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

A friend of mine had the procedure done and didn't say anything untill after it was done and she was melting away. She let me borrow a book about wls by Barbara Thompson and I decided that I was tired of being trapped inside my 245 pound body.

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

It took a while for the insurance coordinator at the surgeon's office to put things together but I was approved in 3 business days on the first try. I was nervous waiting like everyone is but it helps that others have been approved at the same place of employment and that we are not alone in our journey!

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

Dr. McMahon was very humble and adept at putting me at ease. He requested to meet with me when I had all of my labs submitted and in order. He wanted to answer any questions about the choice of procedures that my insurance would cover before I was submitted for approval. I feel as though he is a competent surgeon and cares about his patient's outcomes.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My BMI calculation is in the morbidly obese category. This was very disturbing to me from a health standpoint. I know for years that many doctors always said that certain conditions were related to obestiy but last summer, I was receptive to the idea to change my life for the good. Being lighter not only has asthetic benefits, social benefits, psychological benefits but prolongs the life I have with my family. I want that life to be full and rich.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My insurance coverage actually gave me a choice between the RNY and the Adjustable Lap Band. I chose the RNY because of less need to follow up with band adjustments and didn't want the slower weight loss. Also, I didn't like the possible need to have the lap band removed if it failed although it would be a quick procedure.

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?

Sure I was fearful of complications but, I did not want to see myself in my 50's weighing 300-400 lbs. like my mother is now. To me, dying from the surgery didn't seem that bad because at least I would be trying to change my health for the better. It is normal to be scared of such a serious surgical procedure but just remember with your hard work, a better life is on the other side!

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 parents were suprised. They are both heavy and didn't think that I had anything to worry about since I only weighed 240. But when I told them it was covered by my insurance and that I was going to Duke Hospital to have it done where they have done it 800 times before, they were less fearful. My mother said, "people die from that surgery". I replied that people die from 'obesity'.

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

I was self employed at the time and all of my clients were genuinely concerned and supportive. I just let them know that my doctor had referred me to a surgeon for WLS to improve my health. I was out of work for about 1.5 weeks and on light duty for about 4 weeks post op. Everyone could notice a change after the surgery at about 6 weeks when I had already lost 20 lbs. They were all amazed and wondered if I was ok for losing weight so fast. I assured them that my surgeon had an excellent follow up care plan.

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

My hospital stay was great. The staff pretty much left me alone after the vital signs, blood sugars, etc. each shift. I was there from Thursday 5 pm to Saturday 4pm. Don't forget to bring some chapstick and some slippers for walking in the hall way at the hospital. I also took a sampling of liquid protein drinks to have after my barium swallow. The nursing staff was awesome and very understanding of the wls concepts. They kept food away when I was unable to eat and made sure I was not in any pain at all times.

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

No complications from the surgery. I got moving, did the deep breathing exercises, etc.

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 felt scared and excited all at the same time. My husband said I was crabby to be around but he understood why. I tried to stay busy with house work and getting everything squared away before surgery.

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

The first few weeks were not bad at all. I had no interest in food or drink for about a week and was forcing myself just to drink water much less any protein. After about the 4th day post op, my pain was non existent and the best thing for me was to walk around the neighborhood to work out all of the gas from the laproscopic procedure.

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

About 20 miles. The ride home wasn't bad. I think my pain was minimized by getting out of bed in the hospital and moving/walking around the nursing station as tolerated with my family.

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.

My surgeon says that liquids only for the first 3 weeks. At 3 weeks I had a check up at the surgeon's office and was advanced in my diet to have soft and solid foods. In the first weeks, I consumed mainly cottage cheese, yougurt with fruit, protein shakes, chili, soups with soft vegies and meat. I had trouble with eating cooked chicken, pork and steak for about 3 months. I found that meats cooked with gravy or sauces were much easier to eat than grilled, dry meats. At abouth 3 months, salads with meat/chicken were wonderful because I could get something low carb at restarants and fast food places.

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

I was walking 1 mile per day at day 7 post op. My surgeon recommended this in order to prevent post op complications and to keep my body from going into 'starvation'/'conservation' mode. Now I try to exercise 3 to 4 days a week by walking or doing yard work like raking or gardening.

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

I take 1 mutivitamin per day and a long list of others. Each day I take 2 calcium citrate 500mg capsules, 2 prescription Iron capsules, 4 flax seed oil capsules, 2 fish oil capsules, 2 evening primrose oil capsules, 1 zinc 50mg capsule, 400iu dry vit. E capsule, 1 dry vit. A&D capsule, 2 alpha lipoic acid capsules, 1 co-q 10 enzyme capsule and a few other prescription items.

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 some nausea but rarely ever vomited. Usually, dry meats would cause me the most trouble early on. I had no trouble sleeping due to the increased exercise. I don't think I have ever dumped yet. I did have hair loss that began around 5 to 6 months and resolved around 9 months. I started supplementing with flax seed oil, fish oil and evening primrose oil to help with hair loss and dry skin.

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

The worst part of the bariatric surgery process was waiting to hear back from the insurance company to see if I was covered and approved for the procedure that I desperately wanted to have! Post op and recovery have gone well and I am so happy to have added years to my life expectancy! :)

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

My surgeon's office has regular scheduled checkups at 3 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months. Just recently they have started seeing patients beyond 12 months and scheduling a 18 month check up as well. We also have a support group through the surgeon's office as well as other local groups. At our sugeon's scheduled check ups they keep patients together that are similar in surgery date so we can compare and contrast our successes and failures. That part is very helpful and encouraging to know that you are not alone. I usually have found most of my support through online forums and chat groups. Now that I am no longer morbidly obese, I am too busy to go to many functions at night after work. I have energy and choose to exercise or spend time with my family instead.

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

My scars are minimal. I had laproscopic RNY and have 5 small 'stab' wounds. They are faint pink and are barely visible at all.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

About every 20 to 30 lbs. my body would decide to plateau. I just kept doing what I was supposed to and eventually I would start losing weight again. Usually increasing my water and eating a few more calories would eventually start the losing again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Folks treat me much differently and the same. My friends, family and coworkers are amazed at the changes that I have been through. New aquaintences treat me as if I deserve respect and I don't feel like anyone judges me based on my body size anymore. I feel NORMAL.