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

I heard about the surgery on TV. At first I thought it was pretty drastic, but as I learned more about it, I thought it was a good option for people who are morbidly obese and have had no luck with diet and exercise.

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

I was actually approved twice for two different surgeons at different facilties and my insurance approved both of them with the first letter, so I had no problems. I would just say to those struggling to make sure you fulfill any requirements your insurance company requests because I know the insurance companies are getting more and more strict.

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

The first visit with my surgeon was actually a "group" appointment. There were about 8-10 of us and he went over all of the "ins and outs" of the procedure. He gave us plenty of his time (almost 2 hours) and answered any and all questions patients had.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I figured it was my last option. I had to do something because otherwise I was just going to keep gaining weight.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I did not want the lap band because I knew at any time I could have it removed and go right back to where I was. I was becoming addicted to sugar and knew that I needed the roux-en-y so that eating sugar would not be an option. And...I have not missed any sugary snacks at all. The thought of eating them now does not appeal to 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 had the fear of dying, but also of developing blood clots after surgery. Unfortunately, I did develop blood clots and I am almost 2 months out of surgery and still trying to recover from the clots. I would tell people considering surgery that if they don't have the surgery and have other medical issues, those medical issues coupled with the obesity will kill them...maybe not today, next week or next year, but eventually it will. You have to weigh the pros and cons and if this is something you truly want to do to improve your life and health, then you will put your faith in your surgeon and the medical staff and do it for you.

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?

Some of my family was against it, while others supported me, but by the time my surgery date rolled around everyone accepted my decision. All of my friends were supportive. Friends and family were EXTREMELY SUPPORTIVE after surgery because of all my complications.

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

My employer/supervisor was fine with my decision and has been supportive before, during and after, and even has been understanding with the two times I have had to have my leave extended due to my complications. I will have been out of work a minimum of 10 weeks now due to the complications and they have been very supportive and acceptive. However, I know once I get back to work, they will work me! LOL

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

My surgery was Friday and I went home Sunday. Day 1 after surgery it was hard to stay "alert" enough to push the button to control my pain medication, but once I became more alert I was pushing it every 10 minutes just to stay on top of the pain control. Don't let your pain dictate when you push the button...use the pain medication and you will be far better off. The only things I brought were underwear and a change of clothes to go home in and also my own sanitary napkins since I got my period the day before surgery and I hate the hospital sanitary pads. I also brought deodorant and a pick and brush.

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

YES! I developed dehydration with a trip to the ER for IV fluids. I then developed blood clots in both legs with a one week hospital stay. I am still trying to recover from the blood clots. I also developed severe menorrhagia which caused me to develop anemia so severe I almost needed a blood transfusion! Like I said, I'm still trying to recover from the blood clots with physical therapy home visits twice a week and trying to get the strength back in my legs. It has been very difficult and I'm hoping things return to normal soon. My leave was extended twice (2 additional weeks each time) so that I can recover from the 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 had my surgery date since March or April (surgery date was July 27, 2007). I had days when I would feel really scared to death and not sure I was making the right decision and then I would have days when I would think about the upcoming surgery and be totally fine and feel great. I just told myself that everything I was feeling was normal and if I had any real concerns I knew that the surgeon and his staff were always there to answer my questions, as well as my best friend who had the surgery done.

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

The first few weeks were difficult because I had trouble drinking and getting my protein in. I developed dehydration. PUSH YOURSELF TO DRINK!!! I also developed the blood clots and ended up back in the hospital for a week. GET UP AND MOVE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN!!!

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

The hospital was approximately 40 miles away. With my complications, it made life a little difficult to drive into the city so many times and also have my husband come and visit me and needing to make arrangements for our 3 children under 11 years old.

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.

It was difficult to get the fluids in first. I just wanted to "gulp" down water like I was able to before surgery, but knew I could not and could only take these tiny baby sips. It was kind of frustrating. When I was readmitted to the hospital for my blood clots I was postop almost 3 weeks and had progressed to pureed foods. In the hospital I had to go back to full liquids and then clear liquids because I kept "retching". When I got home from the blood clot hospitalization, I stayed on full liquids a few more days because of the retching and then progressed back to the pureed foods. Once I reached the soft food stage (about 5-6 weeks postop), I could not tolerate milk or cheese alone. I am now at a pretty "regular" diet (8 weeks out) but still have not attempted milk again. I also do not eat eggs because the yolk upsets my stomach and I have not broken down and purchased egg whites. Drinking has become much easier with me able to drink down a lot more than "baby sips". I can probably take 1 to 1 1/2 ounces in at a time. It feels great to drink more normally.

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

I was pretty much up and walking right after surgery but once I developed the blood clots I was down and out and I am now just trying to build up my walking again. I get tired very easily right now.

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

The first month was Flintstone's chewable vitamins, iron, calcium, B1, B12, Folic acid. Now it is prenatal vitamins, calcium and B12. I also take Prilosec, which has been since surgery.

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 "retching" the first few weeks after surgery. I think the worst side effect for me so far has been "shaking". I get cold so easily now, where before I was ALWAYS HOT! I will just start to shake like I have Parkinson's disease and then just as suddenly it will stop!

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

Developing the blood clots. If you have had blood clots, PLEAD WITH YOUR SURGEON TO GIVE YOU HEPARIN TO TAKE AFTER SURGERY AS A PRECAUTION. I did not think to request this. I was lucky that they did place a Greenfield filter in prior to my bariatric surgery in case I did develop blood clots afterwards. I HIGHLY recommend the filter too if you have this history!!!!!

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

There are support group meetings at the facility I went to, but they are in the city and with the complications I have had, I have not been able to attend.

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

My scar is a little left of midline under the breast bone and is about 4" long. It has healed quite well and isn't as nasty as I thought it would be.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Well, 11 days out I went back to my surgeon's office for a postop visit and I had already lost 35 pounds!!! I was AMAZED and SHOCKED. Since developing the blood clots, I went back to the surgeon's office and gained 8 pounds back because of the swelling in my legs!!!! That was VERY disheartening!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet. People will ask me what I can eat, but that is pretty much it right now.