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

I have known about bariatric surgery for a while, since I am a nurse. My impressions were it was was very scary for me especially since you hear so many horror stories and my husband was set against it.

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

My insurance approved the surgery on my first attempt, My dr, wrote a letter of necessity and it took about 8 wks for them to get back to me, I started the process in July of 2004 and by the end of August had my date for surgery set. My advice to others is be patient and if you can't, then it doesn't hurt to call the insurance company and see where they are at with your approval.(which is a good idea even if you are patient, my insurance company approved the surgery but didn't tell me I needed a psych eval and dietician consult until 3 wks prior to my surgery, do you know how hard it is to see a pyschologist on such a short notice) lol

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

My first visit with my physician (one of one) was very infomative, he answered all my questions that I had and he was very straight forward about the pros & cons of the surgery. Listen carefully and if you don't understand or feel uncomfortable about something, ASK QUESTIONS!! because you won't know unless you ask.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I just felt like it was time for change, and I just couldn't let the weight keep me locked up inside anymore, My kids were growing up and there were things I hadn't got to do with them yet and there were things that I wanted to do for myself that I wasn't going to get to if something change.(plus the need for surgery arose due to my gallbladder needing to come out) So I thought I've wanted to have a gastric bypass for a while and going to have to have surgery anyways so I had them both done at the same time.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I went to a seminar about RNY and it just sounded like it was right for me

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 waited for yrs to have this surgery afraid of what might happen, Afraid of ending up with a colostomy or feeding tube for the rest of my life or even yet dying and not being there for my children. It is the one of the best things I have ever done. So for others who are thinking about having this surgery. Just remember there are risks in everything you do.(surgery, getting up and going to work everyday) and it is scary. But sometimes you reach a point in your life or I did where coming out of the cocoon and living again outweighs the risks/complications. Find someone to talk to about your fears, find a support group, they can help most have had the same fears you are having.

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 set against it, but after I told him that I felt like I was slowing dying inside I myself and I didn't feel like I had to many yrs left and that I had thought about it long and hard and and that I was going to do the surgery with or without his support. I think he was just scared, because through the process, surgery and vomiting, he was there 100%. When I told my sister and the kids they couldn't wait for me to have it done. No I wouldn't have changed a thing.

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

Everyone where I worked was thrilled for me to have the surgery, and I am so grateful for their support, I was off work for about a month

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

It was ok, I mean it was a hospital stay. My husband and sister stayed with me and the staff was really nice, had a private room, Hated the bed though, just seemed like I could get comfortable. I was there for 3 longggg days. Items to bring loose clothing to wear home and a pillow(to hold over your stomach and help with the bumps on the way home)

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

none

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

After I got my surgery date, I was thrilled but verrryy scared because I was about to do something that was going to change my life forever. I prayed alot, I talked alot with my family and friends who reassured me when I didn't think I could go through with it.

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

First few weeks, were strange and rough, trying to get used to the new diet restrictions. I had alot of fatigue.

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

I'm not sure how many miles I traveled but it takes about an hour to get to my surgeon which isn't bad I don't think. Really didn't effect my aftercare

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.

Sugar was a big no no and still is. Even the family benefits from this cause now I dont' even buy sugar. Sodas, was really hard considering that I drank alot of them, but again I quit buying them so the temptation was there. I couldn't tolerate pork, turkey or chicken(chicken was one of my main meats even before the surgery) but after awhile I did begin to tolerate chicken again, Thank goodness, I can do turkey but only in verrrry small quantities (bite or two) After a 1yr and 4 months I still can't eat pork.

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

It was low but as I gradually got up and around doing more things it increased but I still got tired easily and and still do

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

I take a multivitamin, a calcium vitamin and and an Iron pill.

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?

hairloss was bad, but I knew it would come back in time and given that I took in more protein but I think the vomiting was the worst part. I still have it but just not as often now.

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

The waiting.

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

It is very important to have one, you can share your stories, if you are having problems usually someone in your group has experienced the same problem or something similiar. So it is a good Idea to get into a support group and ideally to get in it prior to your surgery.

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

I have 9 little scars scattered around my stomach, I would have only had 6, but my gallbladder had to be stubborn so I earned 3 more laproscopic incision sites. And actually they are better than what I expected. Some have already faded and you can't even tell they were there.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have only had probably 3 plateaus since my surgery in 2004 it frustrating and I have to remind my self that I'm still losing inches even though the scale doesn't show it.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Actually I hate to say this but yes I do, I don't know if it is me and I just never noticed the way people treated me cause I was always to busy trying to hide. With some it is as if they have met me for the first time.(These are so called friends that I thought I had before)