DOWN..HOORAY For the first time in my life the scale is going down. I have not reached a plateau yet and when I do I will work through it

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

ABSOLUTELY!!!! People that wouldn't talk to me before, now talk to me as if they've known me forever. People listen when you speak, it's almost as if "the fat chick" had nothing of importance to say. You think that because you are big people listen to you but in reality they think you are stupid and lazy. I think also that my confidence level has gone up too, so I'm a little more out there. Maybe a little friendlier.