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

I'd heard about it years and years ago and thought it sounded great for other people, but never considered for one moment that I'd ever be interested. That was before I had over 100 lbs. to lose. When my PCP mentioned it, I started to re-consider. I trust my doctor. She's conservative with treatments and I knew if she thought it was a good idea, it probably was. After thinking about it for 2 years (and seeing a psychologist in between), I went to an informational meeting at my hospital and about 9 months later had gastric by-pass surgery.

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

It was easy. Park Nicollet Clinic has an employee who deals with insurance companies. I submitted the paperwork (including a short essay)to the clinic and I was approved right away. I really don't have any advice for others.

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

The meeting was good - very positive. I had a long string of questions for Dr. Jones and when he was done talking to me, I didn't have to ask him anything I had written down - he had absolutely covered everything. I liked him, personally, which was good. And he didn't sugar coat anything. He made it very clear that the surgery was a tool and not a panacea, warning me that 3-4 years out from surgery, patients had to be diligent about keeping the weight off because it's easy to gain. He told me about the need to take supplements for the rest of my life, etc. And he talked about the risks, but also told me, "Frankly, the greatest risk for you is not having the surgery." Gulp. My only advice for other patients is to do what I did: come to the meeting armed with every question you can possibly think of.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was in a bad way, health-wise and since I'd tried everything to lose, and failed, I felt it was my only option. In fact, I remember thinking how fortunate I was that it was an option and that the surgery had been done so many times and had "improved" in the past years. And, I have a close friend and another friend whose husband had had gastric by-pass with good results. In the latter example, my friend's husband feels it definitely saved his life. He lost 180 lbs. seven years ago and has kept it off.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The hospital/clinic I go to only does the Lap Band and Gastric By-Pass and since the surgeries are so expensive, I did not even consider any other type (I needed the insurance company to pay). I went to the informational meeting with a semi-open mind. I really wanted to have the Lap Band because it sounded like it worked (my son's girlfriend and a co-worker had the Lap Band and they both loved it)and it was less invasive. I'd never had any surgery before except for a tonsilectomy and a tubal ligation and surgery scared me! But, after going through all my pre-surgery appointments, the dietitian and the psychologist let me know they thought the bypass would be better for me and I decided to see what the surgeon thought. Dr. Jones does both procedures and I felt he would be the best judge as to what would work for me. When I saw him, he told me I was not a good candidate for the Lap Band because of my age (I was 61) and the fact that I had Diabetes, so I agreed to have gastric bypass.

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 was scared to death about being put out, the pain factor and yes, would I die on the table.... But Methodist Hospital is a "Hospital of Excellence" and has a lower mortality rate and complication rate then the national average and the type of surgery I had has fewer risks than even gall bladder surgery. I prayed a lot and talked to people who'd had the surgery. When ever my nerves were getting the better of me, I thought of the alternative - no surgery - no weight reduction and dying too young of Diabetes or a heart attack or stroke.

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?

Most were positive. My husband thought I was crazy at first, but then meeting my son's girlfriend who's had the surgery made him change his mind about it. I found that people who knew people who'd already had the surgery were the most positive and good friends confided in me that they had been worried about my health and were glad I was doing something about it. Everyone was very supportive after my surgery.

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

I work for a high school and my supervisor/principal was fine. I had to go through our district office and fill out a medical leave form which was signed by the surgeon, line up a substitute and it all worked fine. My surgeon insisted on a 3 week absence (because of my advanced "age!") but I could have come back before that.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

It was very informative and interesting. The session was quite long, but the time went fast because the speaker/nurse/WLS patient was a good speaker. There were a lot of people at the session and a lot of good information given. Although I hadn't made up my mind about having WLS after I walked out, I was decidedly more positive in my opinions about it. The statistics were impressive and I liked the fact that they gave information about both types of surgeries.

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

My stay was OK. I had surgery about noon on a Thursday and went home the following Saturday afternoon. It's been two years since I had surgery so I can't remember what I brought but in hindsight, if anything, I might have brought too much. The stay was short and I slept a lot, so any books, magazines, etc, that I brought, I wouldn't have needed because I slept a lot.

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

I woke up the first night and was itchy - all over. I was scratching every where! The nurse said I was having a reaction to the anesethia, which was leaving my body and put some Benedryl in my IV. I warned him not to give me too much because that stuff really affects me, so he gave me a half a dose. The Benedryl made me woozy, out of it, and I vomited after I was given my pain meds. But, the itching stopped!

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 very apprehensive and worried, but every time I thought of the alternative - not having surgery, I calmed down. I felt like I was being given a second chance and that I was fortunate that I was living in a time when surgery was available for my morbid obesity. I put one foot in front of the other and went ahead. I prayed a lot. I'm not very religious, but I am spiritual and I trusted that God would see me through this and that it was meant to be.

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

It was actually easier than I expected it would be. My surgeon insisted that I stay home from work 3 weeks and I probably could've gone back to work earlier. But it was nice to be home and have the time to make my "mini meals" and make sure I was on schedule for my liquids and my food. Physically, I felt good. I stopped taking the pain medication about 3-4 days after surgery. I made sure I got my walking in and when I did go back to work I was more than ready.

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

Not far at all - 10 miles or so. I had the surgery in the same hospital where my children were born, some 30 years ago.

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 followed the food plan the hospital gave me to a T, and since it was two years ago, I might not remember everything. I remember eating Cream of Wheat for breakfast, sweetened with a little unsweetened applesauce. I ate blended turkey or chicken, thinned with a little skim milk and could eat apple sauce, non-fat re-fried beans and maybe suger free pudding or Jello. And of course, I drank a lot of liquids, including sugar free Carnation Instant Breakfast. My diet was very restrictive and then as a week or two would go by, new foods would be added. The only thing I didn't tolerate very well was water! It didn't go down very well and it didn't taste very good to me. I don't know how long that lasted (6 months?) but I love water again and now I can drink as much as I want.

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

I was sedentary but I did go for a walk every day. I coudn't walk very fast but every day I felt a little stronger.

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

This is what I take: two calciums a day. I started out with Vivactive, which I still take, but I think I'm going to go back to Calcium pills when I'm done with my current pkg. I take one multi-vitamin, Vitamin D and I've been taking iron and a vitamin C, but I had my two year check up last week and my iron has doubled in 6 months, so my doctor took me off the iron and C.

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 no nausea, no vomiting, no sleep disturbance and no hair loss. My hair got to me straw-like, and it still is, but a friend reminded me that Estrogen is stored in fat cells, so there you go! Since my weight loss, my hair is dry, my nasal membranes are dry (I'm on a medication for it), my eyes need moisturizing drops and I need Vagisil. I'm 63, and what little hormones I used to have, are gone! It's a bummer, but a small price to pay, I guess, for my 100 lb. weight loss.

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

As someone in my support group said, "If I had to have the surgery every year, even it was in the parking lot with a kitchen knife, I'd do it!" I have to agree! Let's see - at the beginning, there were a lot of appointments, then there was the actual surgery which I worried about more than I needed to and then there was the first 3 months after surgery, where I was measuring and counting a lot. I think the worst part was the apprehension and stress before I had surgery.

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

Excellent. Aside from seeing the Bariatric technicians on a regular basis, I had several appointments with dietitians at regular intervals. I also take advantage of a support group that meets twice montly in the hospital.

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

I did not have an open surgery, so it's not so bad. After two years, the color is the same as my skin. I kind of forget I have it!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had some pleateaus, and when I did, just kept doing what I was supposed to until it passed.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I'm not sure. Probably, yes, but it has more to do with how I feel about myself than how people feel about me or react to me. I feel better now about myself and I think that translates into people treating me in a positve manner.