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

I have friends who have undergone the proeceedure. It was scarry, my last hope at real weight loss.

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

This was really a non-issue for me. My surgeons office submitted everything. I had called the insurance company they stated all they required was a letter stating that this was a medical necessity. My surgeon however required that I meet with a dietitian, and a psych consult. Once we gathered all of the info sent it to the Insurance Company and I was approved.

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

Well before you meet with my surgeon you purchase a video and binder with information that needed to be complete before your first visit. I found my surgeon to be very well informed he wanted to make sure that I not only knew the risks, but that I was committed to succeeding. And that I knew the risks involved with non-compliance. So watch the video and get on the Internet talk to people who have undergone the procedure. Then write down your questions. Because you may forget to ask when you meet the first time. Make sure to fill out any paper work completely and honestly.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I am healthy, I did not have diabetes, heart, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea and so on. But every one of these comorbid conditions affect at least one person in my family. I'm 35 and wanted to live a lot longer. I weighed the odds and knew they were not in my favor if I continued down the path I was on. This was my last hope at real weight loss. I wanted to continue to be healthy and become healthier. I want to see my son graduate from high school, go to college, get married, and bless me with grand children. I did not think this possible if I did not do something to get my weight under control.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon only performs the Open Rny procedure. I could have found another surgeon but after watching the video, talking to friends and coworkers who had the procedure, and researching on the Internet it seemed the like the only choice for my success.

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?

My only fears going in were that my incision would not heal as I had a major surgery just 2 years ago and the incision took almost 18 months to heal completely. My second fear was that I would be the one person that the procedure would not work for :(. Thats just one that I will have to get over. So far it has been a success I have lost over 50 pounds and I'm not at the 3-month mark. Lets see where I am in a year. :)

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 was wonderful and so was his family. His mother was scared for me and does not want me to have any more surgery EVER! But they have all been great. My friends and coworkers still don't believe that I weighed as much as I did many of them thought I should not have the surgery cause there was no way I was 100 pounds over weight. When I tell them that I had 150 pounds to lose they are shocked. But they are supportive.

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

I told them the truth. My manager was very worried when I ended up in ICU she's a wonderful Christian woman who wants only the best for me. I was off for 6 1/2 weeks. Then I returned to work part time for 2 weeks. Now I'm back to work full time.

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

Well my stay in the hospital was prolonged. I spent 3 days in ICU and then 4 on the cardiac floor. The hospital and their staff was great. I really did not need to bring anything everything was provided. I did however bring my own pillow and slippers.

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

Yes: While on the Operating table my heart stopped and lungs filled with fluid. I spent 3 days in ICU on a vent. I was sent home with an oxygen consentrator that I use at night when I sleep. And my incission is not healing as well as I would like. It opened up in a few spots and drains.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

The first couple of weeks were dificult. It was the holiday season and I was unable to eat real food (Liquids, Full Liquids, and Protien shakes). But I made it :)

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

Well the first couple of weeks I could not get comfortable. My surgeon has you wear a binder. I was unable to lay on my belly cause it hurt too much. And my inscission was oozing a lot.

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

My surgeons office is about 40 miles from my home. Well the thing that affects my after care more (meaning support groups) is that I work evenings :(

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.

Well the first couple of weeks was liquid and full liquid. Then on to pureed foods. I eat just about anything I want. I can not tolerate fatty foods. I am having issues with the protien shakes they are so hard to get down and stay down. Most foods taste very salty to me. I am almost never hungry. I do eat because I know I have to but because I'm not hungry I get full very fast. So I try and eat my protien first.

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

I walked on my tread mill every day in the begining for about 7 minutes 3 times a day. Now I'm up to 30 minutes 2 times a day.

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

I take Buggs Bunny multi vitamin twice a day and B12 sublingual twice a week

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?

Well when I started eating real food again, I had to learn to chew chew chew if I did not chew well enough up it would come. Liquids often times give me a stomach ache even though I'm sipping. I resolved this by drinking everything with a straw. My hair loss has been minimal (but I have experienced this with a prior surgery). If I eat something that is too greasy I can count on diarrhea. So I advoid greasy foods.

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

Oh let me think about this one! I guess that I waited this long to do it. I mean I tried everything to lose weight. I really wish I would have never let myself get to where I needed it, but I did so now all I can do is look forward and thank God to be on the losing side.

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

Well I work nights so I am not able to attend the support meetings. My surgeon has a very well rounded after care program. Because of the issues with my incission I visited him every week for the first month, then every 2 weeks. Now I don't have to go back for 3 months. But I know that they are always there if I need them to just pick up the phone.

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

My scar is much better than I had anticipated. It did open up in a few spots so its kinda wide there. But for the most part its just a line down the middle of my belly.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have not hit a plateau yet! I am almost 3 months postop so we will see what happens in the future.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Well the first question out of their mouth is "How much weight have you lost?" The second thing they say is "There is no way you weighed almost 300 pounds" So no I guess they really don't treat me different they just have lots of questions.