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

I was approached by someone I hadnt seen in over a year, Lori. The last time I saw her, she looked good and I had no idea that she even struggled with weight issues. I should have realized by the sheer fact that she encouraged a friendship among our kids a few years ago. You see, I am friends with very few of my sons friends parents. No one who is so attractive and of normal weight has ever tried to encourage a friendship with me. My initial impressions were that it was out of my reach so to speak. I thought it was an elective surgery that Hollywood types with lots of money have done. The next time I saw Lori, she had gained a tremendous amount of weight and I couldnt believe it was her. I barely recognized her. I found out later that Lori always struggled with her weight, but she wouldnt leave her house when she was fat only thin. She had just regained all of the weight she lost while on Nutri-System about 100 pounds. I was sitting behind her by chance at a school function in May 2002 in tiny folding chairs. She mentioned how uncomfortable I looked and to check out what she is doing in the near future-gastric bypass. Oddly, I was not offended by her suggesting this to us. I never considered surgery before because I thought that insurance didnt cover the cost and it seemed so drastic and it seemed so Hollywood. I never believed in taking drugs to lose weight, I certainly wasnt going to have surgery. Yes, she explained, since insurance companies are realizing that the costs of the surgery are less than the costs of diseases associated with obesity, many companies are covering it. It was a hard decision, because I had still a lot of societal beliefs about weight loss. I just need to exercise and diet. I am lazy and not trying hard enough. It just takes willpower. This is the easy way out. I am giving up. The more and more I read about it, the less I feel this way and the more I feel this is my only hope at a normal, healthy life.

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

No problems. I had to describe my weight loss attempts and show that I'd been under a doctor's care. I was concerned that my primary would give me a hard time. He was very supportive and I am his first patient going through this.

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

I met with his bypass program director who asked the profile questions, then I met with the surgeon who asked if I had any other questions. He was very nice. To get the most out of the meeting, have prepared a list of diets, programs you've tried. Also have a list handy of the ways weight affects your life - financially (clothes are more money, wear out faster, larger food requirements), socially (what social life?), medically (diseases or like me - haven't been to the dentist in 4 years because I don't fit in the chair), psychologically (depression) and other ways.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Reading about how the NIH realizes that this is the only way for long term weight loss. Understanding that it's genetics.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I had the lap-RNY based on recommendations from books and those who go for revisions to their procedures seem to end up having the RNY ultimately.

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've had 7 surgeries, so I don't fear surgery itself or the pain and luckily I don't have problems that will complicate the surgery except the extra weight itself.

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 has so far been very open minded and supportive. My husband is telling his clients that he will be taking time off to help me for this surgery and they've been offering all sorts of help. I'm shocked! Mom was worried, but she's been researching and attending support groups and is now considering it for herself! Dad asked me why I didn't try diet and exercise (because the first 150 times haven't worked, Dad). My friends have been great. Many people have surprised me. My aunt lost 90 pounds through diet and exercise. So when I went to tell her about my surgery, I thought she would criticize the idea. But she was very supportive. Her philosophy is that she feels so great after losing her weight that everyone should lose their excess weight doing whatever they need to do.

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

I told my supervisor first that I was having abdominal surgery. Once she told her boss (who is a baffoon, but he is required to know about medical leaves), then I told her exactly what I was doing (I told her after she told her boss so she wouldn't accidentally slip and tell the baffoon). I was concerned that her size 6 self wouldn't be open minded but she was. Then I told my department coworkers and they have been great. I didn't want them worried seeing me lose weight so quickly and losing hair that I was very sick. The rest of the department will just know that I am having surgery until I am ready to tell them, but I think they will be supportive. I'm just not ready to open myself up to non-support right now.

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

Gastric bypass is new to this hospital so they hadn't ironed out the kinks yet. My surgeon tells us what foods we can have and can't have post-op and told us to watch what the hospital gives us. Luckily, I did watch. I was given full sugar items and straws and no-nos like this. Otherwise, OK.

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

I had a fever of 102 the week after surgery. I was readmitted to the hospital and they found that I had a bruise on my liver. I am fine and don't have to do anything - the liver will heal itself.

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 felt nervous. I read the book by Barbara Thompson 3 times. I talked with my mom, attended support groups, talked with some friends about it. In the holding area before the surgery, I cried and cried, but I did it.

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

Pain!! I had a hard time sitting up by myself. I was tired. I didn't have the depression that people sometimes experience. I hated the liquid diet but once I was on soft foods, I started to feel better.

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

10 miles - 30 minutes to the hospital. Not far.

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 have followed the doc's instructions. I have tried vegetables, but have problems with harder ones such as brocolli. I have eaten steak without problems starting at 2 1/2 months. I don't do well with hamburger, though. Go figure. I have had 3 cookies without dumping.

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

I didn't follow doctor's orders for walking, though he did encourage it. I tried to not be a couch potato though and made sure I did do things. I didn't drive until 2 weeks out.

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

I take a chewable mulitvitamin - Centrum. I also take 4 Calcium Citrate tablets (total of 1200mg) each day. Weekly, I take a 1000mc B12 sublingually. Daily, I take ferrous fumerate.

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?

Nausea - none. Vomitting if I eat too fast or too much or eat brocolli. I work on this by focusing on my meal and getting my protein first. I only had this problem 2 times. Sleep disturbance from the morphine (bad dreams). This disappeared about 3 days after I stopped taking the morphine. Also, I did pee frequently in the beginning even during the night. No hair loss so far. No problems coping since I was aware of these side effects before surgery. I figured I was just normal.

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

Pre-op, I was very anxious that I would have complications. Making sure of my decision that I was doing the right thing. I always took pride in not having used Slim Fast, drugs, or any of those other artificial weight loss products. I always chose the 'healthy way' of diet and exercise. Chosing surgery seemed to go against these beliefs.

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

A home care nurse came each day for about 1 week. I didn't find this necessary. They were taking my temperature (which I was doing anyway) and my blood pressure. They weren't familar with RNY so when I asked them questions, they couldn't answer any.

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

I have 5 scars about 1/2" each. This is what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had 2 plateaus. The first was at 6 weeks and lasted about 2 weeks. It was very frustrating and scary (I thought I had failed). On the third week though I dropped 7 pounds! I am currently in my second plateau (11 weeks post op). I do feel that my body shape is changing and this will pass.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, not yet. I have lost 54 pounds so far, but have 126 to go to goal.