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

A friend was looking into having the surgery and told me about it. I was at first skeptical and thought that it probably would fail just like everything else I tried. By the time I heard about it I had decided to just eat myself to death, it wasn't worth the emotional hell to try and lose weight. I researched it for my friend so I could give her my professional opinion(as a nurse). By the time I finished researching it I decided to do it myself. I believed it would probably work and even if it didn't, maybe I would die in surgery and then I wouldn't have to worry about being fat anymore.

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

I was approved without much trouble. My doctor wrote a letter asking for approval and then the insurance company (BCBS) wrote me asking for a detailed history on weight loss attempts including names and addresses of doctors I had seen for obesity. I had no doctors names and such, but provided them with a history of every attempt i had made to lose weight and how much I actually lost followed by how much I gained back. I included my crazy attempts during fits of depression (starving, smoking when I felt hungry) I got up to 3 packs a day one time, but only ate every two days. I ended my letter with a statement of my current suicidal idiologys and begging them that this was my last chance.

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

He was blunt, informative, and removed any rose-colored lenses you were wearing. I would make a list on paper of things you want to ask him. Write down the answers. Find out how long you are expected to be in the hospital and out of work. What short-term and long-term restrictions will you have after surgery? I recommend going alone, you need to be comfortable with being frank with him/her.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had nothing to lose. I had given up on life and decided to just be fat and happy and die from morbid obesity. I was suicidal. I decided that surgery couldn't possibly be worse.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted the Roux-en-Y because nothing is removed, just re-arranged. If sometime in the future it became necessary to undo it, it could be done.

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 a nurse so I knew realistically the chances of major complications or death were low even though real. I however was not afraid of death because I believed it to be better than life, at least life at 305lbs. Everybody has to deal with their fears differently.

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?

When I told people I was thinking about it, my freinds and family were split. About 2/3 of them were supportive from the beginning. 1/3 of them were totally against it. My husband and my best friend were in the 1/3. When I first told my husband I was interested in it, he told me "no" and to not even think about it. I didn't talk to him about it again until after I had paid my money and it was a week before surgery. My husband then came around when he realized I didn't care if he told me that I was not going to have it. This was my decision and I expected him to support me through it. End of discussion. My best friend still doesn't agree with it and tells me every time I see him that it was a mistake and I am losing weight too fast. He doesn't understand that I need him to be supportive whether he agrees with my decision or not. I have gotten to where I dread seeing him or talking to him.

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

My employer was very supportive. I told them what I was having done and they wished me luck and were eager to see the results. I think that is because I am in a nursing profession and nurses like to see other people try stuff. I was out for 5 weeks and then had the restriction of not lifting anything over 50 pounds. I had the open Roux-en-Y, not the Laperoscopic. The doctor wanted me to stay off for 6 weeks but I was bored to tears and couldn't stand it at home any longer.

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

My hospital stay was pleasant, I was there four days. I went to nursing school with my nurse, so I had an advantage I guess. You need to bring something to do, I brought a crossword puzzle book. If you like TV it will help. I hate TV and there is very little else to do while laid up in a hospital bed. I wish I had brought a radio to listen to. Bring warm socks and non-slip slippers. I also brought my own nightgowns, although the hospital I was at had hopital gowns for larger patients.

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

My incision re-opened 3 days after my doc had removed the staples. I was panicky even though it wasn't that bad. I called my doc in the middle of the night and after having me describe it, he re-assured me and had me come into the office the next day. I steri-stripped it for about 5 days but it was becoming infected, so I had to leave it open and pack it(wet to dry) for about a week before it closed up. I also had a very bad case of constipation that took enemas to clear up. I made the mistake of eating a large heavy meal the last day before surgery.

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 nervous and had many "what now?" thoughts. My mother came and stayed with me during surgery and for the month after surgery. I recommend people get someone to do this for them, mother or friend, someone they are very comfortable with. by very comfortable, I mean someone you could have help you wipe your rear end if need be, or give you a suppository, etc...

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

I felt tired after surgery, very low energy during the second week. By the third week I was ready to go back to work, but my stamina was still decreased. I was working full-time again within 5 weeks.

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

Only 30 miles or so.

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.

As follows are notes I used to guide my diet progression: First 2 weeks - high protein; soft & mushy and/or crispy; small bites, chew well SOFT & MUSHY CRISPY LIQUIDS soft eggs melba toast calorie free soft cheeses crackers continual yogurt - low fat, light tortilla chips not with meals legumes - mushy very crispy bacon milk - fat free peanut butter (very little) potted meats - not spam low fat spreads mushy canned vegetables Second 2 weeks - high protein, soft & mushy and/or crispy; above plus added foods, more variety; small bites, chew well soft & mushy ground meats spices well cooked vegetable peeled fruits - apples, pears 4th week - grapefruit - no membranes After 4 weeks: High quality, highly nutritious foods in small portions - meats and salads. Avoid highly processed foods - food in a can or box. No junk food, empty calorie foods and high fat foods. Cut up meats in pencil eraser sized pieces and chew each piece individually Take 20-30 minutes to eat a meal. Drink before eating, not during or after - calorie free drinks. Train yourself to recognize the new "feeling of fullness". Buy a childs or senior citizen portion at restaurants. Eat solid/heavy snack foods - no ice cream or cookies. Stop eating when you are full. Try new foods, retry foods that you have not been able to tolerate previously. Avoid fruit peelings and membranes.

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

After 4 weeks I was back to normal. I was always pretty active and I was having no problems except for my bra rubbing my incision and getting up from low chairs.

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

I take two children's chewables, two tums ultra, and 300 mg Actigall a day.

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 had no side effects, because I don't consider vomiting or dumping syndrome side effects. These are behavior modification tools that come with the surgery. You overeat or eat too fast, you vomit. You eat high sugar foods or drinks, you have the dumping syndrome. You cope with them by eating slowly and stopping when you are full and by eating healthy foods.

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

The scar. I am still hoping it fades some more.

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

My doctor recommends going to staple mates but I haven't. I don't have time.

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

It is higher than I expected. It is from just above my belly button to between my breasts. My bra rubs on it and it itches terribly.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had surgery on Aug.9th and was 305. I hit 230 aroung 11-30 and have just now hit 229 on Dec.2. I went back to 234 and then came back down. Maybe I read the scale wrong one day. 8-11-00 Update, I am now 188, post-surgery one year.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I have had several door opening experiences lately (Guys opening doors for me). I have also had guys flirt or make passes at me. My husband seems interested in me sexually again.