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

I first found out about bariatric surgery from a friend who was scheduled to have it done. My first impression was fear. I was glad for her, but it wasn't for me...at that time. In the back of my mind I remembered having heard about bariatric surgery, and what I heard wasn't good, nor was it accurate.

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

My doctor wrote a letter to Blue Cross for approval. In less than 2 weeks I received my approval letter. I was approved without question.

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

My doctor went through the entire procedure with me to be sure I understood the pros and cons of this surgery, and to be sure I was prepared for the changes that lay ahead. I wrote down some questions I had for him. He answered them all. I feel I went into his office well prepared. I knew what to expect from the surgery and from the doctor. For the most part I didn't learn anything new. He was very nice and I know he could tell I was ready.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I decided to have the surgery because I've tried everything else unsuccessfully. Having a friend who recently went through the surgery and is doing very well helped me make my decision.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided to go with Open RNY because I've done some research, and this one seems to have the highest success rate.

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 fears about this surgery ran high early on. I think my biggest concern was whether or not I'd be successful after surgery. After a life time of failed attempts at dieting, and a major one at that, I didn't want this to be another failed attempt. I worried about remembering to take my vitamins so my bones wouldn't become brittle and crack or break. I thought about dying. I'm too young to die.(: I asked the doctor about it, and he said most patients who die have other complications before the surgery like diabetes, high blood pressure, things like that. I'm in overall good health at this point and my hope is that the surgery will help me stay that way.

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 was very shocked at the amount of support I had. I truly expected to have much more opposition. I'm preop, so I can't say how supportive they will be after surgery.

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

I'm a stay at home mom, so I don't have an employer.

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

My stay was much easier than I expected it to be. I was in and out in 5 days. I found a back scratcher to be like gold. The epidural caused me to itch like crazy.

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

The only complication I experienced was being very itchy for a few days. My back was completely numb the first 2 days, but once I mentioned it to the nurse they explained that the medication was set too high and would need to be lowered. Afterwards I was fine.

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 had an exceptionally easy time. I think having had other surgeries(C-sections, gall bladder, hernia repair, etc.) made it much easier; I knew what to expect. Having someone to talk to who's been through it is a plus.

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

I live approximately 20 miles from the hospital.

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 on a soft food diet when I arrived home 5 days post op. I couldn't handle the taste of the baby food, so I opted for real foods. I was given permission to eat soft boiled eggs, refried beans, the filling and tomato sauce from stuffed shells, cottage cheese, cream of wheat, anything soft. My stomach couldn't handle the milk-based protein drinks. I find now, 3 months post op, that I still can't tolerate milk very well, so I mostly avoid it. Before surgery I could tolerate milk products with no problem. In the beginning, I found even drinking water was somewhat difficult. It would go down, but after the first few sips it seemed I had air bubbles forcing the water back up. It was frustrating, but it got better after the first month. I no longer suffer from that. I occasionally have trouble with solid foods, usually because I forget and inhale my food. When that occurs, I have to start over and eat slower.

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

The first two weeks my activity level was low. I basically sat around and only moved when I had too. I wasn't as sore as I was very tired. After the first two weeks I became more active.

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

In the morning I take one iron tablet, Ferrous Fumerate110 mgs; one B-12 500 mcg; Around noon I take 2 chewable multivitamins equivalent to Centrum and one 500 mg. Calcium Citrate. I finish out the day with 3 more Calcium Citrates spaced three hours apart for a total of 2000 mgs a 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?

I had an almost perfect recovery. I am losing some hair, but I have plenty to spare, so I'm not too worried about it.

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

If I have to choose something, I guess it would be the fact that I needed to learn to eat slower to prevent the food from coming back up. The presurgery gitters was probably the worst, the not knowing, and the uncertainties. I'm glad I pushed my way through them.

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

I am part of an Internet group provided by my doctor. The site is available to his patients. Anytime a question is sent to the site, everyone on the list receives it. That keeps me in touch with questions I may not have thought to ask as well as being able to receive answers to questions I may have. Also, I attend a monthly support group meeting, which I find helpful. It keeps me up to date on the latest available information. My doctor provides the latest information to the group as he discovers it. He also attends the monthly meetings.

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

Well, it is what I expected, but it's not what I hoped for. I do have a tendency to have keloid scars. Mine is very raised.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I reached my first plateau one month after surgery. I was surprised, but chalked it up to having started my diet 2 months before the surgery. Therefore, my first plateau was 3 months after I began dieting. My weight stayed the same for about 2 weeks. After which I lost 5 pounds. I weigh in weekly.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I tend to get a lot of attention from people who know I've had the surgery. It's all-positive and I enjoy every minute of if. I didn't pay much attention to people's reactions before the surgery. I do, however, find people to be more curtious.