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

I first heard of the sugery approximately 10 years ago. For many years I have been scared of what it would be like. Pain, eating issues, what others would think, etc. "If I only knew then what I know now" the saying goes, I would have had the surgery 10 years ago.

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

No waiting at all

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

I had met the surgeon at a support group meeting held at the hospital. Right away I like his mannerism and gentle voice. He is very soothing and calming to be around. He took the time to personally answer some questions at the meeting so I decided then he was to be my doctor.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The joint pain I have each day is to much for me to handle anymore. Either the weight comes off or I fear I won't allow myself to suffer much longer.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted a procedure that would not allow me to make decisions on what to eat or how much. I cannot control that part of my life so the surgery had to take care of that for me. Hence the procedure I picked limits the type and quantity of food I eat.

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?

None

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 didn't tell many people prior to surgery. After a little proding, my husband was supportive and now plans to have the same procedure done

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

N/A

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

My hospital stay was great. I had surgery Wednesday and came home Friday AM. I was driving that afternoon and felt great. Things to take to the hospital. Robe & slippers (ones you can just slip on), chapstick, fan, pillow, and a radio. I took magazines and a book but never had time to look at either. I kept the radio on to block out noise in the hallways which allowed me to sleep better.

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

None at all. About a year out I had a few bouts of a sludge problem at the Y limb which were treated with antibiotics. Also, I have passed 2 gallstones in the past 8 months and have developed a small hernia low in my abdomen which I gave myself when I lifted a 85 pound child to spin her around! Other than that, things have been great. I haven't even had so much as a cold in 2 yrs!

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

For the most part I felt good. I did get rather tired quickly for the first month or so and would need to nap immediately. I mean immediately!!!! A couple of months after surgery I experienced extreme exhausting, I was literally freezing to death and was having a lot of trouble remembering things, constipation and extreme hair loss. A trip to the doc's revealed I had a thyroid problem which had always been boarderline prior to surgery. Once the meds kicked in I felt much better. A couple of times I stood in my kitchen and cried when I couldn't eat something I used to prior to surgery. A good cry and then eating something good for me usually cured the moment. Even today I find myself frustrated with the inability to eat food, most often when I go out to eat. For the longest time I only ordered off the appetizer menu but found I was getting board with the limited choices. Now I order what I want and just ask for a box when my meal is delivered. I put all but what I think I can eat ( 1-1.2 c food)in the box and enjoy what's on my plate. I usually have enough left overs for at least 2 more meals, sometimes 3. Frustration with eating out is that everything tastes so good that I want to eat more thank is on my plate. But having leftovers means I still can taste the great food for my next meal.

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

Because I had Lap I think I had things rather easy. I was back to normal activities within a week or so except for the lifting restriction. I vacuumed, one room then a break, shopped and did whatever my energy level would allow.

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

60 miles.

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 felt I was lucky from the beginning. I advanced through the stages with ease, usually moving to the next stage a 1-2 weeks earlier simply because I was board with eating the same limited foods. At times a food wouldn't set well so I would take it off my diet for a week or so and then try it again in a really small quanity. As for off limit foods, I haven't found many. I haven't eaten high fat foods because I dumped on cashews one day. I can eat small amounts of sugar (no more than 15-18 gms) which I tolerate better after eating protein. It's nice to have a couple of bites of dessert once in awhile.

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

As I stated previously, other than the thyroid difficulty, my energy level increased daily as the weight came off. I thought I would have to wait for the weight loss to stabilize before I would be able to do more thinking that such a rapid weight loss would make me feel exhausted. But that wasn't true so I just went ahead and did what I felt up to doing

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

Multi-vitamins, calcium and B-12

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?

None of the side effects were very persistant. I dumped only once, and had very little nausia and no vomiting. I slept very well and resolved not to worry about the hair loss. It grows back!

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

I don't think there has been a bad part. Little bumps in the road but for the most part things have been great!

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

Monthy support groups at the hospital were very helpful for the first year. It was helpful to hear that others were going or had experienced many of the same challenges I was facing. They were able to offer helpful hits and sometimes just knowing someone else cared was enough to get through the situation I was having some trouble with. I haven't been to a meeting now for a year. I know I should take the time to check in and get some added support. At times I eat incorrectly but so far have been able to get myself back on tract. Getting on the scale and finding out I gained 5 pounds scares me back into eating properly.

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

Can't find them!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Plateaus were many. One lasted 2 months and I was in tears thinking I wasn't going to lose any more. Once I knew they were very common, I relaxed about them and quit getting on the scale so often. The best gage of weight loss is your clothes getting loose so there was no need to torture myself by hopping on the scale.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I'm not entirely sure that people are treating me differenly. I think because my self-confidence has soared so much that I'm much more sociable and willing to say "hello's" or to even look people in the eye as I'm speaking with someone, walking in a store, on the street or wherever. I would avoid people and especially eye contact with thinner people as I didn't want to see the disgust I thought they had when they looked a fat person. I still don't believe I'm thinner as I don't see it in the mirror. My clothes tell a different story though. One thing I would agree about people treating me differently is in the employment field. I have gotten so many job offers from interviews I've gone on that I have had my pick of jobs to choose from. Prior to surgery I was never offered a job. I'm certain discrimination takes place in the workplace.