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

A friend of a friend had an RNY with Dr. Michael Wood in Detroit and died 3 days later. It sounded scary and radical.

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

I was amazed at my quick approval. After all the paperwork was submitted, I had approval in less than 2 weeks!

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

He answered all my questions before I asked them, and was very supportive and friendly.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I lost a friend to diabetes and have another friend who had both of her legs amputated. The diabetes scared me far more than the surgery.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I'd heard so many bad things about gastric banding...that most people who have it done regain thier weight... that I knew it wasn't for me. I'd have preferred to have my RNY by lap, but there was no doctor in the area who peformed it.

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 feared the surgery, but feared much more NOT having it. Other people were far more scared FOR me than I was for myself. I did end up with pnuemonia after surgery, but the staff knew exactly how to treat it and it was gone before I even left the hospital. Make sure you find a surgeon you trust, and put your trust in God.

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?

Most of my family and friends were horrified that I would consider something so drastic. I pretty much told everyone there was nothing they could do to change my mind...that this was MY decision. After surgery, everyone was pretty much supportive, although some obese members of my family still have a bad attitude about my loss

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

I was in the hospital for 4 days. I brought several things, but the only one I ended up using was my favorite pillow. The hospital provided EVERYTHING I needed.

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

I got pnuemonia briefly. It was treated immediately, and was almost completely gone by the time I left the hospital.

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 week was very bad. I was uncomfortable all the time. The worst part was trying to find a comfortable sleeping position. After that, things got quickly better.

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

I got increasingly better every single day. The only thing I really had to stop doing was lifting. Walking and moving a lot really help get the soreness out. After about a week, I was feeling well, and after a month I was completely back to "normal".

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

BTC Ypsilanti is about 25-35 minutes from my home, so it is very close and convenient.

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.

BTC has strict guidelines about eating. You start out on clear liquids, graduate to full liquids, then to pureed foods, soft foods, and finally to "normal" foods. There is very little I can not tolerate. The only thing that really bothers me is excess sugar.

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

I was pretty sedentary the first few days, cause I felt BAD. After the first week, I pretty much was able to do anything I wanted to.

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

I take two multi-vitamins (morning and evening) and a calcium suppliment.

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?

I've had very little nausea, no vomiting, no sleep disturbance. I have experienced dumping on a few occasions, but it is mostly tolerable. I did have hair loss for about a month starting at about 4 months post op.

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

The worst part about the surgery was the attempt to have a bowel movement afterwards. I ended up having to have two enemas, and I HATE those!

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

I am a member of 4 different on-line support groups. They have been wonderful in providing information and support.

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

My scar is very thin and fine...excellent work, Doc! The only place where it looks a bit bad is where my bra irritated it...it's a bit wider and darker there. It extends from the bottom of my breastbone to my navel.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I've had plateau of up to a month, but I notice that I usually lose a great deal of weight after my period.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

ABSOLUTELY! I finally realize how "normal" people are treated, and it's great. There is an awful lot of "fat-harassment" out there.