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

I found out about bariatric surgery when the hospital I work for began a bariatric surgery program. At first the idea of surgery scared me and seemed extreme, then it began to intrigue me. When I saw individuals coming in for surgery, and their successes, I began to want surgery for myself.

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

Getting insurance approval was pure Hell! They wanted 6 months physician supervised dieting/lifestyle change for the 6 months prior to surgery. It didn't matter how many times I had completed 6 months physician supervised dieting, it had to be for the 6 months prior to surgery--which is ridiculous. I advise persistance...be relentless.

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

The first visit with my surgeon was encouraging. He said that I was a good candidate for surgery and that he would work with me to gain insurance approval. I believe that anyone wanting wls should thoroughly research surgery before their first meeting with the surgeon. That way they can ask informed questions and gain the most helpful information.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Research and visiting with others who had the surgery.

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

Being an inpatient is not fun. I was there 2 days, and felt like crap the whole time. I wanted to go home, to my own bed and be able to rest. My back was killing me...the morphine did not seem to give me much relief. The most important thing to take to the hospital with you is some type of lip gloss. Use the mouth swabs the hospital provides, they help with the dry mouth.

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

No complications.

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 my gall bladder out at the same time, so it took me a few weeks to recover. Was back at work after 2 weeks. At week #4 I mostly felt back to normal....energy level was back to normal too. I was mentally hungry, and it helped to eat a bite or 2 of whatever I craved. It let me know that I was not denied my favorite foods, but could only eat a small amount of them. I was okay with the small portions. I really didn't have any anxieties. I learned to eat more slowly and to beware of breads. I had to be careful with bread because it would get stuck in my stoma and I would be in pain for hours.

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

The first week was no fun. I had diarrhea pretty bad, which inflammed my hemarroids (sp?). That was the worst of it. My incisions did not hurt much. My back did hurt quite a bit. The pain meds made me feel real tense, so I stopped taking them and suffered through it. The second week was better. I went back to work part-time after two weeks, and full time the third week. You really see lots of food commercials on TV during the day. They made me really want some solid food, so I would advise staying away from TV for awhile. Read a book or watch videos instead.

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

I traveled 7 miles to have surgery. It was great that the hospital and the doc's office were so close.

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 could eat about whatever I wanted--very small amounts of course. It was difficult trying to stick with a liquid diet for the first couple of weeks. After one year, sugar still gives me diarrhea and ice cream makes my tummy hurt. But I've tried them occassionally anyway (testing the limits). I've had no problem with meats, but have to be careful with bread, I don't eat much of it, but have to be sure I chew it well before swallowing. I had Lap RNY...the bread has clogged my stoma 3 or 4 times. Gives me a sharp pain right behind my belly button. I can eat about 3/4 to one cup of food now--which is mentally satisfying. That is to say, I feel like I actually have had a meal, but have not overeaten.

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

I walked around the house for the first couple of weeks, then would walk longer and longer over time. After about 4 weeks I was up to walking 40 minutes during my lunch hour and had achieved my pre-op energy level. I still exercise at least 5 times per week.

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

I take a daily multi-vitamin liquid, 1500-2000 mgs of calcium citrate (I have osteopenia), glucosamine (for the joints). Every other day I take an iron tablet with a vitamin C tablet. I also drink at least one protein supplement (30 gms protein) per day. My lab work has been normal so far.

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 only experienced nausia a couple of times since surgery. No vomiting. I didn't sleep well for the first couple of months. I didn't experience much dumping. I did lose about half of my hair, but it's coming back in now. My side effects were not bad at all, I had no problems with coping.

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

The actual recovery from surgery was the worst part.

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

I attended the surgeon's support group and also one that a friend and I started online. The online group has beeen the most helpful. We meet once a month face-to-face. I believe a support group is very important and helpful.

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

I have 7 little (one inch or less) scars around the abdomenal area. They are what I expected. Most of them are almost invisible.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I lost steadily for the first several months. One month I would lose quite a bit, then the next month lose only a few pounds. In my 11th month I did not lose at all. I am nearly at goal, so am losing only a couple of pounds a month now.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, people do treat me differently. I don't know if it is due to my different outlook and actions, or to discrimination on the part of others.