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

I heard about bariatric surgery during an introductory session held by Dr. Doyle. He talked about the protein shake diet and also discussed surgical solutions. I knew that was for me, but had to try everything non-surgical first. I also got scared at times, but sites like this one helped me understand that being fat is a great risk as well. One must look at both risks and make a decision. Then, I figured that if I kept doing what I did I'll keep getting what I got. I was a jumpin' and a twitchin' like a monkey on a string and I just had to do something even if it was wrong. Thank god it was right. I have never been happier.

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

Northpointe Health put together my pre-surgical information and I had my primary care physician submit it to the insurance company. They approved my surgery on the first try, in part because all the paperwork had been completed. Make sure you list the BMI and all the co-morbidities! These show your insurance company that they will save money by giving you the surgery.

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

I was very well prepared for my first visit with the surgeon. At home I had printed out diagrams showing all the different weight loss surgeries. I had Internet information in a folder and a folder of my own medical information. Most surgeons have to "gear down" to talk to us because we don't know their vocabulary. Reading on the Internet will help us understand them. Also, I recommend writing out your questions before the meeting. How many of these operations have you done? What is your complication rate? What range of complications have you had? What are the advantages of doing the surgery in the manner you recommend versus other ways (open v laproscopic)? What should I do prior to surgery to increase my chances of success? If you write these out the doctor can address them with you. It kinda gives a road-map and reduces your fears while covering all bases.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The day before surgery my mother had a toe amputated due to diabetes. Everyone in my family is diabetic (but me). I had fallen and my back pain would not go away. The weight loss was sure to help (and did). By the time of surgery my weight was at an all-time high. Had I done protein shakes for a year I would not have lost all the weight. Weight loss was hopless for me until surgery came along. People did not realize that thou! They said I was "not that fat" and they assumed a diet would take care of everything. I was eating a bagel and yogurt every day for lunch as they ate wonderful dishes. I gained weight and they were thin. Very frustrating.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I read on the Internet and talked with the doctors in my area. I learned that what is done by the local doctors with a "patented" version of the Roux-n-y was not that different from what others are doing. Also the one doctor with the patent wanted all the money cash up-front and his partner wanted $2000 in advance... and these guys do an open proceedure. The doctor doing the laproscopic did the work based on my insurance without the advance payment. I also learned that having the laproscopic surgery reduced my risk of hernias and that if one gets an infection it tends to run the length of the incision. Having pin point incisions reduces that risk.

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?

Fear is normal. Make two lists one showing the risks of your weight and the problems it brings. On the other list indicate the risks of the surgery. This is serious surgery. You need to have your affairs in order just in case and you should sign your organ donor card before surgery. However, the risks are probably less than general surgery when you consider how many problems obease people have in daily life and under physically stressful times. You might die from the surgery, but you also might die without the surgery. How do you want to live the rest of your life? Do you want the same life you currently have?

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 girlfriend wigged out. Her mother had a roux-n-y and lost a lot of weight. Now I was having the surgery and she was still going to be heavy. Every time we talked about the surgery she got upset and said things that were intended to keep me from making the decision based on my own health. "You can't risk your life like this because I will be alone if you die."- sort of thing. Anyway, after 2 years living together and helping her through multiple surgeries my big day arrived. Instead of helping me through she met a guy from the Internet and spent time with him while I was in the hospital. Two days after I got home (and having been left alone for extended periods) she ran off with him. He is older than her father and they were robbing me. I had to chase him off in order to keep them from taking my household belongings! The relationship was clearly not ment to be. However, this does show that some partners can not accept the changes of the other person. My surgeon said this type of break-up from WLS is not all that uncommon. If I had to do it over again, I would have included her in the counseling. I did not have a problem with the surgery but she sure did. On the other hand, her reactions are so extreme that I doubt counseling would have helped in her situation. Clearly there were other issues she needed to deal with.

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

My boss was great! He said "put your health first and take as much time as you need." My bosses even gave me heck for continually trying to schedule my surgery around what may be happening at work. My boss came to visit me in the hospital and my two bosses sent me a plant. Two of my peers came to visit me in the hospital and they brought flowers from a group of them. I learned that the people I work with are my FRIENDS and not just colleagues or bosses. Boy am I lucky. I was going to be out of work for 4 weeks, but ended up extending the leave of absence to six weeks. It is about 3 weeks out from surgery today and I still get tired pretty easily. I have trouble with solid food but am ok on small amounts of soft food. So, I am not quite ready to go back and the surgeon suggested extending the leave. I am soooo lucky to have the boss I do.

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

I was in the hospital 4 days. The hospital is very good, but there were a few problems. They did not give me the medication I had been taking prior to surgery (despite promising to do that). They also left a pad under me from surgery and that stayed under my butt on Thrs, Fri, and was removed late Saturday. This seems to have contributed to my having a sore at the top of my butt. Thus it is important to have someone with you that knows what should happen. If you don't have a partner hire someone it will be worth it. Bring loose clothing to wear home. Everything else was provided by my hospital.

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

I had some blood in my stool for a couple days but I talked with the doctor and we monitored it and it went away quickly. I had blood in the urine the other day, but hopefully this latest test will show that has stopped. The key is good communication. When I had blood in my stool I called the doctor and he called me back right away. He even had me come in to re-check my blood work. He is a great guy and made sure that I did well with this operation.

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 have to admit to a good bit of "last suppering." My last meal was a pizza because I figured it would be a year until I could eat half a piece. At that time, I already had eaten my last spare-ribs and my last popcorn, last this and last that. To be honest, I was sick of food! My anxiety was higher from the stress of an unsupportive life partner than it was from the surgery.

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

I was really wiped out for the first day. I drank my liquid vicoden and slept. Day two was a disaster because my life partner moved out and I had to chase her new boyfriend away (since he was carrying my stuff out of the apartment). The good news is that I was not hungry. Food just is not that appealing anymore. I eat and sometimes get hungry but the hunger is about a 2 on a scale from 1-10. Before surgery it was always an 6 or above.

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

I live 5 miles from the hospital. Glad I did not have to go a long distance.

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 was on clear liquids for two days and then on full liquids before leaving the hospital. The first week I could handle soup, jello, and oatmeal(moving into soft foods). It is 3 weeks out and I can eat cheese, 3 goldfish crackers, mashed potato, apple sauce, sugar free popcicles, eggs, cereal with low fat milk (but the lactose makes me feel funky), and yogurt.

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

I walked every day. By the second week I walked 2 miles. One day I did 4.8 miles but then slept for 2 days...LOL. So, I pulled back and keept to about 2 miles for a while. Three weeks out I can walk 2 miles in addition to my other walking. So I am getting a lot stronger. At night I feel my stomach hurt a little from being moved all day long. I should add that I was off pain meds during the second week.

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

2 flintsones multi-vitamines a day. I also drink a protein shake daily (Northpointe Health version similar to Procal).

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 could not lay down to sleep for a week. I felt dizzy for a week and then learned it was withdrawl symptoms from the meds the hospital did not continue when I was a patient. Once that was resolved, the dizziness left. Nausia is present when I eat (3 weeks out). I have thrown up a fair bit sometimes six times a day. Yesterday I only threw up once. I know this is temporary and am learning to judge size and listen to my new stomach. I WILL get there.

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

My partner not being able to cope with my losing weight and leaving me. The second worst part was the air in my abdomen from the surgery. Even my shoulders hurt! Thank heaven I started walking quickly or it would have gotten to be more than I was ready to handle. Walking as soon as you can after surgery does get rid of the gas and that is IMPORTANT.

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

We don't have a group in the Detroit area... yet. I am lucky to know several people who have had this surgery. I talk with them and that really helps. I also chat online with people from this site and that makes a big difference. We all need to realize that we are not doing this alone. We don't have to be the fat kid isolating ever again! There are people on these lists ready to answer questions and help...and it does make us feel better when we can help others. So, don't fear asking questions or sending a letter. Good luck

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

I have six small scars from the laproscopic roux-n-y. They are much smaller than I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Week three I hit 270 and stayed there for a few days. Of course my mind kicked into high gear and I wondered if this might be all I lose! LOL. Today I am 267 and the weight loss has just started to slow. I went from 316 to 268 in three weeks so that is over a pound a day. The doctor is pleased to see my weight loss slowing, so I am happy too.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

So far the only difference is that I am happy and smiling...so they smile back.