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

My doctor recommended the surgery. He reassured me that the procedure has improved tremendously in the last 10 years.

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

I was fortunate, in that I did not have any difficulty with insurance approval.If I had, however, I would have continued to fight for acceptance.

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

I was pleased with my first visit. I would prepare carefully for this visit, by following all instructions, having all paper work requested ready, and having a good list of every question you can think of.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Last year I lost 90 pounds. After all the time and sacrifice in doing so, I still put every pound back on in about 6 months. I realized then, that at age 53 I was never going to be able to keep the weight off. Up to this point, I had always thought if I tried hard enough and did everything I was supposed to do, I could reach a healthy weight. With this final loss, and gain,I knew weight loss surgery was my last and only hope.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr. Schirmer decided for me. He said he would do an RNY distal lap.

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 had many fears and concerns, particularly about anasthesia and fear that I might die on the operating table. Having come through surgery successfully, I would be less fearful now, if I had to have surgery ever again.

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 family and friends were extremely supportive of the surgery, and thought is was a good and necessary idea. After surgery some friends and family were very helpful and supportive, others did little to help.

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

I was retired at the time of the surgery.

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

slippers

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

Yes, I had some reaction to a liquid pain med, and had slight pneumonia the morning after I got home, and had to be re-hospitalized for an additional 3 days.

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 did not have any pain but had lots of difficulty eating and was nauseous almost constantly. I dealt with anxiety by talking with friends and family and consulting with the nutrtionist and surgeon.

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

My starting weight was 357, and after surgery, many pounds of fluid were added on. I had tremendous difficulty the first week, in getting in and out of bed to go to the bathroom. I needed a helping hand to get up and to get back in bed, the first week. After that I was able to do it myself.Food was not much of a problem the first few weeks, but later, up to 9 weeks, I had lots of trouble with eating and nausea.

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

I had to travel 80 miles.After I was released from my surgery hospital, I had to be re-hospitalized in my home town due to complication of pneumonia.

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.

The first couple of weeks, I could eat everything that had been recommended for the liquid and semi- solid diet. Around the 3rd week, I became intolerant of all dairy products. This intolerance disappeared around the 9th week.After the 9th week, I could eat most anything except sugar of course. Cool Whip free and beans give me gas.

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

I was able to do very little, until about the 3rd month.Then I was able to be fairly active. At 4.5 months I was taking water aerobics.

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

2 Flintstones per day 1 calcium citrate per day

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?

Nausea began the 3rd week and lasted till the 9th week, that was the most difficult thing of all. I asked the surgeon for nausea meds. He gave me a prescription.Hair loss began the 4th month, and is the second most difficult thing.I did nothing about it, but hoped it would end. It is still going on in this, the 5th month.

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

The worst part for me, was feeling so bloated after surgery, and not being able to get in and out of bed without help to go to the bathroom, and also needing help to wipe after the bathroom, and the nausea that set in, and lasted for weeks.

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

My scar runs from my breast bone down to my navel. It looks like a flat earth worm. I am hoping it will fade, but it is not as fine a line as I'd hoped for.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

At one point during the first 4 to 9 weeks, I went for 2 weeks without losing any weight.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, people are thrilled with my progress and eager to know how things are going for me.