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

Three doctors suggested it within a three month period. One is a nationally-known internist who specializes in bariatric medicine. I was really shocked at first because my paradigm related to very, very old information about long ago abandoned procedures. As I learned about the new choices and recognized that I am being overcome by my comorbidities, surgery became my only choice. I have researched my options and the BPD/DS is the clear choice for a person with my bmi. Drs. Rabkin/Jossart are my choice because of the fact that they do it laparoscopically.

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

Provide your carrier with as much information as possible. Studies from Hess, Rabkin, Baltasar, Marceau, etc. are invaluable.

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

The first part was an orientation about the surgery, post op care and nutrition. Next, Dr. Keshishian gave me a physical and went over my history. He asked me some questions that were designed to find out if I was informed about my options and then gave me a chance to ask questions of my own. He is very thorough and conscientious.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The desire to enjoy a good quality of life again.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted to eat as normally as possible and not have the complications (marketed as "features") of the RNY.

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 recognized the possibility of having the various complications, including death. Different doctors told me that the most serious complications are experienced by patients on oxygen and who are basically immobile. The result of not having surgery would be far worse than any complications (except maybe death). I didn't expect to die, and, I didn't.

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?

Everyone knew that I was well informed on my options. My daughter and one friend were the only ones who were really frightened. My family and friends were supportive.

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

I am retired so I didn't have to deal with this.

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

I was in the hospital from Wed. a.m. through Sat. p.m. I didn't bring anything special nor did I need it. The hospital (Delano Regional Medical Center) was great as was patient care.

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

I had what had to have been the mildest case of pneumonia and atelectesis on record. I did have wound dehisence for which I was not fully prepared. I had to pack the wound at first and later went to dry dressing. It healed up well and with relatively quick speed.

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

No anxiety - but - I had a low energy level. I just kind of "hung out" until my energy returned -

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

At first I sat in a recliner most of the time. I got up and walked around the house every hour or so. I used my spirometer for the first month. Eating was a challenge as far as consuming adequate protein was concerned. It was a bit of a hassle drinking all of the water, but it was doable. After week 4 I began to eat more things (still in very small quantities). Nothing new seems to have bothered me. At week 7 I am able to eat anything that I can think of.

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

4-1/2 hour drive-Aftercare was by phone except for scheduled appointments for normal followup.

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.

Most protein drinks were like drinking wet concrete. Zero Carb Isopure Clear came to the rescue. White bread, milk, beans, cabbage, broccoli, etc. were problems for quite a while. Now I only have problems with beans - Beano takes care of that. Lactose intolerance has disappeared. Eating lots of yogurt takes care of a world of problems! Eat it frequently.

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

At first I was able to walk quite a bit. When the pain killers wore off, my arthritic joints limited my activity quite a bit. I hope that with additional weight loss the pain will subside.

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

1 Centrum and 2000 mg. of Calcium Citrate per 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?

No side effects -

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

Worrying about it beforehand. The reality was basically no big deal. Post op pain was only a problem the first night when I first got out of bed to walk. Once that was over, the pain was easily dealt with. I also was concerned about the incision healing. In spite of wound dehisence, it healed quickly and without any pain whatsoever. Now the difficulties of recovery aren't even a vague memory and living my life is the reward.

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

Mostly I use the egroups on the Internet. I will go to some meetings but they are all at least 2-1/2 hours away so I won't make them all. I enjoy the support - and supporting others.

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

It is 8" long (from open surgery). It is pretty straight and clean. It is what I expected. The cosmetics are as good as can be expected and I wouldn't care if they weren't. I'd feel differently if I were a teenage girl. It gives me that "Rambo" feeling. Now, eight years out, the scar has faded. It is visible, but only barely.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None to date.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really - except that people seem happy to see that I survived and am losing weight. I don't obsess about how I think others may see me as I once did.