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

I went to an orthopedic surgeon because of knee pain. He suggested I look into this surgery before I could have knee replacement.

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

Once my PCP figured out who to send the paper work to, and what it was they wanted, it only took a week to get approval. My BMI was 59.1

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

Very positive. The surgeon was genuinely caring and knew all that I had tried before, and why it didn't work. I had researched him, and found he had 10+ experience with this type of surgery. I felt comfortable, but very nervous and a little excited. He went over all the pro's and con's and thought this surgery would be ideal for me.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I would end up dead or at least in a wheelchair. I was taking narcotics for the pain in my knees, and didn't want to go through life like this.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The surgeon told me that the open RNY distal was what he would recommend. I agreed.

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 could have died either way. At 370 pounds, there was not many more pharmicuetical options left. My daughter was engaged to be married, and I wanted to be there.

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 father, sister, husband, daughter, future son in law and most of my coworkers were very supportive. They were alol concerned for my health.

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

I planned the surgery during summer break ( I work at an elementary school) My principal was all for it! I had surgery July 11, and went back to work (a desk job) the first week of August, in time for registration. Since then, I have had one sick day, because of a cold.

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

I had surgery on a Friday, and went home the following Tuesday. The main pain I had was from the Jackson-Pratt drain site. (I went home with the drain.) I had a low hemoglobin post op and had 3 units of blood to bring that up. The drain site caused me pain, and I returned to the emergency room the following Saturday to have it removed. There was a little infection at the drain site that was cured with an antibiotic. I brought nothing but a clean change of clothes to the hospital. They provided gowns, meds, everyting I would need for the stay. I was not fond of the "push button" pain med delivery system, but after the first day, it was tolerable. The bed was comfortable for the most part. The staff was incredible! VERY caring and considerate.

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

The low hemoglobin, the drain site infection, and a somewhat humorous incident in the shower. The 3rd post op day, I was taken to a shower. As an aide removed my dressing, I "spouted" a bloody, serous drainage from teh bottom of the surgical wound. It frightened the poor aide, but she tried to reassure me I was not bleeding to death! The doctor was on the ward making rounds, and encourged me to sqeeze the area to get rid of any remaining fluid. It was quite a learning experience for the entire ward!

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

Very nervous, yet excited. I was afraid of dying, afraid the procedure wouldn't work, afraid of the surgical pain, and of the inconvenience of being out of work for a few weeks.

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

I cried ALOT! Partly from hormones, partly because I didn't know what to expect (as far as eating from now one), and partly from missing the life style that got me into this prediciment in the first place! Take your time, and let things happen. It took several years to get to this place, and will will take awhile to get used to your new lifestyle. BE PATIENT!!

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

60 miles from home to the hospital.

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.

At first it was liquids. Broth, juice, sugar free popsicles. That got old faast. Before I left the hospital, I was n pureed foods. Instant mashed potatoes, pureed beef stew, pureed cottage cheese (yuk!). Eggs didn't go down well. I gradually (with in 2 weeks time) got off of the pureed foods to more solids. Yogurt, Carnation Sugar Free Instant Breakfast, sugar free puddings. I developed an intolerance to milk, and bought Lactose free milk, which worked much better. I could not tolerate the whey protein. I went for high protein ground beef, cheeses, and the lactose free milk to provide my 60 grams of daily protein. After the first month, I could very tender roast beef (that was cooked all day), but could not tolerate chicken, pork, or seafood. At this time, 3 months post op, I eat casseroles with ground beef, bite size chicken, shrimp and some fish. I can basically eat anything I want, in small amounts.

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

I was weak for about 2 weeks post op- then I got bored. After I wne t back to work, it got easier for me to move around. I got to the point that I could shop without the use of those nifty little electric carts!

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

I take One a Day Weight Loss vitamins. I didn't like the chewables or the liquids.

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 have dumped 3 times- all from eating too fast. I have vomited twice- also from eating too fast. I have niot had hairloss yet. I'm working on slowing my eating and concentrating on chewing carefully.

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

The day before surgery- not knowing what to expect, even after all the research and talks with the dietician, surgical nurse, doctors, etc.

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

I go to a support group once a month- it has really helped me to stay positive. We drive the 60 miles gladly. One of the surgeons talks and answers questions for the first hour, then the last hour we either break into small groups, or have speakers.

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

It healed pretty quickly. Much faster thatn any of the other surgeries I've had.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

These are truly horrible. I weighed the exact same amount for 2 weeks- I paniced! I finally called my PCP and got a diuretic due to pitting edema in my legs. I immediately lost 9 pounds, then another 10. I'm at that point again, and have another appointment to see if zI need a diuretic on an occassional basis. I feel it's hormonally pprovoked.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really. My mother in law said she was proud of me- I told her if she could be proud of me when I was fat, not to bother being proud of me when I'm losing weight.