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

I found out about bariatric surgery several years ago when I saw a commercial for Bariatric Treatment Centers and got the information from them. However, I was on Social Security and Medicare was my primary insurance, so they wouldn't accept me. It took another 6 years before I found someone who would work with me and accept what insurance I had.

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

I was fortunate to have gone to a hospital and surgeon that are knowledgeable and did all the contacting of insurance for me. Since I have Medicare, they told me that they do the surgery first and then contact Medicare for approval. That's the way it worked, too. I had surgery about 2 1/2 mos after I first contacted the hospital's wls coordinator.

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

I had to go to wls classes for 4 wks before I had my first visit with the surgeon (per his requirement). I was quite well informed at that point as I had also purchased a book called "Weight loss surgery-Finding the thin person hiding inside you!" by Barbara Thompson. When I met with the surgeon, I had many questions to ask about his procedure, whether I would still have my gallbladder when I woke up and what I could expect when the surgery was complete, how long recuperation would be, how often I would see him post-op, etc. It was helpful to write the questions down before hand and it gave me more control over what was going on. I think that the more information you can get before surgery, the easier it is to do what you need to after the surgery. Remember, surgery is only a tool and it's up to you to get the best use out of that tool.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I knew as soon as I talked to the wls coordinator at the hospital and got the first informational packet that I had to have the surgery. I wanted my life back and this was the only way I could see to get it back.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The lucky thing for me was that open RNY was the only surgery available at the time being done at the hospital I chose. One of the surgeons was currently on active duty in Iraq so that meant no Lap surgery could be done. I honestly was so thrilled that I was going to have the surgery, I didn't care how they did it as long as I got it.

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 knew about all the complications that could happen, even death, and also knew that I wasn't concerned about it because I felt I had nothing to lose but everything to gain by having the surgery. I also have a strong belief in God (or whatever higher power you believe in) and I felt that whatever happens, happens for a reason.

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?

I am blessed with a wonderful family and church community. No one really tried to discourage me, even though there were some who were not as enthusiastic as I was. My family was very concerned that I might not make it through the surgery, which was a legitimate concern. It is statistically proven that obese people have a higher risk of complications and death for any surgery not just bariatric surgery. After the surgery, I heard more "horror stories" about the surgery than I did before I had the surgery. My response is that I am sorry for the ones that had a hard time, but I am a success and now they can use my story to balance the "horror story" mentality. My family has for the most part been very supportive after the surgery.

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

I have been on long-term disability from my place of employment for 8 years. No one that I worked with has yet to see me.

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

I was given a list of things to bring to the hospital before I had surgery. I had a "Buddy Bear" which helped when I need to get up or cough, lip balm which really helped my dry lips, I used a device that helped me wipe my bottom (I purchased it at the pharmacy long before I had surgery as I could no longer reach to wipe myself) so that I wouldn't have to bother the nurses (a long handled wooden spoon can also be used, just wrap toilet paper around the handle). I was hospitalized for 5 days, initally I had diarrhea so bad that I didn't want to leave my room (I had been on a liquid diet for a week prior to surgery and am lactose intolerant) but a couple of days out I was walking the halls like a pro. Bariatric nurses are probably the most kind and considerate of all nurses, the ones that I had contact with were fabulous.

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

The only complication that I had was the drain tube that was left in the abdomen clogged about 9 days out and I called the surgeon and they explained how to get it working again. A few days later, I went to the surgeon's office to have the staples removed and he took the drain out at the same time. I have had a few(very few)times that I have eaten too fast or took too big a bite and had pain between my breasts. I have been fortunate that it passed without having to contact the surgeon. It is very important to chew until baby food consistency and not to take that last bite.

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 on cloud nine, ten and eleven!!! Everytime I felt nervous or anxious I just looked at my "wish list" of things I couldn't do but wanted to be able to do after the surgery.

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

When I got home from the hospital, I tried to walk as much as I could. I had no hunger and so it was a trial to remember to drink my protien drinks and suck on popsicles besides get in all the water that I needed to. There was a drain tube that I had to contend with (YUCK!!) and I was still wearing a binder (thank God!) that made it uncomfortable to move, but it was a lifesaver. I was sore from surgery so I wasn't moving even as fast as I did before surgery. I still used my "Buddy Bear" to get up and cough with. It was a blessing to sleep with so that it was near when I wanted to move. I was given a breathing device to use before I went to the hospital, so I was having to use that every couple of hours. When I went to the surgeon to have the drain tube and staples removed I wasn't feeling very well and felt worse/better after the drain and staples were out. I still wore the binder and was using my cane to walk and seemed like I was never going to stop taking the pain medication but about 3 weeks out I was so much better. I stopped using my cane, still had some pain but could stop using the pain meds, I was feeling better than I had in years. The one thing I would like to impress upon you is that you are having MAJOR surgery. Be good to yourself, don't push yourself and keep a positive attitude. This too shall pass.

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

I live about 85 miles from the hospital and surgeon. The only effect that it had to travel that far is, that my family could only come one time to see me while I was in the hospital. However, that may have been a blessing in disguise as it gave me time to recuperate without a lot of people popping in and out all the time. Like a mini vacation. I had someone waiting on me hand and foot as it were and I was free to walk whenever I wanted to, or rest when I needed to. After care until I could drive myself, consisted of my daughter driving me to my appointment which got her away from the house for a few hours (she babysits so we had to make sure we had enough time to return home before the parent's got off work). I have never missed a dr's appointment nor have I missed more than one support group meeting.

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.

Food. My favorite subject. Since the surgery 5 1/2 mos ago, I have found that food has taken on a new role in my life. I am not a SLAVE to food any longer. I have the power to take it or leave it. FREEDOM what a glorious word... Any thing that you eat or drink from now on is low-fat, sugar free, non carbonated and decafinated. The use of straws to drink from and all 'POP' is off limits. Of course, the second day post-op is really when you start to have meals again. Actually, you are on a clear liquid diet: Jello, popsicles, broth, diluted fruit juice and water, water, water. Clear liquid diet for the first 7-10 days, depending on how you tolerate them. Next comes full liquid diet; liquids that you can't see through. If you're not lactose intolerant (and you may become after surgery) as I am, you can have protein shakes made with skim milk and low fat milk powder along with the protein powder. Plus, you get sorbet with protein powder added and puddings. Now you can have Crystal Light and Kool-Aid drinks to add to your other liquids. This diet lasts for @ 2 weeks. Now you are ready for pureed foods. These are foods that you puree in a blender or food processor and then strain to make sure there are no chunks in them, such as cottage cheese, soups, ground meats and vegetables. Anything that you can blend works as long as it is baby food consistency. You will remain on this diet for 2 weeks or longer depending on your surgeon and how well you are doing. We now come to soft foods. This is any food that has no hard pieces. If it's crunchy, don't try it. Soft foods are: canned chicken or tuna (in water), hard cheese, shredded cheese, cottage cheese, cooked cereal (high protein by adding powdered milk or protein powder), cooked vegetables, jello, ground meat, eggs or egg substitute, mashed potatoes (with protein powder or powdered milk added), cream soups, yogurt, pudding, and anything that you puree as before. Keep a food journal so that if something doesn't agree with you, you can jot down how it effected you and then try it later. It is also a good idea not to try beef for 6 mos-1 year post-op, especially stringy beef as it is too hard for your pouch to handle and may even get caught in the stoma between the pouch and intestine. Not a pretty sight. Soft food diet lasts the longest, about a month depending again on how you do. Finally we get to the regular food.... This is what you will stay on the rest of your life. Here's where you are in charge of your own destiny. You still have to chew your food until it's baby food consistency. Get used to it. You still have to eat slowly... It takes 20 minutes for your brain (silly thing) to realize that you are full. Take 30-45 minutes to eat. Be Continental... use the time to socialize. You don't have to rush.... linger, enjoy!!! Continue to eat 6 small meals instead of 3 big ones. Sure you can eat more at one time now, but continuing to eat smaller more frequent meals keeps your blood sugar and enery levels where you want them to be. Remember to stop drinking 30 minutes before you eat and to wait 30 minutes after you eat before drinking. No use to fill up on water first so you have no room for food or to push what you have just eaten through your pouch too quickly. Don't want to "dump" or anything do ya? As long as I have followed this schedule and kept my appointments with the surgeon, I have not had any trouble with food. However, squash, ribs (pork or beef), stringy meat, and apples don't agree with me. I drink lactose free milk so that I can still have high protein shakes and applesauce in place of apples. I have found that if at any time I feel queasy, nauseous, headachy, or weak, it's because I have forgotten to eat; which is so easy to do when you get busy and your tummy doesn't remind you to eat, and if I have some protein; cheese or peanut butter, the feeling goes away. I also continue to eat what I did at the start: broth, tea, jello, and popsicles anytime I have "bruised" my pouch by eating something that doesn't agree with me.

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

When I first got home from the hospital, I didn't want to do much as it was particularly uncomfortable to move, lie down, sit, stand or much of anything. It seemed to take a lot out of me just breathing. I started to notice that I was more active around the 3rd week post op. Things just got better and better after that.

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

I take Flintstones Complete Chewable Vitamins with Iron and Calcium 2xs a day. I find that they give me enough of what I need. I also got Centrum Liquid but I can't stand the taste and breaking up the Citrical Calcium tabs was a pain. I also have FlexAble brand Glucosamine and Chondroitin Chewable sugar free tablets with Vitamin C for the arthritis when it flares up. They are very citrusy flavored and the tablets are huge but they work. I purchased a couple of bottles of Isopure liquid protein. They come in diffrent fruit flavors and have 40 grams of protein per 20 oz bottle. Some people like them, however, I found that it made the back of my throat dry. The taste wasn't bad.

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 worst side effect that I noticed was hair loss. It started in the 4th month and has now started to taper off. I will soon be 6 months post op and they said that it would only last a couple of months. I was taking a lot of meds up until a couple of months ago, so I'm not sure if that had anything to do with it either. I have always had some hair loss, but it got noticeably worse a couple of months ago.

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

Having the drainage tubes in my abdomen. It didn't bother me when they put them in as I was under, but it sure did bother me when he took them out.

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

I have a support group that is run by the hospital I had surgery in. It is @ 85 miles from home so I try to have my appointment with my surgeon on the same days, however that doesn't always work out. I am in the process of starting a support group for bariatric surgery in my own community as there is none here. I believe that it is very important because you need to be around others who have or will be going through the same things. It's a great place for information and comraderie.

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

The scar is quite huge. I expected it to be a long scar as it starts just under my sternum and stops at my navel. However, It is about 1/2 in wide down to about 4 ins from the top. Still quite red and angry looking. I suppose I should get some vitamin E to put on it and that may help.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

It seems that the more I lose the more plateaus I have. It started about 4 months out. I lost about 75#s and wouldn't go any farthur. Then about 2 weeks later I lost 5#s and that started it going again until about a week ago when I lost down to 100#s and now it's doing it again. I have noticed that the more I exercise the better I lose.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Only to say that I have turned into a whole different person. I laugh and have a great big smile on my face most of the time. When I'm asked how I'm doing I reply that I'm wonderful. I was kidding some friends at church that they won't want me around because I'm always saying "more, more" when they tell me how good I look.