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

I was first told about it by a co worker who had had the surgery done. She was doing great. I didn't really look into it until this past year when a co worker told me about her husband's surgery and how well he had done. I was impressed and started looking into it for myself

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

I was very fortunate, my insurance company dealt directly with the doctor's office. I was approved in 2 weeks.

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

He was wonderful. My husband and I watched a video and visited with Dr. Otteman and his nurse Becki. They were very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. Have a list of questions, no matter how insignificant you might think they are. Even the small things are important.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My dad had his first stroke at age 42. I am 43. I don't want my family and myself to have to go through what we went through when I was 9. I want to be able to enjoy my kids and my grandkids and spend time in the mountains.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr. Otteman only does the open procedures now.

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 think I probably went through all the emotions and fears that are known to man. The waiting between the consultation and the surgery was the worst. I changed my mind about a million times and then changed them back. I had arranged for someone to raise my son if something happened to me. I talked with my family alot about what I wanted if anything did happen. I think that was probably the wisest thing I did. I wanted to make sure that they understood how important it was for me to be around to be with them.

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?

At first my husband was a little apprehensive. As a nurse also, he had taken care of patients who had the surgery 10 years ago in Canada. He was concerned but understood why I wanted to do this and that my co-morbidities were just getting worse without it.

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

They were fairly supportive. Some moreso than others. I just told them that I had surgery scheduled and what the dates were. I had missed a great deal of work due to my co-morbidity problems and I think they realize that this was going to benefit them as well as me.

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

My hospital stay was not great. I don't like being in the hospital anyway. PVH is a wonderful hospital. I worked there myself in the ICU for a while and my husband still works there. I was impressed with the knowlege of the nurses and their empathy. If they didn't know the answer, they found it for me. I was there for 4 days. Make sure you bring your own pillows. Anything that will make you more comfortable. I had a hard enough time getting comfortable even with my own pillows. Without them I would have been even more miserable. Make sure you bring some good sturdy shoes to walk in. I wear orthotics in my shoes and when I tried walking in slippers my feet were miserable.

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

I had a good bit of pain at first but that has gotten a bit better. At day 7 I had incision problems. The incision opened up the same day that my staples came out. So I had to do dressing changes several times a day. I am much better now.

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

Like I said, after my surgery was scheduled I went through every emotion and fear there was. This surgery doesn't end when you go home. It is just beginning. I just took things one day at a time. That's all I could do. That and PRAY ALOT. My faith has seen me through.

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

My first few weeks have been like a roller coaster. I have gone through almost every emotion imaginable. I am having trouble trying to add new foods and have vomited with a good many of them. It is getting better though.

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

Fortunately my surgeon and the hospital are here in town.

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 week was entirely full liquids, soups, carnation instant breakfast, juices. At 2 wks was able to add soft things like mashed potatoes, oatmeal(with milk), applesauce, etc. Now at 4 weeks I am still experimenting with new foods. Meat is not easy, especially if it is dry. I have to mix it with mayo or ranch dressing to make it of a consistency that I can tolerate. Eggs are strange. Some days I can eat them fine and then the next day it will come right back up. The hardest thing for me to do is retrain myself to eat SLOWLY. I don't think I am hungry but I do crave food ALOT. I've been told it is just head hunger, don't know. My doctor said I could start on things like watermelon but it gives me gas. Everything still has to be VERY soft and moist.

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

I have been walking several times a day since I got home. I go further every few days. Today I finally rode my bicycle. It felt great. I can now go for short walks in the mountains without feeling winded.

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

I take 2 Flintstones chewables, 1 sublingual B-12, 3 Viactives, and 3 zinc tablets a day (when I can get them all in and down). I drink carnation instant breakfast with added powdered milk or protein powder at least once a day, sometimes more.

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?

My worst side effects have been vomiting, pain, and the incision problems. I try to eat slower, the pain is controlled now by tylenol and the incision is just about closed.

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

learning to retrain my brain

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

My surgeon has a monthly support group meeting. It is very important and very helpful.

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

It is about 8 inches long and wider in the middle because of the opening up that it did. It was about what I expected.