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

I first heard of it thu my cousin, who had the surgery about 1.5 yrs ago. I was mortified that she would ever do that ( I knew of the surgery, but of no one that had had it) How could anyone let this be the last resort?

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

I did not have any problem with my insurance...approval came within 2 weeks..

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

My meeting with my surgeon was great..the had an entire staff of nutritionists, psychologists, etc..so everything was done at once..and you also got your tentative date at that time..Office staff was and is still wonderful!..

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My wanting to live the rest of my life as a healthy person...not wanting to miss out on the rest of my life

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

well...one day I felt I could live no longer in the body I was in. I had high blood pressure, my joints ached constantly, and my daughter did not have a mon that she could do everything with. I also was losing all interest in doing things with my hubby.

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 am afraid of anethesia,, not pain. I felt that if it was my time, so be it. but I do know that I could not live like I was, and it was a risk I was willing to take...You must look at your own life and decide what your willing to live with, I was not willing to live in a MO body any longer.

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?

Everyone was supportive.

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

n/a

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

I stayed in the hospital for 5 days. I asked for a private room and none was available, which was fine. I had a great roomie thank god. The hospital I was at , Newton-Wellesley Hospital In Wellesley, MA..was incredible..The staff, from houskeeping to my surgeon was just incredible..They did go out of their way to make your stay pleasant..I cannot say good enough things about them. Most of the things I thought were important, were not..My list would now contain: toothbrush and paste, warm socks, undies, (if you are still having your cycle, bring something just in case, I was not due for 2 weeks and on the second day after surgery it started) a bathrobe, but even this was not necesary as you can wear two johnnies.They had oversized onces there, so whatever your comfotable in. hair brush, etc. phone list , chap-stick (you will be very dry) maybe a book or magazine, (not heavy reading, you will not care, LOL) and your pillow, at least for the ride home for bumps

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

second day I developed low blood pressure 80/60 and low urine output and fever. I knew from previous work experience in the hospital (Radiology Tech) that the most improtant thing I could now do was to get up and walk...The pushed more IV fuids and I gained 30 lbs in 2 days...I also developed pneumonia in right upper lung...eventually this resloved itself (most) I was slightly depressed over this, but also talking with nursing staff and phycisian really helped. 10/18/01 after the 3rd week, my stoma closed and ended up having 7 dilatations...finally after several months I feel that I am finally getting back on track...

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

well I originally made an appt to see my surgeon for March 21, 2001, and at that point they were booking surgery 4-6 weeks after initial consult. My date moved up to Feb, 28th and they book surgery for August 21, ..Now that was disapointing to say the least.Om June 18th I happened to be thinking well August is going to be here ASAP..so it it going fast..then got a call that afternoon asking If i would like to move surgery date to next week June 25th!!! No time now for nerves..lol

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

The first 2 weeks were the hardest..and I think that the first week especially, you need some help (I had an open RNY) I have always been very physical and did work out on a semi-regular basis, so I think that also helped a bit...Sleeping was the worse..I am aa side sleeper and was not able to do that for about 3 weeks. I also had 'jittery legs' from the anesthesia (they think) which made it difficult to sleep for the first week...(I became very sleep deprived) but got over it soon afterward..

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

the hospital is only 15 minutes away so it was not a problem at all..

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 4 weeks was pureed diet..(cottage cheese, jello, puddings, anything mushy an soft...carnation instant breakfast (which I still use) becasue of the stoma problems I had, I have just begun to eat more/different types of foods..I do not tolerate meats well or eggs (am I am at almost 4 months)

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

the first week was the most difficult, I had gained 25 lbs of fluid in the hospital, so it made it difficult to walk, sleep, etc. It subsequently got easier everyday. I was able to get out after my staples were removed. It was a great feeling.

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

I take a sub-lingual B-12, a multi-vitamin with iron and viactive chews (2 times per day)

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?

well...I had closing of my stoma and had to have it dialated 7 times..that was the worse for me. I vomited daily, several times. This lasted over a period of 3 months, and was disheartening, but I got thru it. I had sleep problems the first week, and restless leg syndrom,,which drove me nuts. The hair loss started at 4 months and stopped about month 7. I really do not dump, (maybe slightly if I have too much sugar)Other than that, I did great.

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

I think the pain the first two weeks of surgery.

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

I come to this site, everyday...It has been a godsend..All the people here willing to help, listen, or just realte to what we all go through..Also NWH has a wonderful support group 2 times per month that have differnt speakers from WLS patients, to plastic surgeons, we have a clothes swap...Also there is NewEngland roup for OSSG patients which I belong to as well...Beautiful people....

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

my scar is about 6" long beautifuly done....I only saw my cousins, after a severe infection it ran from her pubic bone to her Xyphoid Process.....yuk

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

only 9 days pot-op, but I am sure I will be there too....then I will be rading your answers for help...lol (update 9 months later) I have had several plateaus, this last one lasting about 8 weeks or so. but eventually it does come of, albeit slowly

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

absolutely! People smile more at me. I was always very out-going anyway, but I do notice a difference, men holding doors open for me, etc.