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

A friend had the surgery 17 years ago, it didn't work. I have known of 4 other's who have had the surgery, but it didn't work either. Then I found out the different types of surgery and felt better. They had all had the stapling only. The staples were breached and they gained all their weight back, plus more.

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

I didn't have any difficulty at all. It's just time consuming, I had to have approval from my Primary physician, then approval from insurance for consultation for surgery, then approval for surgery. But it all came through in a very timely manner with no complications.

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

Write all your questions down, don't expect to remember what they are, because when you get there and start talking your questions go right out of your head.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The fact that I couldn't walk and had gained 50 lb the past year. I knew it was getting to the point where I wouldn't be walking at all if I didn't get the weight off and fast. I was becoming extremely unhealthy.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

By researching. I talked to people and researched on the internet, read articles in magazines and newspapers and watched TV shows concering bariatric surgery. Then I listened to my surgeon.

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?

My biggest fear was going under the anesthesia. I'm afraid I can't comfort anyone. I would have the same fear if I had to go tomorrow again. I never feared the surgery itself. I had total confidence in my surgeon. I did wonder about complications afterwards (nausea and vomiting especially) I have learned when I do exactly as I'm supposed to do, I don't have those problems. It's when I deviate that I run into complications. When I do exactly what I'm supposed to do I get along great. No nausea, no vomiting, no dumping, no diarrhea.

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?

My mother was dead set against the surgery, mainly because it's a major surgery and it's elective. She didn't like that, but she is very supportive now. Most of my friends were against me having the surgery, but they are okay with it now, I think it was a matter of education. My sister is scheduled in July for her surgery, and my brother is going through the Insurance process right now. My other sister's are both very supportive of all of our efforts. My mother will be just as supportive of my siblings once their surgeries are behind them also.

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

My Supervisor was okay with my decision, kind of shocked, but okay. I just told her I was having the bariatric surgery. Then had to educate her a little bit about it. I was off work 6 weeks.

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 actually a very good experience. I didn't feel like a lot of visitors the first 2 days, but because the hospital is so far away from my hometown, it wasn't a problem. I was in the hospital 4 days. I was given a small pillow made of flannel by a support group, that was the best thing ever. I could hold that against my stomach when I coughed, or had to move. Since they were constantly checking my incision and such, I stayed in the hospital gowns. It was easier then my own jammies. The only other personal items I used from home were my toothbrush and toothpaste and hair brush, and of course clean underwear. A book to read came in handy a couple of times. (I'm not much of a TV watcher)

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

I had a small area on my incision that was infected. It went away after the staples were removed. I just kept it covered so nothing could continue to irritate it and kept the site clean. No major complications of any kind.

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 was extremely happy that I didn't have to wait months to have my surgery. My surgery date was 4 weeks after my insurance approval. I really didn't have any anxiety about the surgery. Just about being put to sleep. I just didn't think about that part of it. I tried to focus on the after.

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

The first 2 weeks I couldn't lay flat. I had my staples in still. After they were removed, I could move better. I still couldn't do all the things they said not to do, bending, lifting, sweeping (no housework!). It limits you but there are ways to get things done. I was extremely tired the first week, but after I quit taking my pain pills that went away. The more I moved the better I felt.I started walking by the end of the first week home. I started by walking a block, then increased it daily. I now walk (after 6 wk) approximately 1 to 2 miles a day. The biggest adjustment is eating. Spend the time at home experiencing this. Learn different ways to fix what you can have, because the first 6-8 weeks is extremely limiting.

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

Approximately 75 miles. It doesn't affect my aftercare, I just have to make sure I schedule things with plenty of extra time.

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.

For breakfast I have a poached egg. Now I can have some toast, I usually eat about 1/4 of the egg and about 1/4 to 1/2 piece of toast. I can not tolerate milk. I talked to several people and about half could and the other half couldn't, only one way to find out. I drank a cup with my protein drink. I was sick all day. I use the nonfat powdered milk now. No problem! I eat a lot of soups, (cream of), ground chicken, ground turkey makes me nauseated. I eat everything sugarfree. Popsicles, frozen confection bars, I try to keep my deserts, sugarfree and fat free. I tried the ice cream bars, sugar free of course, but I couldn't eat a whole one, so I didn't get those again. The popsicles are all those half ones. I can have strawberries, watermelon, mashed potatoes, and baked potatoes. The biggest adjustment is eating at home, and devising ways to not eat the same thing day in and day out. I'm learning. It's a big switch from McDonald's.

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

The first week I didn't do much of anything. I did start walking toward the end of the first week home, after that I increased my walking daily. I also have a sheet of exercises to be done daily. There are 2 exercises a day, they are designed to work on parts that didn't affect your surgical area, arms and legs especially.

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

I take protein supplements, Multivitamin, B12, and Calcium daily.

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?

The sleep disturbance I had was because I couldn't lay flat until the staples were removed, since then I have had no problems. No dumping, hair loss. The nausea and vomiting were caused by certain foods. I stay away from those foods. I did have hair loss about 3-4 months out, but that has stopped now. It lasted about 5 months. Not major amounts, but still enough to notice in the drain.

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

Being put to sleep and getting out of bed for the first time after surgery.

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

I go to the support group meetings with my sister through St. Vincent. I think they are extremely important, you can learn that you are not the only one to have concerns and questions. They might have your answers. I now go to an independent support group in Logansport. It's very informal, but getting larger every month. It's a great tool and should be used by everyone. Support of some king is essential.

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

My scar is extremely large. No I didn't expect it to be that big, but it's something I can live with.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Well, my surgery was only 6 wks ago, so I haven't had any plateau's yet. I am now on a plateau. I have lost 150 lb, but haven't lost any in the last couple months. I'm okay with that. I will have to work on it if I want to lose more. I'm within 15 lb of my actual goal set by the Dr. so I have decided, I'm okay with this plateau. I can live with this!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet. I'm sure it will come with time, everyone else seems to say they are treated extremely differently. Yes, unfortunately people do treat me differently. I say unfortunately, because you don't notice the difference when your 'big'. But strangers will actually talk to me now, and initiate the conversation. My close friends haven't changed at all, but acquaintances have changed in attitude.