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

I didn't think I weighed enough to qualify for the surgery, so I didn't think about it. Also I was kind of scornful, like this surgery is a cop out. I laugh at myself right now as I say this, because of course I did qualify and the 'cop out' scorn is a reflection of the self blame that I and we impose upon ourselves, like we who suffer this incredible difficult problem should only continue to suffer and not have a way out. The idea of having this surgery just came to me one day out of the blue and when I asked my doctor what she thought I was flabbergasted to hear that she thought it was a good idea. That's all I needed to go forward.

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

I had no difficulty. All insurance matters were handled by Dr. Hares office.

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

This meeting was fine. There is so much to learn and I believe that we can only assimilate so much at a time. This meeting is only a first step.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Once my internist approved, I was confident to go ahead.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I did research on the internet and to me it was a very easy decision (duodenal switch). After deciding on which procedure, I then chose a surgeon.

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 did have fears, especially since I'm self-employed and don't get paid if I'm not working. I didn't worry about dying but having complications that would have me off work a long time; and vaguely thought out how I would deal with that, drawing from retirement sources.

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 adult children were concerned and 2 of the 3 were very supportive. I did minimize the seriousness of the surgery to them and they have commented on that in retrospect. One of my daughters was very negative about the surgery, thinking it was too radical and dangerous for me, considering my smaller size. My friends were incredibly supportive, very confident that I would do well, and were helpful after my surgery, one friend coming to stay with me for 10 days after I was home. Thank you Pat.

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

I am self-employed and worried about the loss of income. I returned to work after 3 weeks, and although I was tired, this worked out fine.

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

I was at St. Johns Oakland, in Madison Heights, Michigan over the weekend. All aspects of my care was excellent.

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

Although my surgery was long (4 1/2 hours) and I am 60, I was out of the hospital in 3 days, and did very well at home. I took medication for pain for 10 days or more and I was exhausted for about 4 weeks. I returned to a sedentary job after 3 weeks and that was OK. Kinda like working with the flu.

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 very calm, confident and hopeful. I did have thoughts about complications, noticed them and then let them go. I did have some financial concerns which I worked out in my mind if I had too take longer than I wanted off work.

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

Everyone is different. Speaking as a 60 year old, my experience was just as I expected. Nothing was unmanageable. On my 6th post surgical day,I did get bitten by a bee, took benydral, excitably swallowed too much water, vomited, broke out in massive hives, went to the ER, got cortisone and went home. That was very scary, especially to a friend who was visiting at the time. (we were out walking) That was my worst thing. I had trouble sleeping, very exhausted, pain for about 10 days, and much GI activity. All managable and expectable. I would say I had an excellent recovery and was back to work in 3 weeks.

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

30 minutes. I wouldn't want to be far away.

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.

I have had almost no trouble with food. I followed the food plan as given by the doctor. I still do not tolerate lettuce, white flour foods and lots of sweets. I have the duodenal switch and seem to be able to eat more quantity than the RNY people and more than other DS people. I can eat a couple of cups of food with no problem almost from the beginning. I've lost 48 lbs in 4 months, about 1/2 of what I need to lose.

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

I walked immediately. I am a walker anyway and was walking 2 blocks outside after 5 or 6 days and 1 mile after 2 weeks. I am still slower than I was pre-surgery. I use the treadmill 4x a week, 30 to 45 min and do weight training once a week. I plan on increasing the weight training amounts to 2x/wk.

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

Take 1300 calcium (4 cal. tabs), 2 multivits without iron, 4 vit D's, 1 A & D, 1 B complex, that's it.

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?

4 months out, I still have rumbling in my GI tract which can sometimes be heard by others, much diarrhea and gas every day. This doesn't bother me much, 4 on a scale of 1 to 10. I haven't had much hair loss yet, I'm over the sleep disturbance, my energy has returned 6 weeks ago, and my thinking is normal.

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

The first two days in the hospital were the worst. I just felt terrible. I had an ng tube, an oxygen face mask, 102 temp. (I was on edge of pneumonia), tubes from all orifaces-just awful. But in 2 days I was up and around, took a shower, and felt better. Came home with a drain, no problems.

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

I attend a bi-weekly aftercare group, 50 people or so. I find it very helpful.

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

My scar is long, 3inches below my navel up to my breast bone. Who cares!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I was on a plateau for about 3 weeks in the second month. I thought that I would be the first person to fail on this surgery, something that many people talk about in the Q & A section. I was miserable and then realized that in fact this wasn't magic and that I might as well learn that now and get to work exercising more and be more careful about what I eat. I think I would be considered a slower loser, at 48 lbs in 4 months and yet I am satisfied by my progress at this point. I am learning to trust myself and the surgery. I also realize I am in the honeymoon phase and there may be more periods of fear about this working in the future.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Most of my clients say nothing about my weight changes (I'm a psychotherapist- and didn't share with them what kind of surgery I was having. No doubt many of them have guessed and are being respectful of the boundaries of psychotherapy. At some point I imagine this will come up for most people and then we will explore the meaning to them if there is any). Friends are very excited for me and comment frequently. When no one says anything I wonder if my weight loss doesn't show. It's hard for me to see except for my change of clothing size.