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

I am a nurse and I have known about it for a while. I was always afraid of the potential complications. Once a good friend had it done, and did well, I was sold on the idea.

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

I had no problems. It is not excluded from my policy, so it was only a matter of meeting the criteria and a letter from my surgeon.

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

My surgeon was very blunt, matter of fact, and laid it out for me at the first visit. I brought a list of questions with me, and was able to read from that list and jot down his answers. This helped me get the most out of the meeting.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My friend had no complications and was losing weight dramatically. I decided I couldn't stand by and watch her lose weight while I kept getting bigger. And I was distraught about my kids being ashamed of me.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon only performs open RNY's, and he gave me many good reasons why this was best for long term results.

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 mostly of open wounds, because this was the complication I had seen most often in my patients. I was afraid of dying and leaving my children, but realized if I stayed as fat as I was I could die and leave them anyway. I would tell other people that I had successful surgery without complications, but that there is an overall complication rate with gastric bypass as high as about 8%. I would tell people they must weigh the benefits with the risks carefully to make a decision.

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 family was afraid of something happening to me. My youngest son told me "It's OK Mommy, I love your fat!" My oldest was all for the surgery, and while my husband had reservations, he was in favor also. My siblings (skinny, all of them!) were the least informed and therefore had the most objections. Frankly, their opinions did not play a part in my decision making. My mother was frightened for me. My father, a lifelong obese person, was behind me all the way.

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

I have the greatest boss in the world! My friend and I both work in the same department, and our boss was very supportive. She helped us schedule the time off, was concerned about our recovery and being strong enough to return to work, and has supported us all the way. She still tells us how happy she is we are both successful!

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

I was in Fair Oaks Hospital in Fairfax for 3 days. They were great. I had big sized gowns, a trapeze over the bed to pull myself up, and (best of all) plastic wrapped packages of steaming hot, wet washcloths to clean up with whenever I wanted them! (Real cloth, not paper!) I was glad I brought my own sanitary pads as my period started from the stress of surgery, and my own toiletries. I also brought big, comfortable underpants to wear that wouldn't rub on my incision. I was well prepared for what to bring by my doctor's office, and and the care I received was wonderful.

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

NONE! I was so lucky, so blessed, and I am so grateful.

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 nervous, but I was so excited to begin a new life, to have hope for a cure for my disease of obesity, that I did not have too much anxiety.

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

My husband took the first week off to take care of me. He and my kids were great about helping me, doing chores around the house, and taking little walks with me. I had difficulty eating much of anything, and had a few experiences with food getting "stuck" in my chest (or so it felt like.) I had several bouts of gas pains, but my husband or kids would help me out of bed and get me to walk, which is the best cure for gas. I was exhausted, but I couldn't get comfortable in bed. I found that a pillow under my belly when I laid on my side was the most comfortable, and restful, position.

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

Only about an hour and a half. The weekly and biweekly and then monthly post op visits are a pain, because I travel for 3 hours for a 20 to 30 min appointment. Not bad though.

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.

One weird thing is that anything I ate in the first month post op makes me gag now. This includes scrambled eggs, peaches, saltines, hard cheese, and peanut butter. Rice, pasta, and bread are still basically off limits. They fill my stomach and feel like they expand in there. I like cottage cheese and reduced fat wheat thins best. I also like hummus, sushi (smoked salmon only... no raw fish!) and salad. I am totally turned off by red meat. I love fish, but it made me vomit in my first months post op. I am changing every day. Today chicken may go down fine, tomorrow it may upset my stomach or feel as though it is "stuck." The rule is to take it easy, take it slow, every day. Don't get brave! Follow the rules!!

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

I was sluggish at first but it increased dramatically! I exhausted easily, but the drive was there to get moving. Now I have more energy than I have had in years and I love it!

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

I take B-12 injections once monthly, and a multivitamin once daily. I take calcium chews from time to time, and stopped taking iron because my levels were high and I am not anemic.

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 have vomited a total of 5 times since surgery, and none in the last three months. Once my belly stopped hurting, I had no sleep problems. My hair fell out in clumps from about month three until late in month six. I ultimately cut it short and layered... and dyed it blonde!!

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

The immediate post op period. The nasogastric tube, the painful incision, getting used to my new eating schedule. It has really been smooth sailing for me ever since.

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

I am not a real big support group kind of person. I went to some local meetings, spent a lot of time on the Website, and my doctor's office does intense follow up. I am satisfied with that.

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

It is down the middle of my belly, about 6 inches long, and right now kind of wide (1/4") and thick and dark pink. It rubs on my clothes sometimes. It does not bother me. It was well worth it, and is pretty much what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had two plateaus lasting about two weeks each. Otherwise my weight loss has been steady. Increasing water intake breaks plateaus.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES! Men hold doors for me, smile at me. Clerks in stores engage me in conversation. I get invited more places by my friends. Most importantly, my kids don't mind being seen with me!