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

A few acquaintences had surgery successfully. No initial opinion either way. I tried everything, was successful at first but gained it bace. I was just about to start another program when I flippantly said I would even consider the surgery. My mother encouraged me to look into it and within 2 months I am post op.

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

Well unfortunately the best advice I can give is to really research your insurance before you ever enroll in the plan. The cheapest is not ever the best. I am self employed so my little scam plan, ofcourse did nothing for me. I ended up forking out $12,000.00 for it.

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

Dr. Gibbs in Little Rock AR. has a free seminar. I attended that and was impressed. He was very caring and seemed sufficiently skilled. I think you should do research first, develop your list of questions and take them with you. Pick out a few supplements you would like to use and take them for him to ok. and write down his responses.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I felt it to be my last resort.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr. Gibbs felt more comfortable with the open procedure and that was enough for me (open RNY) Since I was self pay, the lap procedure was twice the price as well which also enticed my decision.

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 had some fears of pulmonary embolism or pneumonia. I had serious concerns but ultimately your faith will get you through. God does not need your help. Trust Him and all will be as it is supposed to be. I felt God put this surgeon and surgery in my path for a reason and He got me through it just fine.

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 family was very supportive or quiet. That is all I could ask for. If they were going to be supportive, I would discuss it and if they weren't I appreciated their respectful silence.

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

I am self employed. I own a weight control clinic so the reactions will be mixed I am sure. I will have to stay on our program to be successful anyway so I believe most will be supportive. I will be off 2 weeks

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

Well the day of surgery was horrible. I have a very low threshold for pain and my epidural did not work. I finally talked the nurses into speaking to the surgeon about switching me to a Demerol Patient Controled Administration (PCA) pump and that worked well. My nurses were nice all except one who treated clean technique as optional. I had surgery on Monday, Released on Thursday. The best things to take are: a light robe or button down nighty or two, elastic headband, chapstick, baby wipes, shampoo and SLIPPERS!!

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

I had a slight temperature on day two but just do YOUR BREATHING EXERCISES RELIGOUSLY AND WALK.

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 like the date would never get here. I just read the message boards often.

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

I felt pretty awful for the first 3.5 weeks. I was very sore and tired. I found it difficult to get into a routine. I tried foods too early and had trouble with that, but all in all each day gets a tiny bit better. I thought I would lose faster than I have, but I am ok with the results.

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

I traveled 200 miles. My physician has no aftercare that I know of especially for long distant patients.

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 has been 4 weeks now and I can eat just about anything I want. I have dabbled in some sugar foods, but just a little and it hasnt hurt me. I was kind of dissappointed that I did not become just deathly ill at the smallest bite of bad stuff. I have no will power and was depending on this surgery to force it upon me. No such luck. lol. I ate very little the first week post op. I tried to jump the gun and go for meat on week 2 but that did not work. I backed off and tried again in week 4 and no problems. I can not tolerate diet soda, yuk. I drink a lot of water now and find the most difficult change is not drinking with meals. That is a hard one. I still have one or two tiny sips just to get it down. I can eat a child's portion and feel ok sometimes and stuffed at others. I tried to eat 1/2 of a 6 inch Subway tuna sandwich and had my first and only dumping experience. I think it was the bread. The most interesting thing I think is that I do not crave bread as I used to. I find myself tasting it and that is enough where before, I could make a steady diet of it. During the first weeks I missed salad terribly. I really enjoy it now though. Ranch dressing used to be my favorite and now I find myself really enjoying vinegar and oil. My fav meal would have to be a good chef salad. If I eat it slow, I find myself being able to eat a good portion of it because the vegies compact so much and are not filling.

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

what activity level? It is now 5 weeks post op and I still get tired easily. I must say it is getting better but it is a slow process.

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

I take a Flinstones multivitamin and one or two protein supplements. I also take a chewable fiber supplement which really helps.

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?

some slight nausia, no vomiting or any other problems really, just the slow recovery overall.

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

RECOVERY ROOM. The initial pain is really tough. After that, I think trying to feel normal especially in social situations. I go out to eat with friends or family and do not enjoy it much at all. That is the point though. If we could find other activities to enjoy that have nothing to do with food, we wouldnt be in the predicerment we are in I guess.

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

just books and web support groups. I feel success would be multiplied with a proper aftercare program. I live very rurally and do not have access to that.

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

Just beautiful. I think it will fade and be only minimally noticable.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

No plateau really, just overall slow.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

no not really