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

My first real thoughts about bariatric surgery happened when a cousin in California informed the family that she was having the surgery. I was initially horrified to think that she was going to have her stomached 'stapled'. I thought that it was a cop-out to 'really' putting her mind to losing weight...you know, 'if she'd only try harder she could do it?' One year post-op, and several discussions w/her later and I was doing my own research and talking w/my insurance company.

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 have alot of trouble w/getting insurance approval. I made a phone call to the insurance company and asked if they cover this procedure. What if anything I needed to do to have it approved, and I went from there. My insurance covers the procedure if you meet a medical need, #100 or more overweight, 40 or higher BMI, and they require a psychological.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I did alot of research on the internet and spoke w/two close friends who have had the procedure. I wrote down my diet history (success/failures) and looked at the stats for success in eliminating diabetes and the decision was staring me in the face. I couldn't not try the surgery.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Research on the internet, talking w/friends who have had the procedure and my surgeon of choice led me to believe that the Roun-y was the best choice 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 feared dying on the operating table but I never really believed I would have a complication. (I do have a gastric leak). To calm my fears I talked w/my friends who went through the surgery. They helped me put my fears into prospective. So many people have the surgery everyday...many much larger and w/more medical complications than I have...most come through without any problems. Dying on the table is a possibility but so is dying in my car on the way to the hospital.

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 showed reservations to me having this surgery. Most of them believe that it's a matter of 'will-power' and I could lose the weight myself. I spoke to them about the obsurdity of this idea...look how many times I've lost weight in the past. It's not taking it off, it's keeping it off! I also told them straight out that I needed their support and if they couldn't give it than I asked them not to say anything at all. In the end, most came through w/flying colors.

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

My employer and co-workers have been very supportive. I told my supervisor the truth and why and I told those that asked the truth. I went back to work part-time (4-5 hrs daily) on the 5th week. I worked part-time for two weeks and went back full-time after the 6th week. Co-workers have been very interested in the proceedure, do's and don'ts post-op and what I can expect down the road. At least 2 co-workers have indicated an interest in having WLS themselves and have asked me for information. Most co-workers have told me how proud they are of me, that it was a couragous decisions.

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

My stay in the hospital was not the best experience. I developed a leak in the staple line 2 days post-op. Due to this, I was kept a week longer. And frankly, I was in no condition to be released on the 4th or 5th day...I was not feeling good throughout my stay and needed a caregiver w/me to help me bath and take care of myself. The nursing staff expected me to do these things for myself and I was literally too ill to do anything more than brush my teeth. (I'm not sure why I felt so weak. My caregiver also made sure that the nursing staff followed the Dr's new orders each day..they didn't appear to check his orders before trying to treat me. It was fortunate that my mother was w/me each day, she is an RN and questioned everything the nurses were doing because they would have made many mistakes like doubling my insulin, allowing a shower without covering the incision site and pik line site, etc... When preparing for the hospital you should bring toiletries, reading material (incase you feel well enough, I did not), bathrobe, brush, underwear and menstrual napkins...don't forget clean underwear in case you do need the menstrual napkins. (chances are your period will start post-op).

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

I developed a leak on the staple line 2 days post-op. This developed a fistula into the lower stomach. I'm 6 weeks post-op and it has not healed yet. I became very depressed post-op and the complication increased my depression. I also became very ill from my blood levels getting out of whack once they sent me home the first time. I was readmitted after 5 days home with home nursing care. When they readmitted me, they corrected my blood levels and put me on a clear liquid diet. These things helped immensely to increase my energy level, I began to get stronger and less depressed. I'm thinking positive, knowing that the leak will either heal on its own or my Dr. will go back in and repair...either way, it will be fixed. The fistuals has allowed me to begin a puree diet which has helped my depression and my energy level emensely!

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 euphoric waiting for my surgery. I only had a month to wait and I was very excited thinking that I would soon be losing weight and hopefully off of my diabetic and acid reflux meds. However, the week prior to surgery brought a great deal of anxiety. I called 2 close friends who were 1+ years post-op and they helped me deal w/this anxiety. I also prayed alot and the lord helped calm my fears.

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

My first time home was a disaster as I wasn't ready to be home...due to the leak I was on tpn...the tpn quickly got my electralites and potassium out of whack and I felt like I was living in a dark tunnel. I was quickly readmitted and the next time home was much better. It took about a week for my energy level to get to the point where I felt more like my old self. I started taking small walks each day and each day I felt able to walk a little farther. Within 10 days I was back to work part-time. I still needed a 2 hr. nap every after noon but I worked part-time for 2 weeks and now will start full-time next week. I'm 6 weeks post-op.

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

My surgeon and hospital are 2 hrs away. It caused me to have to take 1/2 days off of work each time I had an appt. pre and post-op but other than that, I don't feel there was much difference than if my surgeon was in my hometown.

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'm currently on a puree diet and so far I haven't eaten anything that has caused a problem. I've had scrambled eggs, jello, pureed beef w/beef broth, pureed chicken w/chicken broth, baked potato that I mixed w/milk 'til creamy, cheese soup, chili (w/o beans), tuna fish, can shrimp, yogurt, Italian ice and popsicles. In addition, I drink carnation instant breakfast, optimum nutrition protein shake and Isopure protein drink everyday to get my minn. 60grams protein daily. Nothing I have tried at this point has given me any ill effects. Perhaps having to wait 4 weeks before I could eat has given my stomach the time it needed to heal enough to tolerate foods. Of course I have stuck w/foods high in protein, low in carbs and sugar. I'm sure that helps. It'll be sometime before I try sugar I think.

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

I had virtually no energy until the 4th week post-op because of complications. But once I began to get some energy it grew daily. I am 6 weeks post-op and in the past 2 weeks I have increased daily to the pt of feeling much like my old self. Sometimes I still nap during the day but I don't feel that I need the nap everyday anymore.

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

I'm on Flintstone chewable and oral B-12.

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?

Sleep disturbance was the only side-effect I've had so far. It was due to the incision discomfort and that resolved itself at about 3 weeks post-op. I use a pillow hugged up tight to my stomach and sleep on my side (I can't sleep on my back). This helped the problem. I still have minnimal discomfort from my incision and always remember to be careful when getting out of bed. I roll to my side and than to a sitting position...never try to come straight up.

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

The worst part was the 2 to 3 weeks post-op....asked at that time if I regretted my decision, I said yes. Ask me now, and I say, 2 to 3 weeks is nothing to pay for the price of how good I feel, and am beginning to look now. Down 29# at 5 weeks post-op.

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

There is no aftercare support group/program in my area...the program I used is 2 hrs. away. I am trying now to form a support group as I've learned of many in my area that have had the surgery. Until than this site is it...

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

I had an open and a hernia in my belly button so my scar goes from just below the breast to just below the belly button. It is exactly what I had expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

At 6 weeks post-op I'm still losing pretty steadily...although the scale shows the weight loss overnite...one day I'll get on and be the same as 5 days previously and the next day it'll show a 5# weight loss. I have to learn to weigh less often to avoid the disappointment when the loss doesn't show-up.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Since I'm a new post op (6 weeks) my weight loss is just starting to show. Last week several co-workers commented on my baggy clothes. Diet and nutrition has also become the favorite topic of the breakroom. I appear to be the center of attention at my office, these days. Alot of people seem to be rooting for me. They're interested in the do's and don'ts of life after WLS. A couple are even considering having the surgery themselves.