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

I was asked by my PCP if I had heard about it. I said yes, and was not interested. She asked me if I would talk to the surgeon about it, and because I liked her, I agreed. When I talked to the surgeon, I was totally convinced that this could save me.

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

Piece of cake.

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

I seem to have the need to "connect" with people, and he seemed distracted, or uninterested. I think I am too sensitive, and I take things too personally. It would be great if you came with a bunch of questions written down (I always forgot what I wanted to ask him). Do not expect to be best buddies right away, like I do. The doctor should have references, I know I would talk all day about my doctor, and he gave me lots of references.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was convinced from the start. Throw me a lifeline, and I will grab it...

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I was confused about this. I did not decide for a long time. VBG, RNY, back and forth I went. I went with maximum results, less side effects (RNY). The VBG has a good chance of not working, and I was not going to go through all this for nothing (I have never had surgery to this point). On the support group (ossg), there were people who were looking for a revision to the RNY from VBG, and that clinched it for me.

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 made out my will, and that made me feel better. I only feared dying a little bit. I thought, "If I die, it is better than living this way. I would miss my family (hubby and 2 kids), but I am useless, a liability, living this way". I was frightened to death about complications, though. I thought that I would never be able to eat again except through a straw, or I would have to eat all the foods I hate, and that's it. I was afraid that I would not heal, and would split open at any time. I laugh hysterically now. I can eat almost anything, to my dismay, and my scar is big, but I know I am together forever. On a serious note, I am still afraid to do sit-ups at almost 2 years post-op. At nine years post-op, gaining weight is the only fear.

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?

War. Some thought, "How gutsy, good for her", and others thought, "Is she out of her mind????". Thankfully, they bickered amongst themselves, and left me out of it, mostly. To questions, I provided as much info and websites as possible, and gently (and sometimes not-so-gently) said that I had made up my mind. Despite the war, all were very supportive before and after surgery.

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

Did not work...

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

It was pretty good. I was there for 4 days, and only had one mishap. I had the shakes (cold), and no one answered my call. The nurse was in the next room (I could hear her), and the patient she was with was difficult. I had a panic attack, and had trouble breathing. Someone finally came and gave me a warm blanket (but no apologies). My husband made me a hospital gown with ties on the sleeves (IV line). A small pillow would be good if they don't have any. CARMEX - lip balm is an absolute MUST, and there is a 99% chance that you will get your period (if you are female), 'nuff said.

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

On arriving in recovery, the staff realized that the epidural I had was not working for me. I was 2 hours late getting to a regular room (as my parents freaked out) because they had to turn up the epidural to maximum and figure out how much morphine to add to it to relax me. I woke up once in the elevator - I could hear myself moan a little, and a lady said that there would be a little bump (she understated). I either fell asleep or passed out then. By the next time I woke up, I was blissfully morphined. The worst complication was not being able to find anything to eat. It was touch and go for a good 6 months. The problem will solve itself, but it is frustrating and upsetting. I was lactose intolerant, and threw up everything else. My ribs were KILLING me for 8 months after the surgery. The doctor said that it is from the retractors pulling on my ribcage.

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 frightened - I made out my will. I ate a lot - do not feel guilty for doing so. My date was postponed a week, and during that week I was much calmer.

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

I was weak, very weak. My husband had to wipe me, which was kinda yuck. Just walking 4 feet was difficult. The pain was not too horrible - after a week, I started throwing up the medication, so I had to go without. I was not very uncomfortable as long as I did not twist a lot (my scar is 8 1/2 inches long). I had to sleep in a recliner for a little over a month, and when I did go to bed, it was difficult for about a week, until I got used to it (I also had to sleep on one side only).

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

1 hour by car. I had help, so it didn't affect me at all.

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.

At first, my "food" was no-sugar-added hot chocolate and gatorade. When I was able to eat food, at 7 1/2 weeks, I had to be super careful. I started slowly, with puree, and onward. Most things I threw up, to the point that when I left the table early, my kids went from, "Oh, is Mommy okay?" to "Oh, Mom's just barfing". Throwing up was my life. At about 8 months post, that is when it let up some. The nausea just left as suddenly as it was there. The lactose intolerance took a little longer (to about a year post), and I still cannot have too much dairy, but I do not have to use soy anymore. There are still items I cannot eat, and one thing I do is if it is something I could throw up (stuff you cannot or tend to not chew), I will cut it up really small (even potato soup!).

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

None for almost 3 months - I did not bounce back like you hear a lot of people say. I then started walking - and at about 5 months post, I was up to about 2 1/2 miles a day (including hills).

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

I take 2 Bugs Bunny a day. I also had to take protein shakes for months (as eating was impossible).

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 nausea and vomiting was the worst!!! Next would have been the hair loss, I lost a lot of hair. I only dumped twice, but you will remember it!!!! The vomiting was for about 7 months, and I still do if I make stupid food choices (and yes, you actually choose after a while). I still lose hair a lot.

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

Waiting, and the hopelessness you feel when you "cannot" eat. Trust me, the eating comes back, more than you would like...

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

None. It is very important, and I know that I would do better with one. The surgery is failing for me probably because I have no aftercare or support.

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

8 1/2 inches long, a little wider at the top. I had no idea what the scar would look like (this was my first surgery). I have so many stretch marks that you barely notice this huge scar...

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Keep starting by your pre-op weight. You will gain a lot in the hospital (I went from 355 to 376!), but you will lose it in about 5 days. My first plateau was at about 4 weeks post. There are a lot of plateaus, too many to count, so don't let it disturb you. My weight loss ended about 1 1/2 years post op.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, I am still fat.