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

AS a nurse, I had known of different procedures used over the years and some of the disasters from intestinal bypass surgery which isn't even performed anymore. Then, I saw a TV special on Carnie Wilson having this surgery, and also a special on Dr. Fobi, and decided to investigate this surgery. I have spent 10 months of investigating to get to the point I am now, 8 days away from surgery.

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

Check out all you can about the surgeon you choose. Check web sites for comments from patients that have used her/him, check the state medical licensing board in the state you live in. When you find a surgeon, then do your part and collect as much data from old medical records, receipts or progress charts from programs you have used in your attempts to lose, and any letters from physicians you have used over your lifetime that would be willing to outline their dealings with you in these attempts and medical problems that they treated you for that are pertinent will help. Then see if faxing the records will put you in a priority status.

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

Wonderful. I knew I had the right surgeon from the first visit.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I didn't have a choice, I knew I would have the open RNY.

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 did fear dying, but my faith is what kept me and led me through. I had to take potassium 2 days before surgery and it made me so sick that we thought I might have to reschedule, and that was impossible because my insurance was changing in 2 days to one that didn't cover the surgery, so despite any fears I had, I was anxious to go with it and we did, and it was the potassium and I did fine.

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?

THey were thrilled and very supportive.

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

I had been off work from an injury, but they couldn't believe the change.

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

I was in for 4 days and had to go back in on the day I came out for a 12 hour stay as I thought I'd pulled the incision apart trying to get off the bed by myself. I was in severe pain and had to have morphine and valium to get relief. Once the pain stopped, I was fine and went home the next day. Unfortunately, the hospital I stayed at was not the best experience I had ever encountered. The staff was either understaffed, or just didn't care, for I and others on the floor had to wait literally hours sometimes to get help just to go to the bathroom. One little elderly lady had to wait so long she couldn't hold it any longer and wet the bed. I got up to go see what the hold up was and there was an RN sitting outside the door, too full of their importance to get up and assist. As an RN myself, that infuriated me! So, I can't say a lot of good about this hospital which is very unfortunate.

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

Only the pain from trying to get up by myself at the motel that led to a 12 hour stay back in the hospital for pain control.

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

It was only 2 weeks, I was still greiving the loss of my grandfather just a week before, so I didn't have time to be too anxious. I was fearful some, and then with the reaction to the potassium, I was afraid that I wasn't going to be able to have the surgery.

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

I had to sleep in a recliner for 2 weeks. This really aggravated my back injury but there was no other way. I usually like to sleep on my stomach and obviously that was impossible. Six weeks later, I was finally able to lay on my stomach for a little while and it felt so good. Your energy level is definitely decreased, and is to be expected. You may not be hungry and the main thing is to drink the water, to stay hydrated. You'll live if you don't eat, but you must have the water to stay hydrated and well.

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

3 hours, I had to go back a week later for the staples to be removed. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, I drove there and back with no problems.

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.

Bread. And some beef just wouldn't stay down. Milk, I definitely can not handle the milk, not even with Lactaid, it definitely throws me into dumping syndrome. I can handle other dairy products, but not milk, sadly, for I used to love a glass of cold milk!

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

Very low.It was very hard to do the walking that I needed to do. I had no energy as my body adjusted to losing the weight.

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

Prenatal vitamin with iron, and calcium. I also take a vitamin for hair nutrition, and vitamin E, glucosamine condroitin for joint health, and thiamine to help with back pain.

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?

At first I did have a lot of n/v as I got used to the change. Hair loss has been a problem, but thankfully I have a lot and it isn't noticeable, though I still have some, it has tapered off.

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

Just that it was painful and the nursing staff at the hospital did not follow the doctors orders and increase the morphine PCA pump as he ordered, so I had a lot of pain that was not controlled as it should have been. Plus as I stated earlier, the fact that they did not come and assist to the bathroom for hours.

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

Since I lived 3 hours away, I didn't have the availability of a support group. OA didn't work, for they looked upon the surgery as the "easy way out". I thought yeah, you have the surgery that feels like they cut your guts with a chain saw and see how easy you think it is!

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

Yes, I wear it proudly.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am at a plateau right now. I've lost 225lbs, since surgery which was 2 years ago today, and still am losing.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Absolutely!