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

My husband read an article in our local newspaper about a nurse at the hospital who had had bariatric surgery and that it had been a success for her. The article went on to explain the procedure and tell about the surgeon. It gave a phone number to call if you wanted more information. I got to thinking that I should call and see if I would be a candidate for the surgery. I called and it changed my life forever.

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

The insurance company I had was Blue Cross Blue Shield/ HMO. My Doctor tried to get approval and I was denied. But we didn't quit. I went back to my primary care physician and asked him to write a letter to my insurance company. I wanted the letter to explain that I had been obese most of my life and because of my obesity I had diabetes and high blood pressure. He also told them that I had tried several different diets and had been unsuccessful in losing the weight. This letter along with my file from my regular doctor was sent to my insurance company and this time they apporved it. All I can tell you is don't give up. Have your doctor write a letter. Write a letter yourself. Keep resubmitting for approval.

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

I had written down several questions that I had just so I wouldn't forget them. But I didn't even have to ask them because my surgeon answered them all first. He was very kind, not like other doctors when dealing with someone obese. I felt very comfortable with him. He was very concerned about me as a person. Don't be afraid to ask anything. No question is too dumb to ask ecspecially when this will affect the rest of your life.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I not only went to my consultation with the surgeon but also to the support group meetings. I was able to meet people who had already had the surgery and talk to them about their experiences. Talking to the other people who had already gone through it helped me decide to go ahead with it.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon asked me about my medical history and if I had any ulcers or a hyatal hernia, etc. and he suggested the type of surgery he thought was best. I am very pleased. I had the gastric bypass, or Fobi pouch. I have not had any complications and am very happy with it.

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 afraid of dying. I had had surgery on my leg a few months before and had an allergic reaction to the anesthisia. But they assured me they would use a different anesthesia for this surgery. Every thing went real well and I did not have a reaction this time. I was afraid of not being able to lead a normal life again, as far as not being able to eat or go out to dinner or cook for my husband and friends. But that is totally wrong. I eat whatever I want whenever I want I just can't eat a whole lot. We go out to dinner quite often. We have friends over for dinner. I cook just as often as I always have. I am very happy with my decision to have the surgery.

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?

At first my husband did not want me to have the surgery. He was afraid of me dying. He was also afraid I would lose all this weight and not want to stay married to him. My mom and sisters were all for it. After I had the surgery my husband changed his attitude and was very supportive and helpful during my recovery period.

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 boss that I was going to have surgery and what it was for. He asked if I was sure that was what I wanted to do and I said yes. He was very supportive. I am the kitchen manager of a restaurant and he is the owner. He is an absentee owner so most of the decisions are made by myself. All that I had to do was make sure I had enough employees to cover everything while I was gone and have one person that would basically be in charge. I was off work for only 2 weeks. I do not recommend that to anyone thinking of having the surgery. I feel I went back to work too soon. But I have not had any complications so I was lucky.

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 for 4 days. My hospital stay was as pleasant as can be expected I guess. The nurses were very kind and helpful to me. There was a lot of pain from the incision but that is to be expected. Be sure to take a lot of magazines or reading material.

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

I have been very fortunate because I have not had that many complications or problems. The only problems I've had are from not eating slowly, chewing my food properly, or eating too much. Everything has healed like it should. I have had to teach myself to pay attention while eating and chew slowly and properly. We all have the problem of eating too fast. So, it takes a concentrated effort to learn to eat slowly.

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

My insurance company denied my surgery the first time it was submitted for apporval and I was very disappointed. But we did not give up and the second time we submitted it it was approved. I was so excited because I knew from the beginning that this surgery was for me and that it was the answer to my prayers. I was nervous to a point but mostly I was looking forward to it. My husband did not want me to have this surgery and that was what caused most of my anxiety. But I talked him into going to a couple of the support group meetings with me and talking to people who had already had the surgery and that helped a lot. And I prayed a lot.

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

I didn't have anyone who could stay with me when I got home from the hospital. So, I took care of myself. What bothered me the most was being on the liquid diet. I couldn't go to the fridge and get anything to eat. I was home alone and couldn't eat. I went through a depression thinking that I would never be able to eat again. But that passed and after my first 2 weeks out of the hospital I was put on soft foods and then about 2 weeks after that I was eating whatever I could tolerate. There is a lot of pain from the incision and it was hard for me to sleep comfortably. I have a degenerative disk disease in my back so this aggravated that. Before I went in the hospital I requested what is called an egg crate mattress and that really helped my back. When I left the hospital they let me take that mattress pad with me. This really helped when I got home also. After about the third day home I started going for short walks outside. By the time I had to go back to work (which was just 2 weeks) I was ready. I feel walking really helped.

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

I had my surgery in Fort Collins, CO. I live 36 miles northeast of Fort Collins. So, it hasn't been too bad.

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.

For the first 2 weeks out of the hospital I couldn't eat anything except a full liquid diet. This included liquid broth, jello, coffee, tea, pudding, sugar free Carnation Instant Breakfast, anything pureed. After this 2 week period I went back to the doctor for a check up, I was doing ok so he said I could go on to the next stage which was soft foods. This included jello, pudding, mashed potatoes, well cooked vegetables, nothing raw, and no meat yet. After my second post op visit to the doctor I was allowed to try eating whatever I could tolerate. I had not had any problems up to this point. I started out slowly eating whatever I wanted. I was a little nervous at first. The only problems I have had have been from eating too fast or not chewing properly. I can eat anything. I can eat bread, meat, sugar, anything as long as I eat slowly and chew everything real well. There are no foods off limits to me.

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

When I came home from the hospital I had to be alone. My husband had to work and I didn't have any family or friends that could stay with me because they also had to work. So, I was on my own. I got around fairly well. I could go up stairs and down if I took it easy. And after a day or two of being home I started taking small walks outside. We live in the mountains on a dirt road and it's not level. It goes up and down, so taking a walk outside just to get to the road I have to go down an incline on the driveway. Anyway, I did just fine. Also, took showers each day. Things went real well.

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

The first few months after surgery I took a chewable multi vitamin, chewable tums for calcium, and B12 dots that you put under your tongue until it dissolves. Also a protein drink 3 times a day. Now, I am 10 months post op and I take a multi vitamin(not the chewable kind), I still chew 4 tums a day, I get a B12 shot once a month and I'm getting enough protein in my regular diet that I don't have to drink 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?

I have not had a lot of nausia even at first after surgery. The only times I've vomited are when I eat too fast or don't chew my food well enough. I have not experienced and sleep disturbance or dumping. About 3 months after surgery I felt I was losing some hair. I had more hair on my brush after brushing my hair and I noticed hair on my shoulders more often. But that passed and I have not had that big of a problem with hair losss.

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

I attend the support group meeting that my surgeon started several years ago when he started doing these surgeries. We meet once a month. It is very helpful to talk with people who are experiencing the same things that I am.

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

My sacr is about 5 inches long and has healed very well. It is not what I expected because I thought it would be a lot worse.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am 10 months post op and have lost 150 pounds. Right now I am on a plateau. I have not lost a pound for about 2 weeks. I am not worried. I know I will reach my goal weight. I am only 30 pounds from my goal weight. This is normal as you get closer to that weight. Your body needs to take a rest if you want to call it that. And your body knows at what weight it needs to be at to be healthy.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

When I started this I weighed 305 pounds. Today, 10 months post op, I weigh 155 pounds. Yes, people treat me differently. People I don't even know treat me differently than they would have had I still weighed 305. When you weigh 305 people stare at you. People don't stare at me any more because I'm normal if you will, before, I wasn't normal in the eyes of society. Men talk to me now and they used to not.