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

In a magazine-Icalled for some information, drove 4 hours for my first consult. After hearing all the details, I was terrified and didn't persue it further at that time

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

At the time of my latest consult (with Cleveland Center for Bariatric Surgery) there was an insurance specialist who knew a great deal about each insurance co. She told me that my co. (med. mut. of Ohio) was pretty good about approving--if you had five years of documentation for being 100 lbs. overweight. Within the next week I got those papers to her. I had some records from a medically supervised weight loss center and a couple of weights from my regular doctor. Within three weeks of her submitting thos to the insurance co., I was approved

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

CCBS provides a half-day seminar during which all questions are answered. Papers are filled out and then you meet with one of the two surgeons to find out if you are a candidate for the surgery. That meeting only lasted about fifteen minutes but by that time the nurse had explained the surgery, the pre and post op. routine, possible complications, and the five year results- that is a record of all their RNY surgeries including complications and weight loss. That day I also got to speak with two patients-one just ten days post-op. and the other six months post-op. I left feeling like all my questions were answered.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I felt no fear after this consult. Maybe it was just that the time was right for me but I felt confident that these surgeons, who work together on each patient, really have their act together and their results are impressive.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

these surgeons only did open RNY. After doing research and finding this to be a "gold-standard" procedure I just deceided this was the way to go

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?

After reasearching my surgeons I found there had been no deaths from a first-time procedure--their stats were great. As a nurse I knew the liklihood of complications were nothing compared with what could happen if I didn't lose a significant amt. of weight. I have encouraged my brother and my adult son to do it.

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?

friends and relations were all told and everyone was supportive both before and after. I was always very open with everyone--that's just me

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

I only work one day a week and my job is sedentary--I was out of work only 2 weeks and they were thrilled for me.

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

I went the morning of surgery and the next day and a half are a blurr--because of the pain conrtol pump. By the 3 rd day the catheter and iv were out, I was eating small amounts. the next day I showered and went home. I took very little to the hospital--and needed even less. I had a tv and private room. My only painful memory was that by the 3rd day my back was killing me--from laying in bed I guess. Most of the time when you are fully alert you are eating, bathing getting up, getting backto bed, and doing breathing exercises. The few times I found myself with some time on my hands, I read about the postop phase and what I was to do and eat when I got home. Altogether very non-traumatic!!

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

I had no complications

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 did get a little anxious toward the end but I spent a lot of time on the computers bariatric sites and got a lot of inspiration from those who had had surgery already.

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

This time was not particularly difficult physically--of course I took everything slowly and followed the rules. During this time I was totally consumed with getting things right-nutritionally. Getting at least a quart of water, 2 liquid supplements and my pureed foods in each day, plus my medications were a full-time job for the first 2 weeks. I got a few cat naps in each day and for the first week found it more comfortable to sleep in the lazyboy. At 2 weeks I started to drive, went back to work 1/2 day and started to take small walks.

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

the hospital was an hour drive from home--this had no affect on my aftercare--I spoke to the nurse twice in the first 2 weekd home and since I had no staples I didn't have to go back till 4 1/2 weeks post-op

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.

pureed foods the first 3 weeks although by 2 1/2 weekd I was pureeing things I liked like eggs and soup, applesauce and even spaghetti and chili. By 4 weeks I was eating a soft diet and only avoided suger and things with too high a sugar content. By 6 weeks my diet was almost normal but 2 things that did not agree with me were rice and white bread. I took this opportunity to switch to whole wheat bread and found toasting it made things easier in the first few months. For the first month I had 2 liquid supplements and by the second month I only needed one a day because I was able to consume enough protein in my regular diet. I still have these supplements and use 3 or 4 a week. At a year postop i now find that although my way of eating had changed dramatically, I still must be careful about grazing too much. I don't eat sugar or desserts ever although I have read that a bite of somethinf now and again would be ok.

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

I covered that above but by 2 weeks I drove and went back to work and by that time I wqas also sleeping in bed without diffficulty and by 3 weeks started to walk short distances. At threemonths I joined a gym and have been going 4-6 days a week since and really am enjoying being physically active for the first time in 10 years

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

I take a general vitamin,mineral, antioxidant and extra calcium, vitamin E and B12. As I said before I made a protein supplement drink initially with milk and later with water as instructed by the nutritionist

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?

only vomited once after eating some leftover rice and I had thin hair before and it did get a little thinner by 5-6 months postop. It hasn't gotten any worse but no better either. I think I've only dumped once after eating a cream soup that I made with milk and that evdently made the sugar grams too high--just sat quietly and deep-breathed and it passed in a half-hour

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

I can't think of a worst part. It has been entirely positive from the moment I woke up after surgery. I made a positive decision that has only been wonderful from day one. This year I have not been sick at all and my mental outlook has been wonderful. I told a friend I hadn't seen in a while that I have never felt so good for no paticular reason in my life (since my children were born)

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

I haven't gone to support because it's in the evening in downtown Cleveland which is an hours drive but I get support as needed from the internet site and from friends. I have learned that there is a group closer which I plan to join this next month

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

It starts midline below my breasts and extends to above my navel It's not extremely attractive but it healed without difficulty. It seems like a small price to pay for what I got in return

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I'm in one now for the first time. I have remained at the same weight (down 110#) for the last 6 weeks. We have been out of town much of that time and I'm hoping that next week as life returns to normal I can get back on track with a more normal eating pattern.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I have discussed this with friends. I think people treat me better because I treat me better. As I come to love myself better and have a more positive outlook , this just extends to how I percieve other peoples attitude.