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

I had briefly heard something on a radio ad in Cincinnati, Oh about 5 years ago, and thought, that is for me, that's the only way out, and I called their number, and they told me that because I didn't have a lot of money, and only was covered by medicaid at the time that I was just out of luck. I still got the brochures and dreamed about having it done.

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

Thank God, I didn't have any problems getting insurance approval. Mostly because when I was ready to have surgery, I have the 80/20 plan which covers a lot more things. So, even though it meant coming out of pocket quite a bit, I didn't care. My advice is to see it through if you choose, but I had sort of made peace that if it didn't come through the first time, it wasn't meant to be. But I don't know if I would have been denied if that would have been my same attitude.

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

My first visit was wonderful. He sat down on the couch, kicked off his shoes, and really go to know ME and how I wanted this to work for me and how I would work for it. My surgeon also requires you to lose some weight prior to surgery (which I am now glad about, wasn't then)so he laid down high expectations, which I appreciated. We also had to attend one of his support group meetings before you can make an appointment to see him, which I think gave you a lot of the information so that you had informative questions to ask at the time of the consult. I think it advisable to attend such a meeting before your appointment. It will help you come up with questions you may not have had prior.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had looked into it for 5 years, so when the opportunity came up, and I found out what a perfect Dr. my surgeon was, there was NOTHING that could have held me back. I also know that I wanted to be a Mom that really ran around with her kid, going to the beach which he LOVES, and I wouldn't go anywhere, I was ashamed, and I didn't want him to be ashamed of me either.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon only does the open Roux-n-Y, and I didn't see anything else that compared to these gold standards.

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?

Everything happened so fast for me, because I was battling really hard losing pre-op weight, I really didn't have time to get scared, I just was thinking THANK GOD I DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE!!!! I was worried after surgery about dying, even when things were going well, I was afraid of the leaking of the pouch and thought that I had been stupid for doing the surgery, look at what I had risked, but in hind sight, I risked very little for the LARGE amount of confidence, better health, attitude, all that. I would say that it's healthy to have some fears, otherwise you may not pay attention to some of the dangers.

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 very hesitant, she didn't like the idea of me having surgery (I don't blame her), but my Grandma was tickled. Friends were both negative and supportive. It really just didn't matter to me. I knew what I wanted to do, and really any time they tried to put doubts in my mind, it would push me that much closer to surgery. After the surgery, everyone was wonderful in asking me how it was going, and fascinated by the changes. I am glad that I didn't hold back and not tell anyone about it. I know that a lot of people will not tell anyone about it, and I just felt like telling the world!!!

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

My employer really wasn't happy about my decision, she thought it to be a little much and not necessary. I explained why I needed to have it done, told her that I would work around their schedule, since it really is elective in timing, and I was only off work for one week.

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

My hospital stay was great. The staff was in there every two hours on the hour to make sure that I was walking, making sure that I had anything I needed to make my pain tolerable (the pain shots). I was only there overnight, leaving early the next morning. Most important thing to bring is comfortable clothing to walk around in.

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

I had a pretty good little bout of anxiety attacks and depression after surgery. It was a realitization that I wasn't ready for. All of a sudden I completely lost my best friend (food) and things would never be the same. That was quite crazy. I got back on my anxiety medicine, and once I was able to start eating a couple of things, and not so petrified to try eating things it got better. I wish that people would have had a couple of posting about how the first few weeks can be difficult with head hunger. I felt like I was doing something wrong.

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

Everything moved so quickly, trying to get lose ends tied up at work to go have the surgery, it all happened in like 3 weeks, so there was no time for any anxiety. I was just ready.

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

To get up and do a lot of walking a lot of the time. Blood clots will form, so walking often is the best thing in the world. I wore holes in my carpet walking a little path. You should expect to have to deal with a lot of things, as there is nothing to keep your mind occupied..... for me at least. I was happiest to go back to work to keep my mind completely off FOOD>

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

The hospital was only 10 minutes away from my house. No big deal at all

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.

I was only allowed ice chips for the first 4 days after surgery, then one ounce of crystal light or 1 oz popsicle every 4 hours for the first week. Then I was allowed broth, tomato soup second week, third week, same thing, 4th week, I was allowed eggs(yuck), crackers, angel hair pasta overcooked, moist chicken, and then after that week, I was allowed to start trying things one at a time to see how I tolerated. I tolerate everything with the exception of milk really well. I can no longer have a bowl of cereal with milk, It makes me really sick.

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

I didn't have much energy in the first week because I had to get up and walk and do a feeding tube every 4 hours. But, once I was allowed to sleep through the night after a week, and was back at work, I felt great, I could walk anywhere, I didn't tire real easily.

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

I fed myself ensure through a feeding tube for the first 7 weeks after surgery, then when that was taken out, I started taking B complex, Vitamin E, Chewable multi-vitamin, and vitamin C. I also get b-12 shots whenever I see my surgeon for followup appointments.

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?

I really have been SUPER lucky, because aside from a little bit of hair coming out here and there, almost the same as before, I havn't had these problems.

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

Coping with the loss of eating food as you knew it.

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

I have really watched the obesityhelp.com website and found that this has really helped me through everything, and then turning around and being able to answer someone else's questions makes you feel like you have grown through a part of the healing, and in fact heals you more. I see my surgeon regularly, and he is a wonderful support. I cannot always make it to his support group meetings, but I always can manage to bring up the website.

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

My scar looks beautiful. It's only about 3 1/2 inches long, this is including having my gull bladder removed at the same time. I think my surgeon did an unbelievable job. When the staples were in it, it was so clean and neat, I thought he got a level out to make sure every staple was exactly perfect. That's how good he is!!!! Go

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have not yet to date had any... thank God... but, there have been times when I thought that I wasn't losing anything, actually thought that I was gaining, and found that I was actually losing. I only weight once a month, so there is a lot of time that I really don't know what is happeneing, which I have found to be a good thing. Checking every day made me CRAZY!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

ABSOLUTELY! I think a lot of it is how I carry myself now, with more confidence coming out, you are going to get more positive feedback everywhere else also.