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

Have heard about it over the years from celebraties, but always thought that it was risky and dangerous, not at all for me, until.... the day my PCP suggested it. He told me that I was really healthy except for my diabetes and excess weight, and that after dealing with diabetes management, this would be easier and much more motivating. Seeing that my PCP was having a really bad monday, his shirt collar was unbuttoned & tie hanging undone at 3pm., I honestly thought he was finally cracking under stress and not thinking straight. When he left the exam room and came back with the referral paperwork and names of surgeons to call----I knew he wasn't delusional. Knowing him and that he is not just my PCP, but a very good friend & co-worker of my husband, I knew to take a serious look at this option, as my PCP would not joke about it!

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

I've had no problems getting the approval. My surgeon knew that my PCP recommended it and wrote the letter to my insurance carrier. Met all the criteria and did not even need to have a psyc. consultation.

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

Fantastic! By learning as much as possible about the surgery before hand and having a list of questions and concerns.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Reading that many people with type 2 diabetes have no more need of their medication---even if it would not be "cured", I would still be using much less medication than I am now, and that would prolong the time till "IS", (Insulin Shot), day! Most chronicaly ill people, and those who are deceased, would agree that any extra days in life are really worth it!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

By comparing the different procedures and talking with my best friend and husband about it.

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'm a diabetic and the fears I have about diabetic complications seem to be greater than surgery complications. To me they are just a fact of life, and may or may not happen, why waste time, stress, and effort worrying about them? As far as telling people about fears and dying, it is what I as a diabetic support group leader tell my diabetics: "that I wish I had a crystal ball to look into and see how each of us will be dying, will it be from a heart attack, an infections from an amputation, or will it simply be from a car hitting you while you take a walk in the park, it simply can't be predicted. But, you can spend your time worrying and stressing about death & complications, or you can spend your time living your life and doing the most that you can to prevent them. Pesonally, I'll go for living rather than worrying"!

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?

Family has been very supportive of my decision and why I am doing this. They understand and see things from my point of view. Many of my friends have very little understanding of why I'm doing this and think that I'm totally insane, partly because I do not usually share the management & living with diabetes part of my life with them. However, my "diabetic support" friends are behind my decision and always had the "what ever you feel is best, we'll be there for you" attitude. After talking with several friends and having their initial reactions be to talk me out of it, I'm tired of needing to justify myself, and I've decide that I'm just not going to mention it to others outside of my family. I have the support of my family, my "diabetic friends", and most importantly my PCP, if I need more than that, I know that I will be able to find additional support through this site and other on-line communities.

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

I work part-time from home, not in an office, as an on-line support group leader for diabetics, and my supervisor is also a diabetic. He understand exactly why and what I'm doing. Since he is on the Pacific coast and I'm on the East coast, I told him in an e-mail, and that I'd be making a few posts within our community about it for support that I need, and to increase general community traffic. He was the first person to tell me to follow my heart, that he will support me in any way, not to worry if my backup person needs to cover for me for awhile (I'd do it for by backup person without hesitation), and that if I want to contact the person on which they featured in an article on gastric by-pass 2 months ago----he'd have her contact me. What more could I ask for other than a raise:=)

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

5 days. Similar to being in prison! Most improtant thing to bring was a sense of humor and TV schedule! I had a bad experience since my roommate was uneducated, inconsiderate, and awful---terminal with inoperative cancer, and didn't understand what inoperable cancer was. Second most important thing would be to bring antibacterial toilet cleaning wipes---my roommate had bad diariah and the toilet we shared needed to be seen by housekeeping after each time she used it, I ended up asking my hubby to bring wipes in!

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 had from Thursday to Wednesday to get all pre-op testing and everything ready for my surgery date---that's right less than one week, so I did not have time for anxiety or any feelings.

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

Have someone there to step & fetch for you! You don't realize how much nurses & aides do for you! Also check out the reclining chair and bed situation before going into the hospital! Make sure that you have someone there to wipe your butt, and are comfortable with that person doing it! My bowels didn't move while I was in the hosptial, but sure did the first hour avter being home!

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

Not far 15 minutes from my home!

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.

First 10 days home was liquids only. Then soft foods of eggs, pasta, and mashed potatoes till 6 week exam. Then I got all limitations lifted. The only things that have ever given me problems are meats. Ground beef & ground products are fine. Poultry is difficult when dry. Knowing this I limit my meats and don't miss it.

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

I felt the fact that I had surgery for several weeks. If I went out, I'd get tired and sometimes need an extra nap. At week 5, I had trementdous energy, and couldn't wait to get all activity restrictions lifted. At 7 weeks I was able to go back to the gym and begin working out----I was back to my old 1 hour of aerobic machines and one weight machine circut 3 times a week in 2 weeks. I have energy to burn!

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

Bugs Bunny complete, 2 a day. Viactive calcium supplements 2 a day.

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?

No side effects. Just really don't like the scar and sagging skin.

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

None! My surgeon & PCP had major differences about my post care, and the surgeon forced me to choose between him & my PCP----since I chose the PCP, the surgeon won't allow me to attend his support group. Luckily, I'm a strong person with a great PCP, and my PCP is my biggest supporter!

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

UGLY!!!! I would have rather had it done LAP, but hey when your surgeon is the only one going a VBG in your city, and that is the procedure you prefer, sometimes you need to make compromises---an ugly scar can be acceptable.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

One or two for a few days, usually the week before my period. I just watch what I eat and make it a point to get in some extra activity or exercise.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Actually, they notice that I treat them differently. I'm more confiedent and will express my feelings more than in the past. I also refuse to do things I hate---like pick up after my son & husband!