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

My sister and I were at our wits end, we are both in the medical field. I had started hearing about the gastric bypass through the grape vine (I should say I started listening to people who were talking about it). I suggested we do research on the computer. We initially started with the Wish Foundation in Phoenix, AZ and went to their initial seminar. I started to back off (chickened out), my sister continued to persue it and found out that Tucson was starting a program. My first response was...GREAT!!! Let's do it, then I started hearing about the risks and backed off for a while until I realized that I was putting myself at a greater risk not having it. It's a scary process. I did alot of praying and had alot of family support to help with my decision.

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

My first piece of advice is PATIENCE PATIENCE PATIENCE...Now, I am not a patient person, so this was hard for me. Thankfully, I can't complain too much about the process. My only hold-up was that initially my paper was put on the wrong persons desk at the insurance company (this was the beginning of November), and it wasn't until the end of November that it was sent to right person, so by then, the process slowed down, probably due to people going on vacation for the holidays. I got my approval the middle of January. I was lucky enough to not have to appeal anything.

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

It was scary...By the time I had my first appointment, my sister had already had it done, so I sort of knew what to expect. She was having several complications at the time, so I was that much more nervous. It is always hard and almost de-maralizing to talk to someone else about your severe weight problem, you have to make eye contact with these people, and for me that was nearly impossible, plus you have to admit that you need help, that's never fun. My surgeon was great (Dr Burpee, Tucson, AZ). He talked to me like a human being. He has a great bed-side manner and a great sense of humor. He is very knowledgeable about the surgery, I had complete trust in him. When someone goes in for their first office visit, I would suggest making a list of all of your questions and concerns, don't be afraid to ask anything, I'm sure they've heard it all.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I went to my primary care physician and he put me on one other weight-loss medication for a month. When I had my follow-up on him, I still had high blood pressure and had gained five pounds. I was 29 years old at the time and I knew that nothing else was going to help, and if I didn't do something, my high blood pressure would progressively get worse, and diabetes was just around the corner. I wanted a chance to live.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I had read about the some of the others, and the rou-en-y (sp?) seemed like to most successful. I believe this was the only type of weight loss surgical procedure my surgeon did at the time.

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 had many fears about complications and dying. I did alot of praying...ALOT. You have to be optimistic about doing well and being healthy, but you also need to be prepared for the complications. I went in feeling like everything would be ok, but if it didn't, that was the risk I took, and I accepted that. This was the decision I made for the right reasons, and if anything happened, I would deal with them.

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?

They were very supportive. All of them were nervous, but they knew that I wanted to have this done and they knew the benefit would outweigh the risk. I was very open about my decision and I had very positive feedback from all of my family and friends, so, no I would not change how I communicated with any of them. They were and still are very supportive since my surgery.

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

I didn't say anything to my supervisor or my co-workers until my final approval came in. So when I went to tell my supervisor of the days I needed off, I told her why and she, as well as my co-workers were all very supportive and positive. I request 4 weeks just in case of complications, and I was back at work in about 2 1/2- 3 weeks.

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

It was nice all things considered. I was in the hospital for 3 days including the day of surgery. I had a private room, thank goodness. People basically fawn over you to make sure you're ok. The hospital staff typically boot you out of bed several hours after the surgery when people are still drugged up. It sounds awful, but it is benefical to decrease the chances of blood clots. Bring soap, a brush, toothbrush, a change of underwear...

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

I didn't have any complications right after the surgery. Several months later, I had gallbladder stones (very common after weight loss surgery).

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

EXCITED mostly, but also very scared. I prayed alot, and I voiced my concerns to my friends and family and talked it out.

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

It was life changing. Everything was different. You go home from the hospital and almost immediately you're different. Your eating habits have been forced to changed, when I got home, that is when that sank in and I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to do it, but you do. I had a fair amount of abdominal pain, not horrible. I was extremely sensitive to odors, some were great, others down right repulsive. I had no appetite at all. I was only allowed to have clear liquids for the first two weeks (broth and jell-o), and I hate them to this day. But it's only temporary. I think people need to expect to be scared because of the changes, and they need to know that they will need all the support they can get.

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

Only about 15 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.

The first two weeks was clear liquid only, broth, jell-o, and water, the third week, I was able to have an egg for one of my meals (this lasted one week), so by my third week, it was soft proteins (refried beans, cottage cheese, eggs...). By the 5th week I could eat chicken and pork. I was restricted from red meat and nuts until six months out. I am not on any restrictions any more. The only foods that I don't tollerate well are cream based foods and fried foods.

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

It was difficult. I would take a few steps and be out of breath and exhaused, but it slowly improves. It is imperative that people try to do a little more each day to build up their stamina again.

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

I take a Centrum, potassium, Biotin, and Zoloft, Phenergan when needed for nausea.

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?

Probably the nausea, I didn't have any vomitting until about 5 weeks out of surgery. I think the persistent nausea lasted for about 2 weeks.

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

I would have to say changing my eating habits.

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

Tucson has a very large/active support group that meet at the hospital. There are post-op's and pre-op's and support people that attend. At first this was very helpful. When I was contemplating the surgery, it helped so I could see the post-ops and talk to them. Just after the surgery, they were helpful when I needed questions answered about some of the "funky" things that happen to your body after the surgery. As I get further out, I find that I'm not needing them as much and the support group itself is not as helpful of beneficial as it was, but I also know that if I have ANY problems or questions they are just a phone call away and alway ready and willing to help. That in itself is support.

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

I had it done lap, so I had 5 tiny incisions. What are they like now? closer together :). They are very light and small. I was expecting to have larger incisions and scars than I have.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I'm only 8 months out, so my weight loss has slowed down, but I am also very, very close to my goal weight. So, needless to say, I have not yet experienced that.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Absolutely. People tend to be nicer. Men beat me to doors to open them for me. People are friendlier. I don't get the "look of disgust" anymore. But the more I think about it, I'm a different person too, I walk with my head up, I make eye contact, I am more out-going with strangers. I know that I do get treated differently, but I also know that I handle myself differently too.