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

I first heard about bariatric surgery in 1998. Back then it was only indicated for extremely obese people and it was not always covered by insurance. I was intrigued but skeptical. I could not believe that something as simple as cutting the stomach would be the miracle cure that I was looking for. It wasn't, as I learned today, but it was much more than I thought it would be.

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

Make sure that your doctor has an insurance approval plan in place. Your surgeon has the most experience in dealing with the companies, and many offer help through the long process. Also, double check your insurance requirements regarding a dietician and the visits. I ended up having to pay out of pocket for my dietician requirements because my policy had a lifetime cutoff on how many visits it would cover for a certain diagnosis. I would not have received the approval from my insurance company if my surgeon's staff had not helped me to jump through the hoops to get approved.

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

I was fortunate to have a surgeon who explained the different types of bariatric procedures. Knowing that there were different types with different results I came in with a list of questions. The most important question I asked (I think), was the complication rates for each surgery my doctor had encountered. He was very open and frank in this discussion, and I felt comfortable that he had encountered different types of complications and how he had addressed them. A doctor that does not like to discuss this is generally not someone I would trust. I also asked him how many of his patients had gained the weight back. I think this is important because while some surgeons offer post-op support, others don't. That post-Op support is the most crucial key to your success.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had hit the 300 pound mark. I was tired, starting to have obesity related troubles and realized there was no way I was ever going to get to a normal weight using diet and exercise alone. I was afraid that I would end up dead or disabled.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I spoke with my doctor and while he did not recommend one procedure over the other, he explained the pros and cons of each procedure. I had also done research on the FDA complications website to see how the devices had failed in others. For me, the Roux En Y made the most sense because of the way that I overate and the type of control I needed. I am a grazer, which means I would eat nonstop all day. The Roux En Y is effective for this type of binge eating, so I chose this 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 a pulmonary embolism; they are very common post-op and they kill quickly. Listen to your surgeon when he explains what you have to do and do it. The biggest risks this surgery has generally can come from patient non-compliance. Since the risks are high for obese people already. It is imperative that you do what your surgeon tells you to. I have had complications that are rare and potentially dangerous. When asked if these would prevent me from making the decision I made 2 years ago, I answer no with confidence. The complications I have are nothing compared to the health disaster that I was heading into.

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 husband was scared by supportive. He understood that it was a decision I needed to make for myself. My family's response was very different. I was told that I was taking the easy way out (I laugh at that one), and all I needed was a dose of will power. That opinion has changed now that I have lost all the weight. The opinions ranged from very supportive to very hostile.

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

My job was very supportive. I was honest about what I was doing and I was given up to 12 weeks medical leave (paid). I ended up being out of work for 6 weeks to recover. On my last day prior to the surgery, my boss surprised me with a going away party that included a very decadent torte. It was very sweet.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

I used the seminar to help choose a surgeon to do the procedure. It was great for me to meet the surgeons in the practice I had chosen, and I had an opportunity to speak to all the surgeons and select the one I felt most comfortable with. I also got the opportunity to speak to some patients who were 2-5 years in. This gave me the ability to see what life would look like in the future.

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

I was in the hospital for 3 days post-op. I shared a room with another bariatric patient. The most important thing that I brought was books and magazines to read. TV gets really boring after awhile and I felt the need to challenge my mind.

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

I have had multiple complications since my surgery. I have had 4 follow up procedures to repair hernias, adhesions and intessusceptions. The most important thing to do is to pay attention to your body and call your surgeon if you feel ANY pain. It is better to work with him or her because the ER is not going to know what's going on. There are very specific issues that bariatric patients encounter, and will be missed by most ER doctors. They can make you feel pretty stupid because generally they will not find the problem.

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 very sore the first few weeks. My feelings ranged from awe (I lost 50 pounds the first month) to depression (I couldn't eat Thanksgiving dinner). I am fortunate to have a very supportive husband and children so when I felt bad, I talked to them about it. They made sure I knew that I had made the right decision. Once I accepted that my life had changed dramatically and permanently, I started focusing on the positive aspects.

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

Pain and fatigue. I was very tired and sore the first month. I made myself get up and walk around because I was worried about embolisms and I knew it would help jumpstart my metabolism. Bowel Movements were the worst part for me: it was very painful to go and it took me a few days to get up and running. It is important to be patient with your body but also make sure you are moving.

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

I lived in New Jersey and my surgeon was about 40 miles from where I lived, as was the hospital. I had such a good relationship with my doctor that I had no problem getting to my post-op appointments.

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.

The first two weeks I had nothing but liquids. At two weeks i moved into a soft diet. My tolerance for food has changed; when I first started, eggs made me nauseous, now I can't live without them. I eventually moved into a normal diet, but have since had to revert back to a soft because of complications that I have had. I have never been able to tolerate high sugar items, items with too much fat, breads, nuts or chips. I still experience dumping syndrome when I eat anything with high fat or sugar, so I avoid those types of food.

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

I started walking the day of my surgery. I continued to walk as much as I could tolerate the days after as well. I continue to walk as much as possible, as I believe this helped my recovery and my weight loss.

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

I take the following: Multivitamin 1 per day Calcium with D: 2 per day Biotin: 1 per day Nexium: 2 per day Liquid Vitamin B12:Once per 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?

The worst side effect was and continues to be dumping syndrome. I am now 2 years post op and still experience it. It manage it by avoiding the foods that I know cause it. It is the single most miserable side effect in my opinion, but I look at it as a reminder that I can't eat the way I used to.

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

The complications I have experienced. I have had multiple surgerys to repair adhesions, hernias and intessusceptions. I have done research and now understand that these are rare, but it has been the worst part for me. The second worst is jumping through hoops to get my insurance to approve it.

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

I have used forums and support groups as well as my family. This is very important. I think the best support I have received has come from talking to potential bariatric patients about my journey. It helps me to realize what I have accomplished and prevents me from going down the wrong path again. I have a goal to stay at a normal weight for 5 years after my surgery. Too often people look at the surgery as the solution to weight loss; that leads to weight gain post op. It's important to remember that it's a tool and there are many lifestyle changes you must make to be truly successful.

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

I have 3 small holes in my stomach. It is better than I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I hit a plateau 6 months post-op that lasted 2 weeks. It was the worst 2 weeks of my life because I still had about 40 pounds to lose. I looked at my diet and realized that I wasn't eating enough protein. I upped my protein intake and the weight started coming off again. I got to 150 and have gained 13 pounds. I realize that my body is happier at this higher weight and I am ok with that.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I find that people no longer look through me. It is easier for me to be respected. People are more apt to listen to me and extend themselves to me. Most people don't realize I've had the surgery and are surprised when I tell them.