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

I first read about bariatric surgery on the internet, and thought those people were crazy. But as I researched it, and saw the before/after pictures I was compelled.

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

I looked in my member handbook and then looked on this site to see what others with this insurance had to do. It was fairly simple and quick. The hardest part was the waiting.

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

My first meeting was informative. I felt confident with my surgeon because he was so confident in himself. I also brought about five pages of questions with me and he answered them all.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My felt so unhealthy and guilty because I couldn't do things with my family and I practically lived my entire life in my house. I didn't want to go anywhere or do anything. I was ashamed of myself.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I want the RNY because of the success rate and I wanted it done OPEN. I didn't want there to be any room for mistakes. I felt comfortable knowing that the surgeon could see everything at once. I had it done Proximal also which makes me feel better because I am not malabsorbing too much.

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 worried that I would be the one to die or have severe complications and my family would have to live and deal with this decision that I made. Thank god I got through it with little complications. I believe that GOD was on my side. He guided me and everything went smoothly.

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?

The people that I did tell were worried for me. They had heard horror stories and really didn't want me to have it done. My husband went from being supportive when I first mentioned it to totally being against it right before the surgery, to being the most wonderful, caring man in the world right after. He took great care of me. Alot of people found out after the surgery was done and they totally bashed me for having it done. But I am a consenting adult and this was done for my health, so they eventually accepted it.

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

The hospital stay could have been alot better. The ICU was great, but after I was put on the recovery floor, I was just about neglected. The nurses are overworked and forgetfull.

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

I developed an Incisional leak which became infected. All along I was told by my surgeon that this was normal and it wasn't infected, just keep it clean. I went to my primary doctor and he did a culture and told me it was infected and put me on two kinds of anitbiotics. After that it cleared right up and healed. My advice is you know your body. If you think something is wrong, get a second opinion.

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 prayed alot. I was on an emotional rollercoaster. I just prayed for patience and that everything would turn out ok and it did. It was really bad the last few hours before surgery. But I got through.

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

I was in Pain. I was so exhausted. I didn't realize just how painful this surgery was going to be. I couldn't stomach my pain meds for the first few days, so that was horrible. Then I forced them down and it got better. Don't expect to be able to do much after surgery. I thought that I would be able to take care of my kids and some light chores, WRONG! I couldn't move except for going to the bathroom and my little walks around the house and even that was hard to do.

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

My hospital was only about 20 minutes away. Just make sure you have a dose of pain meds before you leave the hospital and make sure you have your prescription filled in the hospital before you check out. I didn't have either done and I was in severe pain and couldn't find a pharmacy that had liquid percoset in stock. My husband drove me around for three hours and we ended up in my hospitals emergency room to see the doctor on call for a prescription of regular percoset. What a nightmare that was!

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 am only eight weeks post op. I cannot tolerate mayonaise,fish, carnation instant breakfast (sugar free) beef (except ground). I can only eat a tiny bit at a time. I can tolerate some foods one minute and the next time I try it I get sick. It sure is a learning experience.

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

I was extremely tired all of the time. I did get up and walk around the house a few times a day, but that was it. At around six weeks post op, I started feeling a little better and started doing alot more. Now I am eight weeks post op and just started doing aerobics. I still get tired easily though.

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

I take two flintstone's chewables, two viactive chews, vitamin c, and will start the protien shakes soon. I also have to start iron, and B-12 soon.

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 had vomiting starting on the fifth day post op. I still get nausia and vomit at eight weeks post op. It was hard to sleep for the first few weeks because I was in pain and had very bad gas pains under my ribs. I have dumped once on sugar free carnation instant breakfast made with non fat milk. I had severe cramps, diarrehia, sweating, and dry heaving. It lasted about 45 minutes.

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

I go to my surgeons support group once a month. It is very informative and it is nice to be around people who know what you are going through. It is also nice to talk to the pre ops and answer their questions.

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

My incision is five inches long, which I think is very small. It did open and become infected when I was one week post op, but it cleared up with antiboitics and now at eight weeks it looks good. Just a little raised and red, but that is normal. I am pleased with the scar and am proud of it!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had my first plateau at three weeks post op and it lasted until I was six weeks. I was so worried that I was done losing weight. I lost 26 pounds the first three weeks and then nothing. Now at eight weeks I have lost a total of 39 pounds.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, some just say that I look nice. I can't tell that I have lost much. Maybe in a few more months the weight loss will be more noticable.