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

My step Mother had surgery in the eary 80's . I am a Nurse so have been aware of this surgery for yrs. Initial impression, How awesome that there is life for the obese, there is hope.

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

Called and made appointment with surgeon. Took with me a list of all diets with record of lost wt and regained wt from that diet. Brought with me pics of that last few yrs. MD office sent in paper work and within 2 weeks I was approved. Get all of your records even your own of how, when and type of diet you have been on and the results bring with you pics. List of co-morbidities. Please tell the Dr that you need this surgery to be healthy. Looking better is a plus but isn't a reason for surgery.

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

Very Informative, he described what he would be doing, the type of surgery. I watched a video. And was scheduled for lab work. I already had seen and convinced my cardiologist that I needed this done. Had psych exam already. EGD and Colonoscopy done. Listen and ask question, write down what is told to you and take a few minutes to absorb the info and then ask questios.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was 231 lbs and was unable to lose weight and keep it off. Went to LA weight loss Center and they wouldn't let me join R/T having had a stent in my heart. At the rate I was going at 5-10 lbs gain yr I would have been 300 lbs in another few yrs.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted restriction with malabsorption. Only wanted some malabsorption not enought to cause significant problems in the future.

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?

Leaving my children was my gratest fear but then I thought if I don't do this I would die and leae them anyway. I neer stressed about having this surgery. Never questioned before I had it if it was the right choice or not. I knew it was my one chance to be healthy again

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

Stayed 1 night in ICU R/T heart concerns (have a stent) another 3 days on the Bariatric floor. Bring PJ's (pants) a little large, slippers and hair brush, mouth care products. And what ever you decide to wear home.

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

Atelectasis, walking and deep breathing although that hurts like heck...

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 and impatient. only had 2 weeks to wait. Didn't have any anxiety, went shopping for new PJ's.

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

from 1-3 day I cryed and prayed and wondered what has I done to myself. I was sick, sore butnot scared just wondering if I had made a mistake. After those initial days and after getting off of the pain meds I mentally felt better and have never questioned my decision again. Can expect for some Nausea, vomiting, feeling as if something is stuck in the throat.

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

250 miles one way. Never been a concern with my after care, I would drive that to see this Dr. he is so special and caring. Anytime I have needed him there is his nurse that will talk with me one the phone and I can see him in a days notice.

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.

1st week liquids, 2nd semi-solids, 3rd solids I can no longer eat BBQ sauces or things like this because of the sugars (still the same) chicken is a bummer for my tiny pouch. The first few months I lived off of hambureger with melted cheese and eggs when I could stomach them. And now 8 mts I avoid sauces and most carbs. Except what is in my Nacho chips. Been eating them since mt 2 with cheese slices on top.

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

First few weeks was weak and tired no energy but did make myself walk to prevent clots and pneumonia. Had surgery in Aug. went back to work one mt later by Dec. after working I realized that I still didn't have the energy to do y job so I took off another mt and worked only 36 hrs a week. Now 8 mts out most day I have more energy than I have had in many yrs.

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

B12 injectable, chewable multi-vit, chewable calcium with vit D. Tried protein shakes and powders to mix but those are nasty tasting so I could do those.

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 and vomiting was the worse. Things might go down the throat but tend to come back out the nose. I did get choked once at about 2 mts out on a piece of chicken (several hrs after eating it) that scared me to death thought I was going to die in my truck sitting in the Hospital parking lot. HAir loss at about 5-6 mts out didn't use anything I knew that it would stop on it's on once my body adjusted to the new amount of nutrients that I was taking in

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

2nd day post off I ask for pain med and the RN said I couldn't have anthing for another 4 hrs, well being an RN myself I knew that there was an order for breakthrough pain. So instead of dealing with this Nurse I paged the Hospital Supervisor and was given something in I'd say 5 minutes. I think that was the worse although they had a hard time intubatin me small oral cavity, had to do it before I was asleep, took 4-5 trys ( i had medicine on board some versed) and I can somewhat recall this although it was worse for the MD's than for me I think.

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

Only support is and was from a friend that had RNY 2 mts before me. Best help.

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

so small and have to hunt for them to find them. and yes this is what I expected with Lap surgery.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

first mt lost 20 lbs 2nd only 4. every mt have averaged 8-13 lbs with some weeks in these mts where the scales didn't move but then they would. never concerned over the scales not moving I just realized that my body had to catch up with the wt I had lost. When I did see that the scales weren't moving I would up my food intake to get them moving again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Oh yes, talk to me not over me. look at me. Always compliments.