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

A friend of mine and I started researching bariatric surgery in 1998 and I was uninsured so it was not an option. Through the past couple of years of drastic ups and downs with my weight I have decided to go for it.

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

This process was simple for me. I had expected a battle. My surgeon submitted nothing but a letter, and didn't send in any additional information about my weight loss history. Truthfully I have no proof that I have ever been on a diet. I received a call days after my first visit with my surgeon and they told me I was approved. The letter stating my approval simply said that I fit the definition for morbid obesity, therefore they would pay.

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

The first visit was an information meeting with other surgery hopefuls. We all met for a question and answer forum, then met with him individually if we liked what we heard. He does not do the type of surgery I was hoping for, but his method sounds even better than the regular RNY. Ask plenty of questions, it may be the only time you see him until the day of surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I am so tired of being obese. I want kids maybe, and I couldn't imagine adding the extra weight of pregnancy on top of my load at this moment. I want to have the energy to play with my children, and to be a better looking wife and mother.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon only does one procedure and he only does it open. I wanted lap RNY but when I moved from Georgia to Indiana it was difficult to get an appointment with a surgeon who does this. They were all booked solid and kept moving my appointment back farther and farther. I then changed surgeons again and ended up with the one I have now, who does the open VBG/RNY combo, but comes highly recommended.

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 am scared of dying. My husband is even more scared about it. We just got married eleven months ago and the thought of leaving him is nearly more than I can bare. I would say just make sure that your life is in order and that you have your spiritual beliefs in line, and go for it. It is so worth the chance to be normal. The last two weeks before surgery were the worst, I cried a lot, and did a lot of soul-searching.

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?

My brother and his wife are the only people I have told other than my husband. I am fortunate enough to be 12 hours away from my parents so they wouldn't notice me being in the hospital for a length of time. I was told a long time ago that once you tell someone about the surgery, no matter what their opinion, there is no way to "untell" them. I have taken that advice and chosen not to tell coworkers or anyone other than obesityhelp.com people.

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

I work 8-18 hours a week, part time for a data company. I am taking 2 weeks off and plan to go back slowly. I told them before I accepted the job that I needed to be off for surgery, didn't tell them what kind and they didn't ask.

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

My hospital stay was pretty uneventful. I checked in Monday morning for a 10am surgery, and left Thursday morning. The thing I found most valuable was my own gowns, and a robe. I had surgery in January, but it was hot to me in the hospital during the day, cold at night. A robe helped with the temperature change. A radio with headphones was a blessing also.

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

No, no complications other than an open wound for 13 weeks. It was easy to deal with, no infection. Just kept it clean and covered.

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

This was my toughest period. I battled nausea for the first three weeks, but went back to work anyway at 2 weeks post op because I never took pain meds after leaving the hospital. I had a lot of pain from my open incision and draining also.

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 cannot eat eggs, and chicken does not agree well with me. Salad is my favorite thing. I love juice, and milk. I ate a lot of eggs and chicken in the first six weeks, but after I healed I couldn't eat it anymore.

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

I laid around for two weeks, but gained some energy and started to the gym at three weeks post-op. I worked out 4-7 days a week from then on.

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

I take trinsicon (iron and b-12 with an intrinsic factor, by prescription only), a calcium citrate pill, and a multivitamin.

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 lot of nausea at first. I vomit about 3-5 times a week now due to food intolerance at 20 weeks post-op. I lose hair by the handfulls despite getting more than 75g of protein everyday and taking my vitamins.

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

The pain after waking up, and the open incision. Despite that, I would do it over again.

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

St. Vincent has a branched out support group in Ft. Wayne that is ran by one of their dieticians. I have been going to that, but don't feel welcome. They are a "clickish" group, your either in or out and apparently I am out. :(

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

It started out 9 1/2 inches long, it is now down to 7 1/2.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I stay on a plateau it seems. I have one once a month, and only lose weight one week a month usually.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, no one who works with me notices the weight loss because they see me everyday and I am not familiar with anyone else due to being new to the state.