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

I first found out about bariatric surgery when I saw an ad in the paper for the Bariatric Treatment Center. I was very excited after reading all the positive results everyone talked about. I was pretty doubtful that it would work for me though, because I had failed so many other times at trying to lose weight. My first post-op check-up proved me wrong though when I got on the scale and saw that I'd lost 25 pounds!

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

My experience with the insurance company was very uneventful. BTC took care of obtaining the approval. My surgery was approved around six weeks after the first letter was sent.

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

I did a lot of research on the Roux-en-Y before my consultation, so mostly I what I had learned with my surgeon. My husband was very apprehensive, and didn't want me to have the surgery. After the consultation, he was so much more at ease with the idea. My suggestion to those going to their initial consultation is to write all of your questions down, all of them, even if you think it's a stupid question.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

After years and years of unsuccessful attempts to lose weight, I was very motivated after reading the success stories from BTC patients. Because I had been so unsuccessful in losing weight in the past, I really felt that this was the only way I could finally be successful.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I only researched the RNY and was pleased with what I had found out, so I didn't look any further.

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 was actually very calm about the surgery. I didn't have any fears. The major risks are very minimal, so completely kept them out of my mind.

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?

I chose not to tell many people about my surgery because it was a very personal decision I had made for myself. Also, I find it embarrassing to discuss my weight with people. But those that I did tell were very excited for me. Some grilled me more than others did about the details and risks. Afterwards, everyone was very supportive. Those that I didn't tell told me they wished I had told them, and I wish I had too. It really shows that they genuinely care about me.

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

My supervisor, having struggled with her weight also, was very supportive of me and didn't have any complaints about the time I am supposed to be off. I am 4 weeks post-op, and am scheduled to return to work in two weeks.

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

My stay at the hospital was excellent. The facility I had surgery at is a bariatric hospital, so that's all they do there. I shared a room with someone who had had the same procedure I had. The people were very friendly and compassionate, and treated me as if I was the only patient they had. My surgery was on a Friday, and I went home on Monday morning. They provided me with a pillow to take home with me, but if your hospital doesn't, please be sure to take one for the ride home. If you hold it against your tummy, it really helps with the bumps in the road. It also helps to hold it against you if you have to cough.

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

Other than vomiting the day after my surgery, I had no complications. The vomiting lasted only that day. The nurses gave me medicine to help control the vomiting. They also said that was fairly normal.

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

After finding out my surgery was approved, I was very excited!! I walked around as if I was on cloud nine. About two weeks later, they called with a date for my surgery. It was really hard to keep my mind on anything else after that. I was excited to have the surgery, but wasn't anxious at all.

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

I was very tired all the time. Getting in and out of the bed at home was a bit difficult, but the nurses had given me tips on how to do it at the hospital, and I just applied those tips at home. I took my pain medicine like clock-work for the first week and a half. I would suggest that friends and family be helpful, but not too helpful. Each time you get in or out of bed, it gets easier. That last thing one should do is become a couch potato. It's best to get up and move around.

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

I traveled about 75 miles for my surgery and aftercare. It didn't affect my decision or aftercare at all. It was only about an hour and 20 minute drive, so it wasn't bad 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.

The first few days after surgery, it was really difficult to get anything down. I simply wasn't hungry, but I knew I needed to eat and get fluids in me, especially after they took my IV out. For the first week, all I had was sugar-free jello, chicken or beef broth and sugar-free popsicles. Beginning with week two, I was able to progress to full liquids, which included milk and creamed soups. My stomach did hurt the first time I drank milk, so I progressed to full liquids very slowly over about a three-day time frame. I am now on pureed foods, which my body is tolerating very well, but my taste buds aren't! It's very mental, because the food tastes the same, but the texture is different!

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

I was and still am very tired most of the time. Before surgery, my B12 level was low. I received a B12 shot while in the hospital and once since I've been home. The doctor said that, although I'm still recouperating from surgery, the B12 shots should help with my energy level since my level was low pre-op.

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

I take Pepcid twice a day and a chewable pre-natal vitamin once 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?

I haven't experienced any nausea, vomiting, sleep disturbane, dimping or hair loss yet (except for the vomiting the day after my surgery which lasted only that day).

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

The waiting was the worst part! My consultation was at the beginning of May, insurance approval came in June and my surgery wasn't until August. As far as pain and complications, I really have no complaints. Pain right after my surgery was a bit tough, but tolerable.

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

Unfortunately, there are no support groups in my area. I'm hoping that one can be formed, because I think they would be very helpful by listening to others.

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

My scar is about six inches long, right down the center of my belly. It is exactly what I expected because I was well informed by the doctor.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None yet. I'm only 4 weeks post-op.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, people don't treat me differently now, except to ask how I'm feeling.