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

I saw some TV shows on the subject and started looking on the internet for more information. It looked scary, but I knew I had to do something about my weight.

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

I have Univera insurance through my husband's job. It only took a week to get approval. My primary doctor was behind me to get the surgery.

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

I did many hours of research on the internet, before I saw Dr. Caruana. Because of my age, 61, he wanted me to have a vein scan to rule out the chance of blood clots. You must ask any questions you think of, none are silly or unimportant.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When it was okayed by my doctor and the insurance company.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

At the time, my doctor only did the 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?

Trust your doctor and 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 skinny women told me that I was taking the easy way out. Now, most people know that I had no choice but to do the surgery. Many can't believe that I stay away from all sweets and desserts and eat so little for my meals.

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

Doesn't apply, I'm a homemaker.

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

My surgery was on a Wednesday morning, and I went home on Saturday morning. The first day is a blur. Trying to get all the fluids in was hard, and getting out of bed was very hard. The nurses were so helpful. I took an overnight suitcase, and never opened it until I was getting ready to go home. The hospital supplied everything I needed.

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

No

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

When I got me clearance to have the surgery, I was excited that my life would change for the better. I wasn't even nervous the day when I got to the hospital. I put my trust in Dr. Caruana and in God, that all would go well.

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

You are very sore from your incision and sleeping in bed was uncomfortable. After a few weeks I was able to move around a lot better. Every day I felt better and better.

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

The hospital was about 20 miles from my home and my doctor is about 15 miles from my home.

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 two weeks I was on liquids only. Decaf tea, water, broth, sugar-free jello. Then to soft foods, soft scrambled egg, sugar-free puddings, cottage cheese, canned tuna and chicken with a little light mayo. Fat-free refried beans. Adding a little more to what you could eat. My doctor sent me home with a diet to choose from for the first month after surgery. It is important to take very small bites of food and chew, chew, chew, before swallowing. I tried to get as much protein into my new stomach as I could. Now I can generally eat anything I want, but in small portions. I used like decaf coffee, and now after surgery, I don't enjoy the taste anymore. Chicken was and is the easiest to swallow in the meat catagory.

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

Because my knees bothered me so much after surgery, I was not very active. One month after, I started walking on a treadmill. Every day after was easier as I lost the weight.

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

My doctor wanted me to take Opisource tablets 4 times a day, starting a week after surgery and every day after.

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 have been lucky. I never experienced any side effects. If I had hair loss, it was very little. I watch my sugar and fat intake, so as to never have to 'dump'.

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

Waiting so long to have the surgery in the first place. I wish I would have been able to do it 10 years ago.

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

My doctor has support group meetings at his office. I would like to have one closer to home. I think it is very important to be able to talk to others who have had the surgery. My daughter had the surgery on the same day, same hospital, same doctor. We are each other's support.

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

My scar is about 3 1/2 inches long. At first it was bright red and sore. To date, it almost entirely faded with just a little at the bottom of the scar that is still a little red. The scar looks just like my doctor said it would.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

A year after surgery, I now look in the mirror and cannot believe that the skinny person looking back at me is ME. I would reccommend this surgery to anyone who feels that they have had it with trying to lose the weight.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, people now make eye contact with me. They will start to talk to me. Never before the surgery. I just love it when someone I haven't seen in awhile doesn't recognize me.