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

I'm a nurse and my initial impression after having a patient die inthe nursing home I worked in 14 years ago after a wls, was I would never do that to myself.

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

Have your history of weight loss attempts and complications written with as much detail as possible. I didn't have a lot of trouble getting approved by my secondary insurance, but my primary insurance was a pos, and Dr. gaskin was not in the group. I was never denied however. I had to get referrals from my pcp to Dr. Gaskin after I was approved and a date set (someone at bcbs of Tn. dropped the ball.)

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

My first visit was great, have any questions written down to make the most of your visit.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I felt I had no other choice, I could not stand living at this weight and feeling the way I did any longer. I also have 4 beautiful children and did not want them to grow up being obese.I was tired of being in pain most of the time, (left arch falling, knee and hip pain) Also I felt the surgery was much safer than it was 15 years ago.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I researched everything i could find, also attended the New Start Programs seminar (asked many questions) I decided the open rny was appropriate for me because I had a huge hernia (actually 2 once the dr. got in there.) that needed immediate repair.

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?

The only fear I had was anesthesia, I was terrified of not waking up. The anesthesiologist was great, also I did alot of praying before surgery.Talk to your doctors about any fears you have.

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 expressed concern, but very few have been negative. My mom was wonderful, and my husband was very supportive afterwards.

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

The staff @ SouthPointe Hospital in St. Louis are very courteous and professional. I felt I was well taken care of. My husband had to leave the day of my surgery, (we live 4 hrs away, and since my mother-in-law bailed out of watching our kids during my hospital stay, he had to go home.) and I wasn't too nervous about being alone. The nurses were quick to see to my needs.

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

I found it difficult to tolerate many foods at first, lots of nausea. It is still difficult for me to eat within 3-4 hours after I awake. About the 2nd week post-op, I was exhausted and just wanted to sleep all the time. I have 2 large incisions (1 rny, and 1 from hernia repair) the rny incision has been slow to heal and still after 6 weeks has a tiny tunneling area that I clean twice a day and wear a small dressing.

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

With the open rny, expect to be tired and sore. Take any help you can get. If you can before surgery take the time to cook and freeze meals for your family. The first week home it takes almost everything you have in you to take care of yourself.

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

It is 4 hours from my home to St. Louis. I stayed for 2 weeks with my mother who lives 1 1/2 hrs, away, so I could be closer for post-op appts. (along with all 4 of my kids, poor Mom. SouthPointe offers support groups but I am unable to attend since they are so far away.

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 had so much trouble getting in enough fluids the first few weeks that I concentrated on those most of the time. I have trouble with bread,milk, and beef. Beef is getting easier to tolerate though. For the first week I was on full liquids, and then on pureed foods for 2 weeks. My first solid food was grilled fish (couldn't wait for this) ate it too quick and it came up. I find that at 6 weeks post-op I can eat what everyone else is eating only in tiny amts. I did polish off a whole crunchy taco, was really surprised-man it was good. crunchy foods go down easiest (crackers,bagel chips,baked tortilla chips). I was really surprised that I can no longer tolerate eggs anymore, loved them before, now they make me nauseous.

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

I thought I would bounce back quickly because I've had 3 c-sections and they were no big deal.WRONG!!! I go back to work tomorrow after 6 weeks and I hope I can muster enough energy for the day. It's getting much better, the more exercise I get the better I feel.

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

I take 2 multivitamins with iron, 4 tums, and I'm supposed to drink carnation sf instant b'fast 4oz four times a day. I've gotten out of the habit of drinking the protein shakes though and just try to eat all the protein I can, very few vegetables in my diet.

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've had no dumping, but I'm kind of scared to eat sweets, the nausea and vomiting persist- not all the time only if I take that one bite too many or if a food disagrees with me.

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

The worrying about what could happen during the surgery. I wasn't concerned about the pain because I knew it could be managed and I felt prepared for the after-effects of the surgery.

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

I am a client of the New Start program (St. Louis- SouthPointe hospital)- however since I live so far from St. Louis, I do not currently participate in a support group.

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

I have 2 scars, since I had the rny and a hernia repair at the same time, my rny scar is about 6 inches long and is healing well at this point, except for one tiny area.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

no plateaus as of yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

my husband and kids are very supportive, I have a sister who insists on telling me every horror story she hears.Also several people I know who are slightly overweight are constantly telling me about their diets and how much weight they've lost. I try not to bore people with details of my journey who don't know anything about it. Some people are curious though and if they ask me I'll tell them. A friend of my sister asked me how big my bowel movements were now!!! Too funny.