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

When I was in my early Twenties and a new nurse a woman came in and had Intestinal Bypass. This was in the very early 1980's and it was considered a very dangerous surgery and she had many post-op complications. I decided then that I wasn't going through anything like that and put the thought of weight loss surgery out of my mind altogether. But in the past few years - thanks in many way to Al Roeker (sp?) on the Today Show - I have become interested and started researching the newest developments in wls. I was very surprized in the changes since I have been out of the nursing profession. My opinion started changing the more I learned until I came to realize that this may be my only option since nothing else has worked.

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

I didn't have any problems getting approval. We have United HealthCare select Plus POS through my husband's workplace, which is IBM. They have been so pleasant to work with, always helpful whenever I spoke with anyone there. The one thing I can say is that I went to my first consultation with EVERYTHING together - I had copies of my previous sleep studies, a printout of all my meds, doctor's notes about my weight, a list off all diets I've been on and the results of them, etc.

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

I have medical intake first wioth the nurse and she answered a lot of questions. Then I saw the Doctor and he explained what would be done surgically and what I could expect post-op. He was so thorough that I didn't have any questions. I also saw the patient representative who re-inforced a lot of what the doctor had said and added a lot from her own experience of having had the surgery. I had done a LOT of research on this site and similar sites so I went into it well educated.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Nothing else had worked - I had just completed 6 months of supervised Weight Watchers with minimal results.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My PCP strongly recommended it and as it turns out, that's all Dr. Batay-Csorba does.

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 have had some concerns about possible complications but I have committed myself to following the doctor's orders as exactly as humanly possible to prevent them. I have also prayed a LOT! Ultimately I know that I am in God's hands and He is in control of my life.

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 husband and children have been very supportive, my 20 year old daughter has attended a support group meeting with me as my support. So far my friends have been very positive and encouraging, at least to me. If they any of them have doubts they aren't saying it to me. My husband and I have really talked a LOT about this - talked out both our fears of me having the surgery verses not having it. The only thing I'd do differently if I had a "do-over" would be to not tell my Mom until after surgery.

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

I'm a full-time Mom so this was a non-issue for me. The most difficult thing I'm facing is who will take care of my kids while I'm in the hospital - I still have a 2 year old at home!

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

I got to the Barix Clinic on a Monday by 9:30am and since the surgery before mine had to be rescheduled I was basically whisked into the OR with little time to panic. I stayed there until Thursday. The entire time I was there I had 1 on 1 nursing care and was treated liek royalty! If it hadn't been for the post-op pain I would have really loved it! They provided for my every need, the only thing you'd really need to bring would be your slippers, comfortable clothes to go home in, and something to read. If you have a favorite pillow that you sleep better with bring that but the nurses do work very hard to make sure that you are very comfortable and can sleep.

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

Nothing except the gas pain. I think the gas pain was the worst part but the Extra Strength Gas-X chewable tablets and walking really help.

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 a little scared but I prayed a lot and remembering that I'm in God's hands always helps!

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

I started walking soon after I got home and that helped but the gas pains were still pretty bad for a couple days after I got home. But the fluids and walking and the Gas-X helped. Just don't expect too much of yourself at first and when you feel tired, lay down and nap! I had no trouble sleeping in my own bed from the first night home but it took a while to find a comfortable way to sit on the couch for the first few days. Just take it easy and listen to your body!

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

The drive was just over 2 hours. It was not a pleasant trip and if I could have changed one thing I would have remembered to get a pain pill from my nurse before I left. I hadn't had one for a couple hours before discharge and could have had one but I forgot. We drove to the half-way point and I got out and walked around and used the bathroom while my husband and daughter had lunch, then back on the road. By the time we got to Tucson I NEEDED a pain pill but had to get the prescription filled and took another 45 minutes so I was really hurting by the time I got one. That made my first day home hard but once the pain med kicked in I was much better and glad to be home.

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.

The first week was clear liquids followed by 2 weeks of full-liquids. In the full liquid stage I drank a lot of the protein drinks, Unjury chocolate protein powder in skim milk is the best! I also like the vanilla Unjury in orange juice blenderized with a couple of frozen strawberries. I could also have cream soup so I mixed unflavored Unjury with my cream of chicken soup and that was good. at the 3rd week I started pureed food and that was good but the dietician said I could have eggs on the pureed stage but I dumped BAD on eggs.

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

I gradually worked up to walking 30 minutes or more a day. When the weather is nice I walk outside and in bad weather I can go to the gym and use the treadmill or go to the mall and walk.

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

I take 2 Flintstone chewables each day plus a chewable vitamin C because my family has been sick.

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've had very few episodes of dumping but they're no fun when I get them. I've never been good a throwing up - its very uncomfortable for me. at about 3 and 1/2 months I started noticing some hair loss.

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

The post-op gas pain. It took several days to get all the gas out of my system. The walking and Gas-X helped but it was still uncomfortable. I did have incisional pain but after the first few days it wasn't very bad.

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

TUSWLS here in tucson has been my main support group. I received a letter from someone telling me that a support for Barix Clinic patients has started here in Tucson but I haven't made it to those meetings yet.

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

It starts just below my sternum and ends just above my belly button with a small drain hole scar just below my belly button. The scar itsself is about 1/4 inch wide and has some keloid areas but looks pretty good. Its still very pink but is fading nicely. I apply New Skin scar fading gel twice daily.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

At just 6 months out I have only experienced what I call "mini-plateaus" because they last only 1-2 weeks and I do continue to lose inches even when the scale isn't moving.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Oh yes! I actually had an 18 year old guy hitting on me at the gym one day - it was funny but really made my day!