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

I don't remember my first initial introduction/reaction to Bariatric surgery. Over the years I knew several people who had it and I realized it may be my only answer.

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

AWFUL. It took me over 3 years to finally get to surgery. I called it jumping through hoops for the ins. company. Please hang in there...it's worth the wait!

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

I had all my questions written down. I had researched well the procedure I wanted so I understood the surgeon when we discussed the process.I was so excited because it had taken me so long!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had failed on my own. I needed help and felt this tool t be my answer. My M.D. agreed. I developed type II dibetes and so many other weight related problems. I needed help.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After discussing with my surgeon between lap-band or roux n y, he thought I would have better success with open rny due to my distance from the facility . With lap-band, I would have to travel several times for "fills" and he said people from my distance have a hard time making them especially in winter ( had my surgery Nov.3)

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 didn't really have any fears. I knew I would die without the surgery. I was facing more complications with my health deteriorating than from surgery. Research so you know what to expect, ask questions . Think possitive! Pray.

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?

Positively. My husband helped alot and my best friend was with me for surgery and the next 5 days. I didn't tell any people in my community I was having surgery... in case I failed. Which I won't.!

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

I don't work outside the home. It took me a good 3-4 weeks before I felt good. I could feel myself get better every day.

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

ICU was a nightmare as I had a lousy nurse. I was only walked once in 10 hours even when I asked. Once i was taken off oxygen, nose tube removed, and catheter removed I was much better. Once I got to my own room the rest of the stay was good.I was 200 miles from my home so I took pictures of my kids and made a poster "Why this is worth it" to hang in my room

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

I had open roux n y. The only thing I had "go wrong" was my incision started draining at the very bottom. This happened 2 weeks post-op. I put a couple new sterie strips on and made sure I didn't twist etc and pop it off. After a couple days it had healed shut. Whew!

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 so excited! I had waited for over 3 years for "my turn"! I got my kids (ages 5 and 6)excited about Mommy getting better so we could do things together.

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

The fact that I had to grinds up my meds and eat them was bad. They were so bitter and nasty, I quit taking them. I had withdrawls from my anxiety Rx.I was such a bear! After 2-3 weeks I was better. I was frustrated at what seemed such a limited choice for pureed meals I lost interest in eating. I didn't lose any weight either! You've got to have the protein,starch and fruit/veg. Don't forget to walk and excercise.

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

I had to go 200 mi. My husband and best friend helped me until I was able to do things on my own.(clean house etc.) My follow-up app'ts were at 9 am so I left home at 4:30am ( giving extra time for bad roads etc) and I came right home afterward to be homw when the boys got off the school bus at 4pm.

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.

Up to 6 weeks following surgery, I couldn't tolerate sweet powder drinks. Sugar has been off limits. Don't eat corn! It comes out the way it goes in!!Weeks 4-8; Taco meat mixed with refried beans on tortilla, ground chili, steamed fish, scrambled egg with potatoes became mainstay but did the trick! I ate my first lettuce salad tonight after 3 months. It was so good and well tolerated!

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

In the hospital;walking several times a day. Each time gets better. Walk, walk, walk. Really hard to get excercise in when it's 10 degrees outside. Pop in a dvd of walking fitness and workout with that as tolerated. At 8 weeks post-op I excercise 20-30 min a day. If it was warmer outside, I'd get more.

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

Flintstone chewable complete. I will be starting B12 supp. this week.

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?

Dumping. I'm 8 weeks out and still have it if I eat sweet food. That's a good thing as far as I'm concerned. Keeps me on track!

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

Fighting the insurance and the wait. Well, then after the surgery when I had to "eat" my pills! Yuck!!

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

I have a good friend who went through all this 2 years ago and she had been there for me the whole time. She understands what I feel and what I'm going through emotionally and physically. My husband and kids are really supportive and excited about Mom being able to do things with them.

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

I call it my ugly. It's deep pink 1/8-1/4" and runs from right below my breast bone to right above my navle. Then I have a penny size pink scar to the left where my g-tube was. No surprises. At 8 weeks out, it still itches like crazy.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

At weeks 3-5 I lost interest of my pureed "meals" and didn't eat as directed by my nutritionist. You have to get your protein WITH starch and veg/fruit to make your body burn fat. Once I started eating right again, the weight melted right off!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. Even my family. There's more affection shown. But,that may be because now I feel okay about people touching me and I'm hugging them. I've noticed little kids don't stare any more.