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

My ex-mother-in-law had it done about 4 years ago and it was so impressive that she lost all the excess weight and her appetite was so much smaller afterward. I have thought the surgery was a great thing. I worried about the aftermath because of the surgeries back in the 80's and before that didn't turn out good. We have all heard the stories about the people whose stomachs were too small or they got infected and died. Now that it is such a common procedure I feel much more secure about its safety. I am a bit apprehensive about having surgery of any kind, but if it will give me my life back, it is worth the risk.

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

I was lucky. My approval went very easily. Everything after the approval is just a waiting game. I saw a doctor who decided that my insurance company didn't pay enough and he needed a cash fee up front for his services. After thinking back to my appointment with him, I saw that he was just after the money. He had a "cattle call" first consultation, it was just bad. My insurance company went above and beyond getting me a new surgeon and a new referral. I really did not have to do anything. If your insurance co does not work for you, you may have to make several phone calls to them to get a fire lit but once they are working on it, it seems to go pretty good. I know I was lucky though.

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

My first visit with my new surgeon was uneventful. I was so prepared that just about everything that he told me I already knew! He seems like a very nice man, he discussed the risks as well as the benefits of the surgery with me and he answered all my questions. I think you really should read alot about the surgery and types of surgeries so you will not walk into an appointment completely in the dark. I made lots of notes and everytime I thought of a new question, I would add it to my list.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I decided to have the surgery after several months of nutritional counseling. I saw that this very limited very strict way of life was never going to change for me and that I would have to count every single calorie that I ever ate for the rest of my life! I was also not very successful on the diets. When you are as heavy as I am, losing 3 pounds in 8 months is no big deal. It doesn't help the foot, knee, ankle and back pain. It doesn't help the sleep apnea or any of the numerous other problems caused by obesity. I felt guilty at first, like I gave up too soon on dieting but then I thought back to all the years that I have been morbidly obese and all the diets that I have been on and failed at. I know I made the right choice.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I believe that my surgeon only does one kind of surgery. From my research, I believe that the open RNY was the best choice for me.

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 really did not have any fears of dying until the week before surgery and a freind of mine called me and told me that a mutual freind of ours had died the previous night from the surgery. I got kinda scared. I didn't tell my husband because I knew it would make him worry and that made it worse for me, holding it in and keeping it to myself. I had several sleepless nights and then another freind of mine, whose surgery was scheduled 2 weeks after mine, talked to me and I felt better. I knew that if God wanted me, it would be my time whether I had surgery or not. That calmed me down. I would tell other people the same thing. If it is your time, you will go whether you are in the OR or in a car accident or whatever. Just have faith in God.

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?

All my freinds were supportive. My family was supportive after they found out that I was approved. Of course they were scared for me but knew the struggles I had had over the years with my weight. My Mom actually flew from Texas to Florida to be with me before and after the surgery. And to help with our son while I was in the hospital. Knowing that she was there to help my husband eased my mind and made it easier for me to relax and recover.

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

My boss was ok with my decision. I actually had to resign from my job anyway because we were moving to another state. He was sorry to see me go earlier than planned because I had the surgery before we moved.

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

I stayed in the hospital for one week. Intensive care was wonderful. The nurses were attentive and always right there for me when I needed them. But when I was moved to a regular room after 24 hours in ICU, it was like being thrown to the wolves. There were 3 nurses that actually seemed to care about their jobs and the patients. I was miserable, uncomfortable and depressed the entire time I was in the hosptial with the exception of ICU and when these 3 nurses had shifts. The most important thing I brought was my slippers and carmex for my lips. Being NPO for so long, my mouth was very dry and when I was finally able to have liquids, no one would ever bring me any water ever.

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

I was very lucky to have had no complications. As a matter of fact my surgery went so well that it took only about an hour and I was out of ICU in 24 hours.

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

The time went by really fast after I got my date. I only had to wait 1 month and that's it. I really just didn't think about having the surgery. We were going to be moving soon and I had lots to do to keep me busy and keep my mind off the surgery.

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

I pretty much stayed on the couch propped up on pillows with my nightgown on. I did try to get dressed in loose shorts and tshirts and get out of the house a couple of times a week but the outings were very short and I always napped afterward. I really expected that I would be up and about with no problems but I was so tired that it didn't happen that way. I felt pretty bad. I was bored and restless. People should be prepared to REST!

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

I had to travel from Key West to St. Petersburg, FL. It is 7 hours by car. About 3 weeks after surgery we moved to Virginia so I have to contact new groups and try to get connected with a new doctor here. I have now found a support group and a nutritionist. What a relief. My nutritionist also got me an appointment with a psycologist for counseling for my problems with food. It has helped alot.

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.

My Doctor is the kind that believes in just starting to eat normal food immediately after release from the hospital. I just ate boiled chicken, eggs, cottage cheese and yogurt. While traveling I had some fast food (chicken nuggets) and they did not sit well. Anything greasy upsets my stomach. That is still pretty much what I am eating at 6 weeks postop. I am now 5 months postop and I still have a pretty boring diet. I can eat more food but I try to stick with the lower fat, lower calorie food like cottage cheese and tuna. I eat alot of light cheese and beef jerky. I do drink fat free milk occasionally and I put ovaltine in it for a sweet treat. I still have to stay away from greasy food and from starchy foods like macaroni, rice, and french fries. I can eat a cookie now and then, but only 1.

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

My activity level has been in the pits since the surgery. But at 6 weeks postop, I feel myself coming around. I plan on starting an exercise regiment next week. At 5 months postop, I can walk 3 miles in addition to doing crunches, push ups and leg exercises. I can feel my ab muscles getting strong!

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

I take 2 children's chewable vitamins daily and that is it so far. I have been drinking Carnation instant breakfast for the protein. At 5 months I take 2 chewable vitamins and 4 tums per day on the advise of my nutritionist. I have now started taking the Viactiv chewable calcium supplement. They taste like a sweet treat which helps my sweet tooth!

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 had some vomiting but mostly because of not chewing my food good. It is unpleasant, but it is my fault. I am lucky so far without having any of the other side effects. I did start losing my hair at 3 months and is has continued up to now at my 5 months. Quite a bit falls out and my hair is quite a bit thinner than it was to begin with. I haven't had much problems with vomiting except if I eat macaroni or eat too much too fast.

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

The worst part for me has been the mind set. It has been so hard for me to still crave the food and not really be able to eat it. I know it will pass but it is so hard. I have also had a hard time getting in enough water and have been thirsty.

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

I don't have any aftercare right now. We are moving to a new state and I will locate a new doctor and a support group when we arrive. I think it is important to have the support of people that have been through something similiar to me. Now that we are here in VA, I can't find a doctor that will see me because I had my surgery done elsewhere. I feel very desperate and I am worried about my health. Now at 5 months postop I have seen a psycologist and been to a support group meeting. I feel so much better mentally and physically.

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

So far it is pretty ugly. it is a little worse than I thought it would be. It is a little crooked but overall it is ok. At 6 months postop, it is still big, I think it just healed bad. My surgeon didn't use the steri-strips and I think that has a lot to do with the fact that is got wider when healing.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had a real bad plateau in January. I was stuck for the entire month but after diligent exercising, it finally broke! I lost 7 pounds in 7 days afterward.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I don't know that anyone has treated me differently. I live in a new town and don't know many people. I know I feel differently about myself and may project a different attitude.