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

I heard something about it on TV and decided to do some research of my own. I found ObesityHelp.com and it has been great. It has given me everything I needed to get started and I have made up my own very detailed system of recording calls and filing referrals, reports, etc for my reference and to show others what I am doing.

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

I have made up my own very detailed system of recording calls and filing referrals, reports, etc for my reference and to show others what I am doing. I got a three ring binder and have made up call recording sheets, I keep every referral and report from each step I am on. (The dietician, the Pysch eval, etc.) I have a copy of everything. Plus information about the surgery, etc. to show my family or friends when I want to explain it to them.

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

The first visit was great. I was so happy to see a friend of mine there that I had worked with. I think it is a good idea for us to meet in small groups. It lets you talk one on one with someone else who is going through the small thing and maybe give each others pointers on doing things in there own process. Make sure to ask all the questions you want to and get the whole answer you need. Make notes before hand if necessary.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I feel very confident that this is what my life needs and I am so ready for this change, that I know I cant fail. I know I can do it, I just need something like this surgery to get me there and show me I can.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr. Aslam helps you decide what he feels is good for you. I am going to be having the Lap RNY procedure. I was actually very happy to find out I could have it LAP and not OPEN. I have to admit the open did kinda scare me alittle (call me chicken).

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 feel very confident that if I follow what the doctor states for me to do I will be fine. I am not going to push myself to recover too fast but I want to get back to work as soon as possible. As long as you realize your fears and undderstand the complications that can happy, you will feel much more confident that you can handle them.

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 mom kinda flipped on me at first and told me I just needed to work on my willpower. My didnt talk for days. I was so upset but I can see her frustation. She is much more understanding now and I tell her everything as I good through it. My sister, grandmother and uncle are alittle scared because they know of someone who died from it (but over 5 years ago). I just try to explain to them what it is now and hope they understand. My husband is very supportive and wants only the best for me.

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

I am so lucky I have the best supervisor in the world. I have explained most everything to her and she has been very supportive. She also has been very understanding about all the time I have had to take off and the time I will be out after the surgery. This is definitely an A++ to this battle.

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

My hospital stay was very good. I had two nurses that were the best (even one was a student nurse and daughter of a friend who had surgery two weeks prior). Everyone was very nice and made me feel comfortable. The room was quite small even though I was by myself but it was okay. I was three for three days and always wondered by never questioned the extra day I was there. I didnt mind the rest. I made sure to bring a few things to do and a good comfortable pair of slippers.

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

I didnt have any complications from the surgery but have recently (now 6 weeks post op) have had some swallowing problems. I did have a swallow test done but no narrowing was pinpointed as the problem. My nurse believes that I irrirated the opening and it swelled. I was on just ice and water for almost a week. I am just now starting to see if I can tolerate other things today. If all goes well and I dont vomit again, I can go back on my progressive diet (starting all over again). If I get sick, it is back for another test.

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 pretty good the weeks following surgery. I was very tired but not in a great deal of pain. I was happy that someone told me to get a recliner for after surgery. Sleeping in my bed was not comfortable. I didnt spend the money and buy one just rented it for a few weeks. Great idea!!

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

First few weeks are tiring but not too bad. Just have to make sure to take it easy and follow your doctors orders to the tee.

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

My surgery and stay was only about 30 minutes from home. The ride home was alittle tiring but okay.

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.

EGGS!! Yuk...big no-no for me. I was doing okay the first 3 weeks or so and was able to eat a variety of soups, mashed potatoes, squash, tuna with fat free mayo, etc. Jello and popiscles are the best (sugar free of course). By my fourth week (almost the fifth) I ran into some problems. I was not able to keep anything down without vomiting. It progressively got worse till I was down to just ice and water at the end of my fifth week. I was sent for a swallow test and there was no evidence of any leaks or obstructions but they could not pinpoint that my opening was closing either. My nurse thought I might have irrirated the opening and it started to swell shut. I am in the process (now week 6) of trying to see if I can take in other liquids and thicker soups. She thinks my almost one week of just the ice and water might have helped the swelling and to try again with my progressive diet. I am basically "starting over" again. If I do start to vomit again but for another test. Wish me luck.

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

Activity has been pretty good but limited. I have made a point of trying to walk everyday and that does help with the recovery and overall feeling. Plus it will help with the weight loss greatly

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

I was taking liquid centrium for vitamin supp at the beginning (through my tube) and progressed to two childrens chewables (morning and night). I also am taking two tums a day (morning and night), B-12, Iron, and liquid zantac.

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?

The naseau and vomiting (the two I wanted the least) have been hard lately but hopefully I am over that and can continue on. I have dumping once at the beginning when I had to try alittle choc. ice cream. BIG NO-NO

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

The pain was not as bad as I thought but I was amazed that I did have alittle depression from not being able to eat what I wanted. (especially miss my pasta .... :-( The tubes were alittle pain of a pain but did not hurt coming out either.

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

My doctor has a great monthly support group meeting that is great to have. YOu are able to see others progress and are made to feel so good when you announce your own progress. Visits with the doctor so far have been at two weeks, one month, & two months.

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

I had lap surgery so the scars are minimal. I am going to start with a good cream to help the skin and scars heal better and faster.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had one small plateau where my weight didnt change for one week. I hadnt been walking or drinking much water. Once I did these two things better I lost 5 pounds the next week.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I have noticed a few more men noticing me. It feels kinda good. I still weigh 261 so I am still much bigger than I should be. I would be happy to end up anywhere between 155 - 175. People at work are very supportive and so are my family and friends. Much more so on my family's side than when I was still in the process of getting approval, etc.