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

I don't remember when I FIRST heard about it... but I thought if it worked, then it was great... just didn't know the specifics or long term effects, and the hair loss part initially scared me away for a couple years.

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

Ugh. BE SURE YOUR INSURANCE AND SURGEON COMMUNICATE AND ARE 100% CLEAR ON WHAT IS BEING PERFORMED ON YOU AND WHAT THEY AGREE TO COVER. Not only did I need like 8 different tests and 6 months of supervised dieting BEFORE being approved, I'm still jumping through hoops with them now, at 7 months post-op. The hospital and my insurance are STILL debating on whether my stay in the ICU should be covered because my gallbladder removal was not TECHNICALLY approved, and not made clear to me or my surgeon. Great West Healthcare will weasel out of paying for as much as they can by OMITTING details.

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

Considering my surgeon is the only surgeon currently doing WLS in Fairbanks, I didn't have much of an "interview" process. My surgeon is a very nice guy and when we had our first meeting, he explained the basics of the surgery. What he physically does to your body. There wasn't much mentioned about aftercare, besides the regular 2 week, 1 month, 3 month, 6 month, 12 year out check ups. Honestly, everything I learned about the surgery, I did on my own research. I didn't have a choice of what surgeon to use because of limited financial means, but I would go for anyone who does it Lap!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I felt like I was drowning in something that I couldn't pull out of on my own. I was tired of being in pain and it affecting my attitude and outlook on life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

It was the only type my surgeon does right now, but I had thought about the DS, but I'd heard that people tend to have more intestinal problems post-op, as compared to stomach/nausea problems that RNY post-ops have... I weighed the pros and cons of each, but would rather have puking problems than intestinal to be honest LOL

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 went through a very... "quiet" time, I'll call it. I spent a lot of time alone, thinking... contemplating what I was going to go through. In a way, I felt like I was preparing to mourn my "old" self, as though that "me" would die by having the surgery. I knew it would be a physical AND mental challenge, but I never had actual fears of physically dying on the operating table though.. *shrug*

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 mom was initially opposed to it, years and years ago when I mentioned it in passing. It's not something she would go through, therefor, didn't really want me to think about it. But after having chronic back pain for 3-4 years and nothing helping to alleviate the pain, and being unable to exercise, it was just obvious that it was the right choice, so everyone respected it. One of my friends had "2nd thoughts" FOR me, but only because they were worried about the actual surgery. But for the most part, people thought it would be a good decision.

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

My boss is a very personable salesman type, so looks, of course, are important in that career field, so of course he was all for bettering myself. I planned to take 2 weeks off, but ended up taking 3 because I had minor complications and did have an open surgery, so I had like a 10" scar to heal.

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

I was in a regular hospital room for 4 days after being in ICU for 3, and let me tell you, I wish to God that I had brought EARPLUGS!!!!!!!! I couldn't get hardly any sleep and people's machines kept beeping around me. I'm glad I don't remember too much from that week.

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

My heart rate went up in surgery and wouldn't come down for 3 days, so I was put in ICU. I think they gave me something to prevent blood clotting, but it made me bleed internally where my gallbladder had been removed, so I needed 2 units of packed red blood. Then found out from experience that I'm indeed allergic to morphine or anything related. I was having horrible, terrifying nightmares (like that I wanted a drink so badly, and ended up splitting open my freshly stitched stomach) and started itching like mad all over my body. So I didn't get to stay on the good drugs too long ;) It sucked though, I had gained 15 lbs of fluid, and I could barely move, being so swollen. Ugh, it was definitely the most uncomfortable time of my life.

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

The only pain I had was adhesions under my scars... they seemed to go away by 6 months out... I didn't feel any anxiety until about 4 months out, but it was actual physical anxiety, because my thyroid got out of whack for a couple months and I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism for a minute or two ;)

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

I just hope you have someone to help you out. Maybe with a Lap surgery it's easier, but having a 10" scar, it's difficult to sit, walk, move, go to the bathroom, shower... expect a TON of discomfort, but without struggle there is no prize right?

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

I had it in my hometown.

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.

It's funny because scrambled eggs are pretty much the first thing on your list of food for after the hospital, but I couldn't tolerate them for nothing. I still can't eat scrambled eggs... fried eggs, sure, boiled, alright.. but not scrambled... luckily I was/am still able to drink milk, as protein is important now and being liquid, made some protein easy to get down. I ate a lot of soup for the first couple months. and Mashed potatoes... uhh, protein shakes... Around 2 months out, I started to tolerate more food, but I tended to throw up a lot for a while... maybe for 2 months or so, I'd say I threw up half my meals... or at least had the "foamies" and needed to spit for like 10-15 min after meals. Throwing up is definitely easier post-op... it's more like a baby spitting up. Anyways. At 6 months out, I kinda freaked because I could suddenly tolerate a LOT more variety of food. But that was good because I'd gotten sick on so much early out that I was afraid to try things again, and I wasn't getting enough variety. Up until then I was making a meal out of one or two foods, and at 6 months, I noticed I could eat bigger portions of these one or two foods. So, I had to start trying more food and eating even smaller portions so I get a more balanced meal. Food I avoid 99-100% of the time: Any "Chinese/Asian" cuisine unless it's sushi, and then I can't eat much rice rice/noodles.. unfortunately.. I used to LOVE noodles.. therein lays one of the parts of the "old" me that died a little... lol :( excess bread (I'll tear away excess on wraps, burritos, etc. and only eat open-faced sanwiches) ice cream/desserts soda (though I have had a little slip-ups now and again.. I just HAD to have a Mt. Dew one day... til I felt like I was gonna puke!.. I do sip on diet sodas now and then.. I've had MAYBE 5 in 7 months post-op, but I'm seen with my 64 oz. bottle of Crystal Lite 99% of the time I go anywhere. fast/fried food (I do have an occasional fish sandwich or a small cheeseburger now and then, but no fries, shakes, or anything else at fast food restaurants) green, leafy lettuce... unfortunately.. I was hoping I could tolerate it after a few months, but I still can't eat much of a salad.. it just doesn't digest well.. Candy (doesn't include chocolate now and then as a treat though... hey I just can't give up SOME things ok??!) Steak.. yes, I eat steak, but it has to be so rare that some would consider it unhealthy... same with Pork chops.. so I don't eat them much. lol Foods that saved me from a death of monotony in the early months: tuna tomato soup condiments (It really helps to flavor tuna too.. add a little BBQ sauce.. mmm.. just try to get low-fat condiments.. as I'm sure they're not too healthy LOL) soy crisps (at around 2 months out and after) cream of chicken cup o soups soft, non-peppered jerky (2 months out and after + good protein!) popcorn (don't eat for 6-8 weeks post-op, then try with caution.. I've hear some people can get the kernel husks stuck in their pouches.. ow!) Chocolate protein powder.. (forget all the fancy flavors.. it all comes back around to good, ol' CHOCOLATE!)

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

I didn't get to exercise for about a month or 2 after surgery, mostly because I was swollen and sore for a good 8 weeks and it was hard to walk, but I definitely got back into going to the gym as soon as I could. Because of my hospital stay, my back had been in uncomfortable situations, so my back pain had not gotten better until 3-4 months after surgery... my other leg was actually in pain right after surgery for a while, but things eventually corrected themselves. My energy was good after surgery... I went through a low around 2 months out and wanted to sleep all the time, then I had the hyperthyroid period (4-6 months out) and it was AWESOME for a kick in the pants... I was always on edge though and anxious, beyond my control. But I had endless energy.. I walked at least 1.5 mi 5-6 times a week, then took up Karate at around 5 months out. I have noticed that I'm a little more tired now, but I was always a sleep hog and I tend to crash and burn on the weekends.

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

Chewable Prenatal vitamin and (when I remember) sub-lingual b12 drops. My bloodwork has come back within normal ranges so far, and my "reserve" iron is particularly high, and my doctor doesn't know why.

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?

Hair loss: Started 2 weeks after surgery. Got pretty bad around month 3-4... it's started to slow now, but hasn't stopped completely. Depending on who you talk to, hair loss cannot be prevented no matter how much protein you get in, and I know I haven't met the 80-100 grams of protein "required" daily, since day 1. So it may have to do with it or not. This was a worry to me particularly because over the last 10 years, I've "acquired" an OCD that has to do with pulling/twisting my hair and I've done my own damage before the hair loss. So have a lot of short, fly-away hairs, and it is kinda thin on the crown of my head, but I'm dealing with it and still haven't cut my hair, like so many post-oppers do. Dumping: Well my first dumping, was on liquid adult strength Tylenol, 2 weeks after surgery. Only for me, it wasn't immediate puking, or diarrhea... I just felt like my body had been put on slow motion.... with a close resemblance to being drunk. My heart pounded and I just needed to sit down and let it pass. After that, I dumped on soup... but only because I think I sipped too much too quickly, and that was when I was less than 1 month post-op. After that, I've only dumped on excess sugar... hence why I avoid ice cream now. A child's cup of ice cream made me drunk, dizzy and on slo-mo mode. I even felt sick on a piece of sugar free candy.. I think it has to do with the sugar alcohols... oddly enough, I don't dump on chocolate (unless I eat an insane amount or eat BAKED chocolate goods (brownies, cookies, etc)). At 7 months out, I don't dump hardly at all, but I don't try to eat anything that I know will make me. I like knowing it's there to keep me on track... and I'm glad that it's not so severe that I can't eat an apple or something (I've heard that has happened!). Sleep Disturbance: The only problems sleeping I had was right after surgery, and I had to sleep on the couch for about a week. Then when I got back into sleeping in my bed, I think I'd already lost weight in my hips, because my hips and butt were really sore and bruised easily, and my bed didn't feel comfortable for like a month. But that passed. Feeling Cold: When winter hit this year, I was constantly freezing. I wore my jacket all day, wear long johns under my pants, even when working out.

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

The worst part of any surgery is healing time. You have to be committed to this entire process and must realize that you WILL have difficult days. But never did I once ask myself "what I did doooooo??" or "why did I do this!?!?" I asked for this, and I dealt with the ups as well as the downs.

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

We do have a local support group that I attended during my pre-op diet, but I participate in an online community now, and read and post daily and weekly. This is very important, so you can compare your progress and help you to know where you could or should be at a certain point. Plus, if your surgeon isn't too extensive (well.. never GO to one who isn't unless you have no choice), you can get a wealth of knowledge from asking what other surgeons have done.

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

I guess I didn't know what to expect, so it's better than I thought. I did have to go have a stitch put in at the ER one night because the sterry-strips had come off and the very bottom of my scar, by my belly button split open and wouldn't hold close with a band-aid. After that I had no problems HEALING... But at first I didn't think I'd ever be able to stand up straight again or because to stretch my arms over my head. I feel completely normal now.... the lower half of my scar, that resides on old stretch marks has healed the nicest, ironically... the top part of my scar is a little more raised and red.. the only problem I've had from it was a tearing feeling under the skin (adhesions), but I don't get them often now, and ITCHING! I used Mederma as much as I could remember right after surgery, maybe that helped? I hope so, it's expensive! :)

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had the infamous 3 week plateau.. 3 weeks out, and I don't think I lost anything for about a week or 2... then I had another small plateau around 3 months out, and another one at 6.. they both lasted around 3 weeks, and my weigh would fluctuate 5 lbs. up and down. My rate of loss has been approx: surgery-1 month out: 5 lbs. / week 2-4 months: 2 lbs. / week 6-current: 1 lb / week

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES. I updated all my personal ads I'd had on a couple different sites, and suddenly had a TON of replies and hits. My boss at work constantly mentions it. So much so that I had to personally ask him to be more quiet about it because it was started to get personal and was seemingly being used as excuses for other things. Men reach OUT to put their hand on my back or shoulder when brushing by me at clubs, instead of doing anything NOT to touch me.