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

Initially it had a lot of bad press here in the late 90s and early 2000s due to mortality but since then, but since then that has not been in the news. I initially went to an open house here for a local bariatric surgery clinic but I didn't care for their office staff and ended up finding my surgeon through a friend that used him. I have liked all my dealings with him and his staff, pre and post op.

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 use insurance. But start early with Dr visits and get them tracking your weight.

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

My first visit with my surgeon was the day of surgery. I worked his nurse, we are both in the states, before I went to Mexico. He asked me again and again for questions but since his nurse was so great, I didn't have any.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I'm not sure. I think I just reached a point of outgrowing clothes AGAIN and that my dr was pushing for me to go on HBP and cholesterol med's. I didn't want my parents to end up having to bury me, that would kill them.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Lapband requires follow up visits and also I didn't like the idea of that foreign body sitting on my stomach. Also, I have had an ulcer in the past and if I got an ulcer where the lapband sits, then I would have to have it removed and then ANOTHER surgery done..so why not do it right the first time with VSG?

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 am morbidly obese, and I really worried about waking up from anesthesia. I just told myself 'if i don't have surgery, i will certainly die..but there is only a chance of not waking up from this surgery.' I also lost the pre-op weight that Dr's nurse told me to, so that the surgery could go as quickly as possible.

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?

Family and friends are overall supportive. They know that I wasn't having it for cosmetic reasons, but instead to save my life. Friends were scared but then REALLY scared when I told them I was going to Mexico for it. Most of them came around. I'm not sure my brother was too concerned one way or another...but my parents probably didn't really accept me doing it until I was back from having it done! I think they were worried about me dying during surgery, but they weren't thinking about me dying if I didn't HAVE it.

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

My employer was pretty cool. Some of the people in my departmental are judgemental but I don't care. My boss was very supportive and kind about me being off work, she checks on me every day now that I am back at work. I had my surgery over MLK weekend. I flew on Friday, Surgery on Saturday, Sat and Sun nights at hospital, Monday d/c from hospital back to hotel, then flew back home on Tues. Was home from work Weds, Thurs and Friday..so in total, I missed 5 days of work because we were closed on MLK day. I would have taken off more time, in retrospect. I was pretty tired still last week, maybe come back half days last week.

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

I was there from about 8am Saturday til 8am Monday, so 48 hours. Hospital was very nice. Surgical equipment is new and top-notch and the dr was amazing. Slippers and a robe were important to me. I did change into a night shirt at one point. I slept a lot of that time but I suppose an ipod, books, magazines, would be important to others.

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

No complications. I had a lot of gas which just had to be waited out, and walked out...

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 did feel anxious while I was still trying to lose weight for my pre-op goal. I haven't flown in like 10 years so I was anxious about how going thru security would be, and what the flight would be like, would we be on time, etc. I really felt calm once we got on the plane, though, I just think I had made my peace and was resolved. I had no fear on surgery day at all.

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

I am right now 16 days post op. A person should expect LOTS of pain that first week at home. I was off my pain med's by Fri morning, so that is almost one week after surgery. I didn't take tylenol or anything else after that. Right now I am dealing with weird stomach gurglings and some loose BMs. Also sleep can be restless. I had a lot of pain when I would roll onto my left side, due to that being where the stomach was removed out-of. I am still learning what tastes good. I am missing caffeine and soda pretty badly, I had a serious Diet Mtn Dew habit. Keep variety up, have different flavors of shakes, popsicles, jello, pudding, etc.

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

I flew 1000 miles each way and then also had a 3 hour car ride after landing in San Antonio. If I was closer, I would probably be harrassing my dr all the time with calls about 'is this normal' but instead I am just surviving it. My nurse is still contacting me to see how I am and also I have a friend who had surgery 8 months before me with this surgeon so she is helpful also.

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.

For now, I am just one week 2 of full liquids. I am pretty bored with blended-up Chunky soups because I ate them for three weeks post op. I haven't had normal food since Christmas day. I am sick to death of jello, but now i can have pudding so that's ok. I will add more as time passes...

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

I have been walking around a lot but not been back to the gym. I don't feel that I have enough energy. However, I walked up and down the halls the day of surgery. The day after we arrived back, we went to the grocery store and I was really tired, I used the scooter cart thing there, but when I went back the next day, I didn't use one.

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

Chewable multi, iron, b-12, aspirin, calcium. Swallowable biotin, fish oil, flaxseed oil, vitamin e, and vitamin d.

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?

No hair loss yet. Yes, nausea. I have to brush teeth first thing in the morning, either before or after showering. I can't even have a sip of water or it'll gag me when I brush my teeth. I have to rememer to sip my water so I'll gag too. I would wake up 1-2 times a night before surgery and I still do that. Now that my left side pain has resolved, I don't wake up from rolling onto that side.

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

I have a few small things: Waiting for the leak test after surgery so I could have ice chips. Forcing myself to eat and drink now, since I am not hungry. Feeling really run-down, trying to get energy back up.

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

I don't have any aftercare group. I did find a monthly support group that I will attend for the first time in a few days.

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

I have five scars. So far, they are healing well. I am allowed to used mederma, etc, starting tomorrow, so I will. I am not concerned because I also have stretch marks in that area.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have not been losing weight as fast as I thought I would, which is dissappointing, but my body is still mourning the loss one almost-all of one of it's organs. Once that passes, I think my weight loss will pick up.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, people have noticed I am losing weight in my face and shoulders, which is nice. I think people that didn't condone this are just not talking to me, which is fine because they don't matter anyway. This was a decision I made for me, not them. I would say 90% of people are cool with it, and they support me.