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

I found out about this surgery from my sister in law who is a nurse at a local hospital she introduced me to the idea. At first I thought to myself shes crazy there is no way I will ever let some Dr. cut my stomach open. I had never had surgery before and did not plan to start now. I heard it was risky and that it should be considered a last resort after you had tried everything else, well, I had tried everything else.

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

When I called for my first appointment they asked about my insurance and said that they accepted it. At my second visit they called my insurance company and called me the next day and said that I had been approved. I never had a ounce of trouble, the office submitted everything and the only thing I ended up paying was my deductible.

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

If you have already decided to have the surgery when you go for your first visit be prepared you should already have a good idea of every aspect of the surgery. If you did your homework. My big concern was that the surgeon I had choosen was young and new so I wanted to know how many surgeries she had preformed. This office did not take me seriously and I was not happy with that. I was given a list of steps to complete befor I could make a second appointment with the physician. I completed all the steps but when I called the office they did not have any record of me attending a manditory seminar, my meeting with the dietician or the social worker I was really upset I felt the office was totally unorganized and quite unprofessional with a lot of attitudes. I almost did not go back.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

In the last 3 years I have had some medical problems: Diabetes II, hypertension, early sleep apnea, high cholesterol. I thought whats going to be next how many pills will I have to take if I dont do something now. I wanted to see my son grow up, I wanted to live.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My physician only did RNY open, and thats what I wanted, I wanted her to have plenty of room to do what she needed to do and 3 weeks before surgery I found out that I had gall stones. I didnt want lap band because I heard that the band could slip or move or become larger and it would have to be adjusted alot and some people had weight gain because it wasent tight enough. If I was going to have this surgery it was going to be the right was as far as I was concerned.

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?

Yes I had fears the biggest one was dying. But then I thoughy at 338 pounds I was going to die either way but with the surgery at least I had a chance and a good one. I didnt want to leave my son that was the hardest thing. I prayed and asked others to pray for me. If we didnt have these fears we wouldnt be human. I had never had surgery before and what if I didnt wake up from the anesthesia (sp).

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?

The most support I had was from my sister in law, we did the whole thing together from our meeting with the physician, our pre op testing, meetings, and we even had our surgery on the same day that was the most and best support. My family had mixed feelings but the more I talked they really started to listen they knew I wasent jumping into this and knew the risks and did my homework. I think some family dont really realize when I say my pouch is 2 oz they just can grasp it. Sometimes I cant either.

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

I had quit my job prior to surgery.

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

My stay in the hospital was about what I expected. There were some awsome nurses and some that weren't that good. My stay was 4 days. I brought nighgowns to change into every day but never used anything I brought not even my underware because of the foley being in I was in a hospital gown all day and that was fine with me. BRING A FAN THAT WAS THE MOST INPORTANT THING!!!!!!

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

i did not have any 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?

In the weeks after surgery especially up to 4 weeks I felt very tired and took a nap every day but that passed after 1 month. Most of my anxiety was about what foods to eat what foods to try I certainly did not want to experience dumping. I took it slow.

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

As far as I remember I didnt do much took meds, they all had to be crushed,sipped water, showered (I needed some help the first few days I was home.) You wont believe how time comsuming these things are. I took very short walks 2-4 times a day, rested. It was very hard to lay in bed so I slept in the recliner for about 1 week. I guess I was moving in slow motion for the first week. I didnt have much pain but it was hard to get comfortable to fall asleep I'm a side sleeper. You really start to feel better every day its important to walk even a little everyday.

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

I traveled from Preston, CT to New Haven, CT its about 60 miles each way. Right now its not bad because I'm not working but I plan to be back to work soon and I see a problem ahead when I wont be able to go to a morning appointment. The whole trip including seeing the Dr. takes about 3 to 3 1/2 hours. I have a young son in school and my husband works 2nd shift. We will have to see what happens.

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.

When I started on solids about week 3-4 the only thing I could not tolerate was beef I had meatballs and meatloaf I thought it would be soft enough and go right down but it got stuck (very uncomfortable). basically I can eat most anything within reason chicken, eggs, soup, popcorn, pasta, fruit, I even had a salad yesterday for the first time I only ate a little because they say to wait several months but I did'nt have any problems. I try something new every week I just take it slow I will try hamburg again sometime.

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

In the first few days and the first 2 weeks I was tired activity was minimal but my walks outside hepled at my 1 week visit I asked my surgeon if I could walk on my treadmill and she said yes. Soon after I up to a mile a day and now 6 weeks out Im walking almost 2 miles a day.

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

Every day I take vitamins, B-12 tablet, 2 tums for calcium

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?

Sleep disturbance was the only thing that I experienced I would sleep for a few hours and then wake up, it was a little better every day and after 1 week I was sleeping in my own bed. After 3 weeks I could sleep on my side and now I can sleep and way I want.

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

I thing the NG tube was definately the worst thing but now I barely remember it.

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

I attend a support group in CT it was a very good support group to me at first but then things changed, I was 71/2 months out and the people at the group were still deciding if to have the surgery some had just had the surgery and I needed more! I needed people who were where I was and further along. I dont attend the meetings anymore.

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

I am fine with the scar it is about 9 inches long and its smoothed out alot. I had never had surgery before so I didnt know what to expect. All I know know is how greatful I am to have had the surgery because it has certainly changed my life.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have not really had any plateaus maybe I am at one right now but I have already lost 145 lbs so I dont consider it a plateau I thing I just slowed down on my weight loss I have never had a month or more that a week without a weightloss. I exercize every day and I know that has helped my weight loss tremendously.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, people know I'm alive now, I get a second look but more than that I feel different about people I know I am the same person inside but I was treated different for the way I looked outside.