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

My nutritionist told me about it. My first impression was that maybe there was a chance for me after all.

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

Lost paperwork. Keep after them. Fight for yourself.

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

I had already made up my mind before I even knew the details of the surgery, but I acted like I would think it over. Dr. Cason gave me a very informative packet to read that told the details of the surgery, and what would happen afterwards. Research this surgery. Make a list of questions you might have. As he/she answers them, check them off.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I couldn't go through another steriod treatment for my crohn's.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted to make sure that I had no chance of ever getting as big as I was before the surgery.

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 had fear of infection. Your fears are valid, discuss them with your doctor.. if he doesn't have the time to reassure you, he's not the surgeon for you.

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?

Family was supportive. I didn't tell friends of the ins and outs of the surgery. Family not as supportive afterwards.

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

Didn't tell employer exactly what type of surgery I was going to have. I was out of work for 3 weeks.

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

My stay was ok. Some nurses were good.. one nurse was really bad. You don't really need anything. Everything was provided for me.

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

I developed a yeast infection as a result of the antibiotics. I also developed a stricture about about the 6 week mark. Also, developed allergy to percodan and cipro. B12 deficieincy.

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 quit smoking as soon as I scheduled a date so it's hard to tell exactly where all my anxiety came from.

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

Very tired. Could hardly walk up the flight of stairs to the second floor of my townhouse. It took every ounce of strength I had to take a shower and blow dry my hair. It took me about 2 hours to do all that. I didn't have any problems with the food I was able to eat right after the surgery. Was driving at the 2 week mark.

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

Surgery was 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.

Ate a lot of apple sauce and drank a lot of fat free milk in the first few weeks after coming home. WAs able to eat a couple of bites of various meats but had to chew thoroughly and slowly. Mostly mushy foods at first. Slowly added other foods like pasta, cooked veggies. Was not able to eat anything with sugar in it until about the 5 month- mark. Now at 6 months.. eat most anything I want. Still a few things I can't digest like potato skins and some cheese. Still don't eat bread.

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

Activity was low in the first days and weeks following surgery. Picked up at around the 4 month mark, but still had some problems that weren't necessarily surgery related.

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

daily multi-vitamin. monthly B12 injections.

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?

vomiting and hair loss. Vomiting still goes on because 1) my eyes are still bigger than my stomach and 2) the reflux gets to where it just causes the food to come right back up. I started taking folic acid and using all kinds of stuff on my hair for the hair loss.

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

The first three weeks. Especially those first few days with the NG tube in. I wondered what the hell I had done to myself.

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

Most on-line support. I have received a tremendous amount of support from my bariatric/family physician though. Without her, I am not sure I could be this strong.

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

Scar is big and long and doesn't bother me in the least.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

No plateaus as of yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really.