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

In nursing school. This was back in the early 90's. The teacher wasn't real supportive of the surgery and basically called it self mutilation. Then working in an acute hospital, I got to see folks that had problems with the surgery. Not many (I worked Cardio and Ortho) but enough that I never really thought I would want to do this. Now with me being older, my husband having the health problems it has come to a point where we need this surgery.

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

Not sure - our first attempt in getting this surgery done was with an HMO (Kaiser) enough said about them - Now with Blue Shield, I think we are going to do ok. Most of the work is being done by the surgeons office. My advise right now is, find a good surgeon that has done this procedure frequently. Their office should know what is needed and help you thru it.

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

Actually I think it went pretty well. She was straight forward and informative. She took the time to talk to us (my husband and I). How to get the most out of the meeting is to do some research. Know what you are asking the Dr to do. Write down the questions you have so that when you are in that face to face appt, you can ask them. Maybe have a support person there so that when the answers are given they can help you remember the answers and maybe see/think of questions you didn't think to ask.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Me personally - my husbands health. He has been talking about it longer than I have. I had some reservations because of my time as a nurse in an acute hosp. I only saw the bad side, not the good side. Now with more research and the progress that has been made, I see a better good side than bad side.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The one that would work best in our health situation. The RNY bypass. It will be a permanent tool.

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 still have some fears about complications. I know it is a possibility. However I know without this surgery that my life and health WILL get worse. With the surgery I have a greater chance of a better life and health. I have a chance to grow old with my healthy husband.

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?

The couple friends I have told are happy for me. My family will pray for me - LOL (post op addition - my family now seeing just how better I feel, not only health wise but emotionally are REALLY happy that I had this surgery! And so am I!!)

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

They don't know yet - no surgery date yet - so nothing to tell them. (post op addition - Employer was fine with it - "just bring us a note when you can go back to work"... I was out 3 weeks - I do some lifting with my job)

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

It was OK - I was there surgery day, next day to start fluids, went home on the third day. Had to pass gas and pee before I could go. The most important thing I had near me was my husband - LOL - other than that the hospital had just about everything I needed, even earplugs :)

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

The second day I was getting a really bad headache. I didn't realize you can get a headache from the pain meds I was using, so I used more pain med, which made my headache worse... they gave me some benadryl... I slept like a baby and woke up the next day with no headache!

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 pretty good... I had read and researched enough to know generally what my course on this journey would be. No real anxiety, but I did morn the AMOUNT of food I use to be able to eat... and still do miss it occasionally now even at 6 months out. But I like being healthy better!!

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

I was tired. I would feel better with more energy than I had ever had, then I would just hit a wall... I had to remember that I had just had a major surgery and it would take time to heal. Now at 6 months out, its hard to keep me still - LOL!

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

The hospital was only about 30 minutes away.

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 started changing my way of eating BEFORE surgery... I think that REALLY helped after surgery. Also I read and researched real food recipes that I would be able to fix, so I wouldn't be on a 'diet'. I'm still not on a 'diet' I changed my eating habits :) I'm now at 6 months out and dry meats are hard for me. Hard boiled eggs are a no go, but poached or soft scrambled are ok. Meat is ok if fresh cooked, but to reheat it works best to steam it so that it stays moist. I still am only able to tolarate about 1/2-1 cup of food, depending on what it is. So I make sure I put only good quality stuff in, now that I don't have quantity - LOL!

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

It improved almost daily!

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

Once I was place on a puree diet I started chewable Bariatric Advantage Multi Vits, and Calcium chews. At 3 months out I started iron and vit C (All are chewable) I do them DAILY and will for the rest of my life!! If that is what it takes to stay healthy I WILL do it!

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 had a pretty uneventful post op... the worst part is when I forget and eat too fast or not chew enough or try to get in that last bite - but tiny tummy is a great teacher - LOL!

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

The slow progression of foods. I knew why, but liquids get old really fast - LOL!

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

I have a couple forums I am on. Continued contact and accountability with them I think has helped me tremendously! I think it is extremely important to have the info and support of others that have SUCCESSFULLY gone through this and MAINTAINED.

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

5 small little spots. At 6 months out they are still a little purple, but that is how my skin is. In another 6 months, they will be white little spots.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

My weight loss has been stair stepped. My first platue happened about the 3rd week after surgery, and lasted for about a week. I will loose for a couple days, then gain and hold for about a week, then drop a couple more pound... I just hold to my eating plan and trust in the process and the tool my surgeon gave me.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes... either I notice it more because I'm smiling more or they are smiling at me more. I have more confidence and I think it shows.