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

I was always for it and now that I have had it done I am even more for it. I just want to walk up to these people on the street and say, "you know, you can fix that problem!" but I don;t because I promised my mom that I wouldn't become one of those people that do that!! LOL (She seriously made me promise that!) I was worried abuot the risks, blood clots, death etc. But I knew I wanted it and I knew I had a good surgeon. My sister was for it, my father kinda was but my mother who is also a nurse was totally against it as she has seen the good and bad results, she took me to my pre-op and surgery though and picked me up(2 hr drive each way). I think she was more worried than anything.

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

MY approval was very easy. Humana is great. Just do your research! Call the ins company and find out what is required. Get your letter from your Primary care Dr ahead of time and get a physical if you havent had one. Write down at least 5 yrs of weight loss trials and gett it to your pcp to put in your chart for documented weight loss history. Do your homework and get as much done as you can before you go to the surgeon. The more info you have, the easier it will be. Put some time into it, it will payoff.

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

The first visit was a group meeting of about 15-20 people. He answered any questions, Sandra came out to talk about insurance info needed, and then he saw each of us alone for the inital "physical", we were given our BMI, ht weight and vital signs. He then talked about why we chose this option and that was it. It was up to the insurance now. READ READ READ about the procedure you are going yo have done. WRITE down any questions you have and bring it with you. If you have ANY misgivings in your gut---LEAVE. If the surgeon doesnt answer your questions or says--don't worry-that wont happen anyway--LEAVE! You have to trust your gut. There are good surgeons, like mine and Not so good ones too!!!!! You should INSIST on speaking to some of the past patients, my surgeon has 3 of his past patients working for him now and a list of people you can contact. This is your LIFE, do it right.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was tired of being FAT. I was tired of buying clothes just becasue they fit, not because I liked them, I was just tired all the time. I was happy in my life but not with myself. I was disappointed in myself. So I scheduled the surgery then we went on vacation to Tennessee this year and I took m son and nepwhew to a water park. The signs literally said "overweight people should not ride". I could not make it up the steps to the top of the others without stopping 2-3 times, I was over the weight limit for horseback riding, and then when we cme back to Fla we went to an amusement park in Tampa and I had to have help getting the seatbelt buckled on one of the rollercoasters. I saw the look on my sons face when I told him we couldn't ride the other ones. I decided right then and there NEVER again. That just solidified my decision

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I knew that with the banding you could sit and suck on milkshakes all day. I have always been a person that could find a way around anything. I wanted something that would give me consequences for my actions, something that would make me make the right choices. Something that would make me change my ways that I had not been able to do on my own. The RNY was the only choice for me.

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 very worried about going under, I hate being put to sleep. I have always had that fear as my mother has to be put on life support every time she goes under. I was not realy all that worried otherwise. I knew that a lot of the post op complications can be avoided with correct care-from the dr and yourself. Just know that all of these things they tell you, they tell you because it has happened to someone in the past. They have to give you the best and worst so that you can make an educated decision.

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?

As efore, m mother was totally against this, but now that she sees I am not throwing up all the time, I am losing weight, no constant diarrhea, she is ok with it. She still thinks it is a cop out, that is her view and I respect that but she also respects the very personal decision I have made. Most of the other family members were shocked, I think everyone was. Everyonce came to understand why I had done it.

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

She, like everone else was shocked. I just told her straight out, I was having gastric bypass and needed 3 weeks off work, we looked at the schedule, picked a date and signed me up for short term disability. Everyone here at work has been very supportive. LOTS of questions and now 3 more people here are going to have it done.

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

I was there for five days d/t nausea. We changed all the meds over and over again, put me back on IV fluids, feedings thru the tube and then finally figured out that it was the breathing treatments! As soon as we stopped those I felt better and went home. The dietary department was terrible at the hosp, always late--not by minutes--by HOURS! And yes, I filed a complaint. I had great Techs, a few great nurses and of course a fabulous Dr. The pain factor was a little more intense at first than I expected but the more I moved around the better I felt. I had a great roomate the first night but then got stuck with a 17 year old whiney brat that was a horrible roomate! I tried my best to get her or me moved, no luck. So all in all my stay at the hosp was not great. Had I been released on time--usu the next day--it would have been much better.

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

The only complication was the nausea. It subsided after we stopped the breathing treatments.

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 was about to jump out of my skin!! I was so excited!! I just kept counting the days and driving the people at work crazy. I took 2 weeks off before surgery and took my son on vacation and ate everything in sight!! The nervousness built as the day drew closer, mainlyt just because of the unknown. I was lucky to have some good friends at work to talk it out with, lucky that they put up with me for that long! I know it had to be annoying.

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

I stayed with my mom and dad for the first few days but aftr that my son and I went home. It was annoying not being able to drive, but I survived. I rarely took any pain medicine, I threw away almost a whole bottle. The G tude caused me the most doscomfort since I was allergic to the material it was made of. Also--if anyone hasany discomfort from it--baby orajel works great just around the insertion site. The first day or two was the nost painful, I felt better everyday. It took me awhile to get some stamina back though.

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

2 1/2 hrs one way but well worth it for the piece of mind I have.

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 am only almost 9 weeks out as of today 10-7-03 so there is stil several foods I cannot tolerate. No seeds of any kind--made that mistake once with a blackberry. No hamburger or steaks yet wither. I am also having a problem ith breads--they expand and get you later if you aren't careful!. I could not tolerate coffe right after, I had a cup last week but it doesnt even really taste tood anymore. I AHVE NOT HAD ONE CIGARETTE SINCE THE SURGERY< DONT EVEN WANT THEM!!! I cn't tolerate ketchup-make s me nauseas. I have, however, been able to tolerate limited amts of sugar. I even had part of a little debbie brownie and didnt get sick. NOT GOOD!!! I find that I am craving milk and O.J, 2 things I did not drink before the surgery and I am also craving watermelon-weird. I don't miss the sodas, better off without them. Will update you with changes as they will come, that I am sure of.

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

My activity level in the few days after the surgery was to walk around the nursing station and take a shower. Once home it was dailt life for about a week or two. I slowlt increased as my body would allow. Now, two months after the surgery, I swim almost everyday, walk 1/2 to 1 mile a day and just started an at home exercise program for aerobic training. I am increasing my activity everyday but I do still have my lazy days but I am much better than before the surgery.

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

I take a chewable multi vit everyday, iron everyday(almost--nasty side effects), colace once or twice a week, magnesium/calcium/vit d and zinc everyday. That's about it right now.

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?

The nausea had to be the worst at first but it passed as I said before. Then it was the G Tube-it caused me a lot of pain from the reaction but I couldn't take it out--it had to stay for a month-no matter what. I took benedryl often but found it hard to find a good sleep position and if I did it didn't last long. The day it came out--I felt like a new person! I have not had the pleasure of living thru the dumping syndrome thank God. I do eat some sugar--but very little and I am very careful! I am sure it will get me when I least expect it though. I have just started with the hair loss, but mine is so thick, I could do without a little anyway and I have drastically increased my protein intake to counteract the loss, I hope it isnt too late. I wsa lacking on the protein thing, got lazy with my diet. I told you--I have been very lucky! I did throw up once-with the blackberry--seeds are not a good idea yet!

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

I have several people at work, a family member and 2 others that are having it done, we support each other. I also cruise the sites. None particular. I am a very strong willed person and tend to take over in groups, I prefer it this way. Most others find the support groups very helpful and informative and a valuable resource.

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

I have several little scars. one on the left abdomen-circular-smaller than a dime from the G tube, one on the r abdomen about 1 in long-bigger than the rest from the JP drain, and then 4 others from the instrument insertion less than one in long and fading quickly. Less in number than what I expected and a small price to pay for the results.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I hit a plateau about 1 1/2 months after the surgery. I was shocked and pissed that I hit one so soon--but I started this at 252-smaller than most and I wsa warned that if you plateau at a certain weight before the surgery that oyu will do it at about the same place after the surgery. I stayed there for almost 3 weeks and I was panicing that I would be one of those people that wouldn't lose the weight. I didn't show it to anyone--just kept up a good front, but I was totally freaking! Finally it started coming off again and now I am back to losing about a lb or more a day. WHEW! (hint--increase the protein and water if that happens to you!)

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I notice that I now have 60 mothers at work asking me if that is on my diet!! I have to remind them I am not on a diet! People are always telling me how well I m doing and how much of a difference they can see. They all seem more cheerful too and that I find strange--I don't know why they are happier. Don't really care either cause I am happier and that's what matters.