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

With all the advertisements lately I've known about bariatric surgery for some time. I simply didn't think it was an option for me. The cost alone was something I simply couldn't afford and I didn't think I qualified for it through my insurance.

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

My first bit of advice is to stay on top of it. If you are really serious then make sure you meet the requirements and attend the meetings as soon as possible. Through the particular medical group I used for my surgery there are a series of hoops you need to jump through. My PCM (not connected to the surgery group) was very supportive of my decision. She told me should would ensure I met the initial qualifications. You must also attend a Lifestyles Change class before the surgery. I scheduled everything hoping to get through the red tape as fast as possible. I spoke with the first nurse and because of a missunderstanding I was sent to pulminary. I did a sleep study for Sleep Apnea and was given a positive test result. I had to be on the APAP/CPAP for at least 30 days before they would touch me. If you are diagnosed with this condition do not blow it off. I feel much better and my blood pressure has come down a lot. I was told that phase of the approval would take the longest to get through but in reality it was the wait for a surgery date that took the longest. I had to wait 7 weeks to be given a date after insurance gave me the final approval. I started my journey with my PCM April 23rd and was banded on August 11th.

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

I met with my surgeon 2 weeks before my band date. He explained exactly what he was going to do and how long it would take. Simply listen to what they have to say and ask any questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Knowing that my insurance would approve my surgery. That was the only thing holding me back.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My insurance only covers 2 options. Bypass and Lap Band. I just needed a little help in controlling my eating and the Band was the way to go.

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 truly was not afraid. It's a risk that must be taken in order to experience the change but those risk run very low with my particular procedure. Make sure your surgeon knows what he is doing. This will help lessen the stress you feel.

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 supported my decision. My husband knew I was unhappy with the way I was and when he learned a friends wife (under the same insurance) was getting the procedure done he encouraged me to talk with my PCM. My blood pressure was borderline, I was pre-diabetic and I was beginning to have severe pain in my joints. Since my surgery my husband has been there every step of the way. He tells me everday he's proud of me.

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

I'm not currently employed. I've been working toward entering a new career field for some time now and I wanted to have the surgery behind me and be stable in my new life before I moved on to a new chapter in my life..

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

I received a lot of information. It helped that the attending surgeron was the one I chose to perform my surgery. It allowed me to know exactly what was in store for me.

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

I arrived at the hospital at 6 a.m. and was directed to day surgery. They signed me in and then showed me to my prep-room. While there are beds separated by a curtain we were given a private room. The nurse who attended my was very bubbly. She was constantly talking and cracking jokes. I have a friend with a similar attitude and it was a wonderful experience. They told me surgery was set for 7:30 and they had me in at 7:20. The last thing I remembered was feeling light headed and then I woke up in recovery at about 9. They transfered me to a wheelchair and took me to perform the swollow test. From there they sent me back to day surgery where my husband joined me. I sat in a reclining chair for about 30 minutes while the continued to monitor me. They then sent me home around 11:30. I've been told this is not typical but I had no problems with being sent home so soon. All I took was the clothes I was wearing, socks for my feet and easy slip on shoes (flip flops). I wasn't there long enough to make use of the book I brought and even once I was home all I felt like doing was sleeping.

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

There were 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'm still in week one but the shoulder pain is the worst pain you will experience. Being a woman I discovered that wearing a bra was not helping since it put too much pressure on the joints in my shoulder which only increased the pain. Most of my incision pain was gone by day 3.

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

Since I'm still in week one I can only describe that. If you come home the same day all you'll want to do is sleep. Keep up with the pain medicine your doctor gave you for at least 3 days. It might make you feel sleepy but it will help with the should pain and make swollowing easier. The first full day will be difficult since various parts of your body will be sore. Walk a little at a time. I tried getting it all in one dose and was miserable half way through. Drink slow or you will only cause yourself pain. Keep in mind your tastes will change. The protein shakes I thought were delicious only nauseated me after the surgery. Expect the grumbling in you stomach around day 3 to start and that it will be accompanied by a lot of gas and explosive bowel movements. I started to experience hunger pains around day 3 and 4. It was really frustrating because the clear liquid diet I was on did not help to satisfy the hunger. You will be able to tolerate the chewable mulitvitamins but hold off on any calcium or B-50 they request. Viactive makes calcium chews that will help and can be taken in the beginning but it will not kill you to wait until day 10 to begin this. Bariatric advantage makes B50 capsules that you can open and mix in your food but it makes them taste bitter. I suggest holding off on those until you can they say you can swollow whole pills.

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

The hospital is only 30 mintues away from my home. The drive gives you time to relax a little and after the sugery you won't even care about the distance.

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.

For days 1-5 the Golden Rule is: "If you can't see through it don't drink it." Clear protein shakes (2-3 per day), broth, melted sugar free jello, water (diluted crystal light is accepted), decaffeinated teas and sugar free popsiciles. For days 6-10: Full liquids Protein shakes (2-3) fat free milk (If you have an HEB buy Mootopia) creamed soups (Progressive soups are suggested but no noodles or rice) thin cream of wheat or cream of rice diet V-8 Splash For days 11-15: Mushy egg low-fat cottae cheese/part-skim ricotta cheese low-fat cheese/cheese sticks (shredded) pureed/mashed pinto beans/ black beans poached fish filets mashed with small amount of cooking liquid. Plain or light yogurt, blended small amounts of applesauce or mashed bananas for flavor. Days 16 and beyond: Begin making healthy food choices. Add one food at a time and heat high protein food first.

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

The day after I was already beginning to feel restless. I had by husband drive me to the mall and we walked around while I searched for something comfortable to wear. I was beat by the time we finished. It would normally take 30 minutes to complete this but that day took me at least an hour. I suggest not trying this unless you want to sleep the rest of the day.

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

I am now only sticking to my chewable multivitamin until day 10. I'm supposed to take that plus a dose of B50 complex plus 1500 mg of Calcium/VD per day. I tried to take Citrical but one 500 mg dose is 2 large pills. Crushing and swallowing them was like eating chalk and they do not disolve in food but simply sit at the bottom.

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?

Lap Band: The pain medicine gives you cotton mouth. It works wonders but it's something you have to live with for the fist couple of days. Your throat will be sore if they intubate you. If your sinuses drain you will then have a scratchy throat. I started feeling nauseous by day 2. I made it through the first day drinking my Nectar protein shakes but by dinner the next day I couldn't even think of it without feeling sick. Expect this and find an alternative. Isopure makes clear protein shakes that helped me but by day 5 even those were starting to loose their appeal. Plus the non-sugar will irritate your throat even more. My stomach began grumbling by day 3 as it started back up. I had a lot of gas (not from the surgery) and explosive bowel movements. You will have excruciating pain in your left shoulder (like a pinched nerve) (from the surgery gas) that will radiate up the left side of your neck. They say this is normal but some think it's from eating/drink too fast. I found that when I took my bra off it died down a lot but most often the only way to relieve it is to take the narcotic pain killer they gave you. Most of my incision pain was gone by day 3. The incision where my port is located is still the most painful but tolerable.

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

The hunger pains at day 3/4. They said it would take at least a week before I truly started feeling hungry but that day came sooner than I thought.

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

I don't have one yet but there are support groups 2 x's a month for my sugery.

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

My incisions are still fresh but they are healing well. They will be barely noticable when they are completely healed.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I've been frustrated, anxious but most of all very happy with the end result. I weigh in everyday (sometimes several times a day) and I've already dropped 10 pounds in 5 days. You can see it in my face and I can feel it in my joints. I haven't felt any pain in my feet recently.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I'm still treated the same as before but I haven't really be out an about yet. The truth will be seen when I begin job hunting in 1 1/2 months.