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

A friend of mine and myself were diagnosed with diabetes. I was following the carb count and preaching to her, when she told me that she was having gastric bypass by Dr. Lirio. I was scared for her and actually tried to talk her out of it, but instead she taught me all about the process and how well Dr. Lirio tested you prior to surgery.

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 problem with insurance coverage, I have MVP. I had all the co-morbities that go along with being overweight and they were well documented by my primary doctor and by Dr. Lirio.

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

Very informative. First I was seen by the nurse, photographed, weighed, and vital signs taken. Then I seen Dr. Lirio for an exam. Then I followed him into a conference room where he went through the procedure with models of what the pouch would look like and so on...it was very informative. I was able to ask questions and was very comfortable upon leaving that I had indeed chosen the right doctor.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted to live a full life. I did not want to hide anymore. I wanted to be able to enjoy a bike ride with my husband and be able to run around after my grandchildren.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr. Lirio only does open RNY.

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 was very confidant in my doctor and his process of getting his approval to have the surgery was extensive. Make sure you have confidence in the doctor you chose.

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 husband was supportive from the start. My mother on the other hand was less than supportive at first, but after many discussions and teaching her about the procedure and my reasons for following through with surgery she is supportive now. Many of my co-workers were on the fence, however they respected my decision. I have recieved a lot of support from my family and co-workers since the surgery, I will be returning to work on 10/31/07.

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

My supervisor was supportive and helpful. I explained to her that I would be out of work for approximately 8 weeks, because I was going to have gastric bypass. My surgery was 8/29/07 and I will be returning to work 10/31/07.

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 3 days. I had a beautiful room. I brought my sleep apnea machine, my toothbrush, and slippers, however I never used the slippers because they gave me slipper socks.

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

I am still having some pain along the right side of my incision site, which the doctor says is muscle pain.

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 excited. I coped with any anxiety by joining Curves.

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

I was sore. I watched TV and slept alot. People should expect to be sore and tired, afterall your body has been through surgery and is trying to heal itself.

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

I traveled to Schenectady, which is about one hour away from my home. It did not really affect my aftercare, I had an appointment with my doctor 2 weeks after my surgery.

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.

At first I ate small bites of cream of tomato soup, chicken, mashed potato and SF puddings and jellos. I was not hungry (still not hungry) and I really had to force myself to eat and drink. As time has gone on, I have been able to increase my water intake to 64 ounces a day or more, however I am still having a hard time fitting in three meals. I have found that the thought of hamburg on it's own makes me sick, however if I put tomato sauce with it I am able to eat it. Chicken on occasion makes me nauseous just to think about, other times I can eat it without a problem. I have over the last week tried several different things such as: pasta, rice, bread, peanut butter..only very small amounts and I have tolerated them well so far. I have also added lettuce to my diet because I was having a problem with my bowels..since I added the lettuce no problem.

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

For the first few days after my surgery, I went to the mall or WalMart and walked around but I quickly increased my walking to around the block then 2 blocks, and then 3 blocks, etc.

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

I take a Multivitamin, Biotin, (B-12 for the first 6 weeks, my blood work showed my B-12 level was very high so I have discontinued it), (Benefiber but it did not help so I stopped taking 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?

Shortly after I came home from the hospital, I had an episode which included abdominal pain (around my navel) diaphoresis, wretching, nauseousness, and after an enema an extreme amount of liquid brownish-green stool, it lasted for approx. 1 hour. Not sure if I had an ileus or dumping, I had not really eaten anything that is noted for dumping but...Other than that episode I only have nauseousness after I eat and then after several burps it goes away.

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

Trying to figure out what to eat, how much to eat, and the damn scale. My doctor did an excellent job of pre op teaching, however I think that their follow through after surgery could be improved. I have only spoken with the nutritiionist once since surgery and that was on the day I went home.

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

I have been looking at this blog, and looking at other websites. I have also spoken several times with my friend who is 16 months out from her surgery, she has been very helpful and supportive.

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

It is a straight line from my xiphoid process to about 3inches down my abdomen. I also have a scar where there was a drain. Yes they are about what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had several plateaus and they are very frustrating because you eat so little and I just want all of this extra weight gone. I have had two experiences where I have actually gained 2 pounds, which is the most horrible experience. After the first 2 pound gain, I had a major BM and lost 3 pounds so that was okay. But my second 2 pound gain has just happened and I know that I have not eaten an extra 7,000 calories, but that does not help my brain realize it not does it help my spirit.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Well, sort of I guess. My husband and mother can't stop telling me how "great I look" or "how skinny I am" but I don't believe them. I can see I have lost weight, I know that my clothes are a smaller size, but my BMI still says that I am obese, so I still think I am fat.