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

I saw an ad on tv for the New Start program in St. Louis. I called and attended a seminar in Kansas City. I knew then that this was my only answer. It was scary to think about the whole thing and the day I actually got my surgery date, I cried all day. I was so scared but knew it was my only answer.

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

My insurance was never a problem. They called and it was approved over the phone. I am sure they sent a follow up letter but I have never had to contact them in any way.

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

My first visit was very professional. Dr. Sifers gave me a packet of information to read and I was told to call the office if I had any questions. His staff is friendly and informative. I would say to have any questions written down. He does the Biliary Pancreatic Diversion procedure which actually gives you more stomach. He will do the rny but feels this is the best way to go cause you can eat a little more. It is more based on malabsorption procedure.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I knew I had fought my weight all my life (51 yrs). I wanted to live and knew this was the only way.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr. Sifers prefers the Biliary Pancreatic diversion because it leaves more stomach. It is more of a malabsorption surgery.

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 scared to death. I am a smoker so thought I might have breating problems. I was off the ventilator before i even got out of surgery. I thought I might have a heart attact or something but everything went great. I did very very well.

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 had a little trouble convincing my youngest daughter. She weighs 100 lbs soaking wet and has even had some anorexia problems and sees obseity as a self control problem. However, she came around and became very supportive. The rest of my family and friends were curous but backed me 100%. Since the surgery everyone is very supportive and each lb I lose is a big deal to everyone.

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

I have been unemployed for almost a year, so I didnt have to deal with that. However, when I first started researching the surgery, the staff where I worked were pretty supportive. I am an RN so most of my co-workers were aware of the surgery and were very curious about the whole thing.

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 4 days. As with all hospitals they were short staffed most of the time but the care was ok. Other than being bored there wasnt much to complain about. Bring things you enjoy, like books or something like that. You are very tired so you sleep alot but I still became bored.

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

I had a small BB area open up in my incinsional area with some drainage but no infection. My kidneys did not function for a couple of days but that was corrected. Other than nausea and gagging all the time, I think I did real well. For the nausea, I keep sugar free mints around. That seems to help the most.

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 was truly scared. I had three weeks notice and tried to keep busy but it was on my mind every day. I talked to family and friends. I sought reassurance from everyone. I cried a lot but I am generally an emotional person anyway so I dont put much stock in that.

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

I stayed with my folks the first week. I was nauseated most of the time and everything I ate gave me heartburn. I couldnt drink the protein shakes cause they really made me sick and still do. I would expect at least a month of not feeling real good and you need a good support system. You will need help.

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

The hospital if only 10 miles from my house and the dr is only 10 minutes. That was not a problem.

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.

The first 3 or 4 weeks, I ate very little. I once put a tic tac in my mouth and began vomiting immediately. Anything with sugar in it will make you nauseated. I spent most of the time nauseated for the first month. Now, I can eat much more and a variety of things. Sugar is still out but I did eat some white bread without getting sick. It has 2 grams of sugar so it is generally off limits. Protein is the big thing. You have to eat lots and lots of protein. If you can drink the protein shakes, you are much better off. As time goes on, I am able to eat better and more.

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

Ofcourse you are very tired and weak in the first couple of weeks, but now I am walking more and enjoying it. I can walk so much farther without being winded or tired. I can stand without my back feeling like it will collapse. It is a great feeling to have some energy. I love it.

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

Dr. Sifers gives a packet of info out before surgery telling all the vitamins and supplements to take daily. This is for the first year. I also take b12 shots monthly. There is the Ultra Mega vitamin, calcium, Iron, B-complex and protein drinks.

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?

The nausea and vomiting were the worse. I would rather have my heart cut out than be nauseated. This lasted daily for the first 4 weeks but has greatly improved.

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

The waiting was the worst part. There was only minimal pain. I think the first 4 weeks were tough.

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

Dr. Sifers has a support group that meets every so often but I have not attended.

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

My scar starts at my breastbone and goes to about 2 inches below my belly button. I dont care much about it. It is real pronounced but I am not a bikini person anyway.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have really slowed down my weight loss in the last couple of weeks, but I have really been eating much more. I may be eating more than I should. I have been hungrier also but things have been stressful for me as my youngest daughter almost lost her baby to premature labor so I stayed at her place with her 6 yr old son while she was in the hospital plus stayed with her a week after she came home. I came home to find that my roomate had had a stroke so things have been stressfull.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, I havent lost enough weight to be treated like a real person yet by strangers but friends and family carry on about how much thinner I am.