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

I'm in the health care field, but I think the first exposure I had was probably on TV. It caught my interest, and I think by the end of the hour long show, I had made my decision.

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

My surgeon's office staff took care of the approval letter, and I was approved after only one attempt! However, getting to that point was a disaster. I originally scheduled an appointment with a different surgeon. I waited months just to get an appointment date. When they finally called me to schedule, I was informed that my insurance would not cover hospital costs due to the particular hospitals that this surgeon worked in. If I wanted to stay with him, I would have to pay out of pocket.....approximately $45-$50,000!!(Sure no problem, I'll write you a check!) I then had to srart all over. My insurance company gave me a list of surgeons to call. I started at the top, only to find that most of them either didn't perform the surgey, or didn't accept my insurance. Until I finally found my surgeon.

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

It was very brief. I had more contact with the office staff. He was very "to the point", and didn't seem to want to spend much time with me.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Mostly my medical problems. I was 30 years old and taking almost 10 pills a day! I had tried alot of other ways, and always put my weight back on...and then some. I am a nurse, so I am very well aware of the medical risks associated with obesity. I didn't want to end up being a burden to my family because I had a stroke or heart attck at an early age.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I really didn't have a whole lot of options. My insurance would only cover the surgeon that I went to, and he only performs this one procedure.

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 was afraid of having something debilitating like a stroke. I wasn't very worried about things like infection, because that can be easily taken care of. I think I was a little scared of dying, but more afraid of having a severe complication that I would have to live with. To those having surgery....there are the same possible complications with any surgery, even the simplest ones. But this surgery will make the rest of your life much easier to live!

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 partner especially, was very nervous about me having this done. She was afraid of losing me, I think. A lot of my co-workers were also apprehensive. But that's mostly because I work in an emergency room, so the only contact they had with post-ops was not a good scenario. Post-op, everyone was great. My partner actually slept on a bench in my hospital room for a wwek, and didn't leave me. My friends were also very supportive.

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

My supervisors were very supportive. I explained the procedure, and they were very inquisitive about the procedure.

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

It was basically uneventful. Except for one incedent with a very rude nursing assistant, who I promptly kicked out of my room, and told him never to return!

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

I didn't 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?

I was more anxious than nervous. But talking with friends and co-workers helped that.

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

The first few nights home were the worst. All I wanted to do was go home and sleep in my own bed, but when I got there, I was unable to lay down. (I never realized how comfortable those hospital beds can be!) I spent the first few nights on the couch. After that, I was actually surprised by how I felt. I think I expected to feel much sicker than I actually did.

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

I traveled about 35 miles, so that wasn't a problem. But it is a pain in the butt going back for the 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.

I was supposed to stay on non-caloric liquids for 6 weeks post-op. But I cracked around week three. I have not had any vomiting this far. But anything that's not easily digested causes my nausea.So right now, I'm sticking to things like soup, crackers, and macaroni.

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

The first week or two, I was up and around in the house. I was able to do little things like dishes, but would need to rest a little afterward. I am now about 4 weeks post-op, and I am almost back to normal. I don't think I could handle working all day yet, but I can pretty much do mostly whatever I want right now.

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

I only take a chewable vitamin twice a day. But I haven't had any follow-up blood work done yet. So after I have my blood work done, I may need to start other supplements.

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?

I still have trouble sleeping. I am trying not to nap during the day so that I'm tired at bedtime. Sonetimes that helps, sometimes it doesn't. I haven't had ant vomiting, but I do get nauseated. I just try to avoid whatever food caused the nausea. I did have one episode of delayed dumping, but that wasn't a big deal.

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

I had a pretty significant amount of pain post-op. But the absolute worst thing I went through was trying to pass gas for the first time. I had a morphine pump for pain, nut when I started to get gas pains and cramping, I knew that I couldn't keep using the morphine because it would only slow down the whole process. I was so miserable. All I could do was walk. Thee nurses said that the doctor didn't like to give suppositories or anything like that, so I had no choice. The most important thing to do post-op is WALK!. Walk as much as you can, it will really help.

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

I am not involved in any support groups, but this website has helped tremendously. I have found a wealth of information. I also have a therapist that I've been seeing since Jabuary anyway, that also helps.

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

It's pretty large, from my sternum(breastbone), to my bellybutton. Most of it looks pretty good, but there are a few areas where the staples pulled, and it looks a little worse. I knew how big ther scar would be, but whatever. It's not like I have a closet full of bikinis!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am only 4 weeks post-op, so I haven't dealt with this yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet.