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

I have known about bariatric surgery for 25 years but never thought it was for me. In fact I had dissuaded many other folks from having bariatric surgery, telling them all they had to do was cut calories and increase exercise. I always felt it too drastic a step to take UNTIL I talked with a formerly obese co-worker who was suddenly normal sized. She was radiant and readily available to talk to about the surgery. After picking her brain for some weeks I decided it was time to consider surgery for myself....it was something I had to do to survive I felt, for my weight had become of great concern, spiraling ever upward. After consulting with my surgeon and getting more details regarding the surgery and how it had changed over the years I made my decision to go ahead with it.

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

I received a packet of information and list of things needed to fulfill requirements for insurance approval, from my surgeons office staff. Once all required tests, physicals and records of previous weight loss attempts were completed and sent to the MD's office, they submitted all to the insurance comppany and approval was granted on the first attempt. They were very organized and knew what was needed to get approval. I am grateful to them for their guidance through this stage of the process, alleviating problems with approval. My only suggestion would be to go to a surgeon who is familiar with the process, one who does many bariatric surgeries, and knows the ins and outs of insurance companies and what they require for apporval the first time around.

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

My first meeting with my surgeon was the night before surgery when I was required to attend a lengthy informed consent meeting with him and other prospective patients, held at the hospital in Tacoma.. Living in Alaska, and having the surgery in Tacoma, Washington, all questions were answered via phone by patient advocates in the MD's office. He did send a video wherein the surgery and the benefits and complications were explained in detail.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My weight was out of control and I knew it was something I had to do in order to live longer and be able to enjoy my retirement.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After researching the benefits of various types of surgery and speaking to folks who had had various procedures performed on them, I was able to decide which was the best for me. I based my decision on what weight loss I wanted to achieve, and what side effects I was willing to live with for the rest of my life. I also considered the amount of supplements and vitamins I would need to take for various procedures, and based my decision on those facts.

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?

Being an Operating Room nurse I was terrified of surgery and anesthesia....probably a matter of knowing too much about what could possibly go wrong. Never having had surgery before I was quite anxious. however I knew it was something I had to do no matter what. NOW I would go through it any time if necessary. The entire experience was virtually painless and truly eye-opening. The fears I had were unfounded. Actually I had great trust in my MD after meeting him at the hospital and was not at all anxious the day of surgery. All in all it was another of lifes' great experiences!!!

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?

I told only my grown children and 2 close friends that I was going to have bariatric surgery. The children were concerned but after I explained the why's and wherefore of it all they were very supportive. All live in the lower 48 so were not available to assist in any way following my return to Alaska. My children did call frequently and offer support postop, and all are delighted to see me, now 100 pounds less, just 6 months postop, knowing I have probably prolonged my life by many years. People at work thought I was going to have "female" type surgery. I did not want to tell anyone other than my 2 closest friends for I thought they would not understand and would try to talk me out of it.. Now that I have lost so much weight so quickly I have come "clean" and told all about the surgery...of course all are curious and happy for me. Now everyone feels it was the right thing for me to do!! Were I to do it over I would do it the same way.

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

I had 6 weeks of sick leave which I used to have surgery. One week was pre surgery as I needed to fly to Washington state, and meet surgeon, go to informed consent meeting and get pre-admitted to hospital.. I took 5 weeks postop to recover. The first week was spent in Wash. where I had to remain until my one week postop appointment at Dr's office. After flying back to Alaska, I used the remaining 4 weeks to recover at home and get used to my new way of eating, before returning to work. My supervisor only knew I was having surgery and would be gone for 6 weeks. There was no need for her to know the kind of surgery I had, in fact I did not tell her I had bariatric surgery until I was 6 months postop.

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

My stay at the hospital was pleasant and short. I was discharged about 36 hours postop. In the immediate post-op phase I had a morphine pump and remained quite comfortable, despite having to get up shortly after surgery to walk. A toothbrush and robe are all you really need, plus the clothes you wore to the hospital, to leave the hospital in.

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

I did not have complications, however I did have much trouble trying to get foods down the 2nd and 3rd months. Fortunately a good friend had had the same procedure 1 month before I did and we were able to share experiences and problems, and talk them out. (And still do so.) I still 6 months postop find it difficult to predict which foods will sit well and which will not. Every day is a new experience and I just go with it. It seems things get better month by month.

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 simply felt relieved and looked forward to getting it taken care of. I knew it was something I had to do and took it day by day until the time came to fly to Tacoma.

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

I had to fly from Anchorage AK, to Tacoma, WA for the surgery. We were required to remain in Tacoma for one week postop, then could fly back to Anchorage. My 1st week was spent in a motel, alone, but I managed. I was given a script for pain meds, but found I did not need to use them. Flying was no problem, altho I do recall trying to mix protein supplement in the small glasses the airlines offer was a bit tricky, but doable.

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 4 years post-op now and still find it difficult to keep hotdogs and meats in general "down". For some reason the more expensive cuts, like prime rib or filet mignon, do go down easier and cause less problems if not overcooked. I chew, chew, chew meats until they are virtually liquid...I cannot handle chunks of meat at all. For the most part I now am able to eat anything and everything and far more of it than in the past. Going out with friends poses no problem anymore. At home I tend to eat several smaller meals throughout the day, or I will take hours to eat the food I take at any given meal. It does take me longer to eat than it used to due to having to chew more thoroughly; this is a bit of a problem at work for we are given only 1/2 hour for lunch. I try to eat lunch foods which are softer and easier to chew, giving me time to get needed nourishment. GAS is a real problem totally managed by watching what I eat. Sugars cause less problem than milk products, however I do get gas from both. Unfortunately, sweets are very desirable so I must eat them on the days I will not be around other people!!! If I forget or go someplace unexpectedly....this happens all too often.... I must be careful and find rest rooms frequently. Diet controls the gas problem overall.

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

I was able to do what had to be done, returning to full time work after a month. By then the weight was coming off so each day my personal load became less, making walking and standing easier. Activity level increased daily due to weight loss.

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

After surgery I used the Vita4Life vitamins and Designer protein products. Now 4 years post-op I still take the Vita4Life vitamins, but only one or 2 a day, based on lab values which are monitored yearly, or more often as needed. Protein supplements when I take them are the Vita4Life liquid packets in water...palatable and easy. Now and then I take B complex vitamins, or whatever, as advised by MD's office staff.

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

The entire process was and still is a "journey" to a better way of life. There was no "bad" part to the experience, and it is still an adventure and learning experience day to day. I would take the same trip again if needed...no regrets, no thoughts of returning to previous way of living. AMEN!!

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

Four years post-op now, I occasionally call my friend who also had the surgery. There is a local support group in Flint, MI however I have not made it there yet. When in Anchorage I did regularly attend support group meetings presented by our MD; these were helpful and did indeed offer much support. It was a place where questions would be answered based on others experiences...most helpful. For the most part I feel pretty normal now not needing the support as I did in the early post-op years.

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

Scar is almost disappearing after 4 years. It never has been an issue.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

DEFINITELY...where I work there are so many negative comments about obesity and how people have no control!! Of course, I have not felt the need to let anyone at new place of work know I had bariatric surgery, but I do feel I would be looked at differently if they knew I was once a very obese person. Perhaps the day will come when I feel a need to let co-workers know of my past, but for now there is clearly no need for them to know. In fact, at work they refer to me as the little elf because I am so small!! What a trip for one formerly referred to as a whale!! I do, however, try to point out that obese people are heavy for a variety of reasons most cannot understand unless they too have been there. I still feel the need to be defensive of obese people