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

I first heared about bariatric surgery over 30 yrs. ago. I had a cousin in Calif. have it done at UCLA Medical Center in LA, CA when it was experimental and he didn't even have to pay because it was so new they were looking for guinea pigs...... literally.... He did it and nearly died. Had to have it reversed. His kidneys were failing and he wasn't losing weight either. They sent him home with virtually no diet info and no follow-up until he was in deep trouble. That was my 1st into into it. Never thought much about it again until a friend of mine had a sister-in-law die in a gastric bypass surgery. She had a leak or nick in her intestines and periodinotis set in and in 3 days she was dead....... I lived in fear of it for many, many years after that. But all this time passed about 15 years between incidents. I was getting bigger and sicker the whole time. I started hearing then success stories of this new RNY procedure and new info about better follow-up and diet info that used to not be available and I met a lady that had it done and was doing great. I just watched her from afar. Then last yr.one of the ladies where I worked said she was going to get it done. She was only 30. I said "My Lord, you are so young why would you want to do something that drastic as young as you are. She said I am not going to live the rest of my life miserable. I am NOT. So she had it done in early Jan. of this yr. Then a niece of mine had it done in late Jan. Both are doing great. Both are so happy now. Somewhere down the line I think I decided I deserve to know that piece of happiness for myself.

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

Getting approval for my surgery was relatively simple. I had no problems. They have paid exactly what they were supposed to pay and I have had no problems with them.

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

I would say to have the questions you want to ask written down. My Dr. was very professional. He was running about 1 1/2 hrs. late that day which I have found out since is the way he runs; but he still too the time to answer my questions and to assure me that bariatric surgery has come a long way from 30 yrs ago and that there is a way to have this surgery and to be healthy too.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I lost my job in Dec. of 2003 & knew that I may have to find a more physical job than I had previously had. That made me look into the surgery and try to get it done before I lost insurance in August of 2004. I look back on this event now as the best thing that ever happened to me. I put me on a new road and a road to recovery.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I had to have the open type because my ins. was not going to pay for the laproscopic type without me being out about $3K. Open type I only had to pay $1K out of pocket. So it was a simple 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 would say that the fears are normal. I didn't think about dying. I had prayed about this before doing it and asked God to open or close the doors according to His Will and I was ready to accept whatever came my way. It was an easy way.

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?

I had a couple of friends that were scared for me. My daughter-in-law was against it for fear I would die and leave my grandkids. My son though knew my struggles over the years and said , Mom, you do whatever is best for you & I will be there. They have been very supportive of me.

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

N/A

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 3 days. I had no major problems. I remember them telling me that 1st day my blood pressure was dripping too low; but they must have resolved it quickly. I was on demerol and that 1st day is a blank. I know I got up and walked about 6:00 that night. No problems there. My pain tolerance is very high so I didn't need pain meds. much at all. To me the most important thing to bring is a pr of walking shoes and lip moistener.......... Don't worry about fancy gowns you are going to be in theirs as the drain tube leaks at shower time and you would just ruin your own so save them for home.

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

No complications.

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 got my surgery date and only had two weeks to wait and prepare. I will admit the past day was very long and I was wishing that they would just call and say, "We have a spot now can you come on over". Theere are moments I wonder how it has come to this in my life that I have to have a very serious surgery in order to lose weight; but I can't let that negative thought stop me. I have been staying busy trying to get everything in my house exactly like I want it and everything done up before I go. I will come home alone and not be able to drive for a while so I will be behind before I can get caught up again. I am not what I would call nervous and I am just ready to get it over with.

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

I am at 16 days now. I think I am doing very well. I am tolerating most things. I have had two frothing incidents that were very uncomfortable.........both were due to too much acid in my pouch. I drank Crystal Light Lemonade and my tummy wasn't happy with it. I get very tired in the p.m.'s. I do good in the a.m's. but it just doesn't last all day. Hopefully this will pass soon. I also am not sleeping as much....and that is good I guess; but I am getting my days and nights turned around.......

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

I traveled 65 miles for surgery. I spent 3 days in hospital and 2 days at a hospitality house near the hospital. These two days were very beneficial to me in learning to motivate on my own. I live alone and it was important to me to be sure I could take care of myself. I don't believe 65 miles if going to be too far to travel to do my aftercare properly.

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 not had too many problems with tolerating food. I did try a piece of bacon one day. I don't know if I didn't chew it good enough or if it was too greasy but for 5 days I wanted to die and couldn't. I may never eat bacon again. I have tried some pork products since then; but not bacon. I had no problem with ham, smoked sausages or regular sausage patty. I at first had a great problem with getting in water in even a small amount. Iit is better now. I am doing well now with fluids. I am in a regular routine. I also am getting in all my vitamins now. I couldn't get them all in at first. Just too hard for me to tolerate them.

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

I started my walking immediately after coming home. I am very short of breath due to the weight I am carrying. I am up to 4 blocks now; but must admit I have to force myself to do it every day. It is not something I enjoy. I get very tired in the p.m. It is now 10 weeks out. I am riding my recumbent bike about 45-50 min. a day now. I am walking for longer periods of time.

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

Sublinguial B12, chewable vitamins, viactiv calcium chews, and one iron tablet. I could not use the special bariatric vitamins I got from my Dr. yet. He had me sprinkling them on applesauce. It was horrible and I just couldn't do it. He said to try the chewable for a month but they wouldn't be sufficient after more than a month. I am using the Muscle Milk I get from the Drs. office and it is OK mixed with skim milk.

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 am having trouble sleeping. I have to take tylenol p.m. at night or I wouldn't sleep more than 3-4 hrs a night. I am also experiencing some hair loss; but it is slowed down now that I am getting all my protein in and my vitamins also.

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

The change in my taste for water. I had a very hard time with water at the beginning. I am doing better now. I have always been a water drinker and I missed it so much......... but I am better now at 10 weeks out.

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

We have a support group on the 1st Sat. of every month. It is very good and very well attended. They also have a RN that you can call that will answer your questions very quickly on her return call.

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

It isn't tooooooooo bad........ yes, it is exactly what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

When I reached 48 lbs. I got stuck for nearly two weeks. I would be 48 one day and 50 3 days later and then back to 48. I finally had a breakthrough last week and got to 56 lbs........ I am elated about that.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I am now 4 mos. out and I notice my friends watching what I eat. They seem to be thinking I am 1)either eating too much or 2)wondering how I can live on just this small amount. I am beginning to have people notice my 67 lb weight loss now. It took this much to get me to a point where it is noticeable. I am anxious to see where I will be in reactions in 4 more months.