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

Internet research after hearing about Carney Wilson and Al Roker. During the research phase, I learned that a friend at church had just had the surgery, so I began to follow her progress. It didn't take watching many pounds fall off her body to convince me. I went to her surgeon - we only have 2 surgeons in town who do WLS - and have never looked back.

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

This site provides excellent information about how insurers handle WLS in each state. I had two insurers and was approved by both within 4 days of submittal. My surgeon had me fill out a comprehensive questionnaire and attach pertinent medical records, documentation of my weight for the last 5 years, etc. What I didn't have, I obtained from various of my other doctors. Once I completed the questionnaire and supplied the necessary documentation, there was nothing left to question.

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

Do you research before meeting with your surgeon the first time. Be prepared with lots of questions. Have your list of questions out so that as he answers certain questions before you need to ask them (which they often do), you won't have to waste his time asking them again.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Seeing my friend at church lose weight and become a new person.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon only does Lap RNY. After researching the procedures, that's the one I wanted anyway.

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 went into surgery without fear. So did my husband. I had every confidence in my surgeon and just felt I would do well.

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?

Extremely supportive. In fact, my husband has spoken to our support group from the perspective of the spouse/family member/loved one.

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

Considering I had only been on the job 6 weeks when I told them, they were quite supportive. I told them I had been researching it for 6 months and that I needed to do this for my health. I had surgery on Wednesday, and was back to work full-time a week from Monday (8 working days out of work).

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

2 days - uneventful

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

None

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 did not experience any anxiety - only impatience at getting it over with.

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

I lived in my recliner for the first week (including sleeping). I never used pain meds after coming home from the hospital. The staples were the most uncomfortable, especially in the bra area.

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

15 miles

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 strictly followed my nutritionists food plan (liquid, pureed) and then at 5 weeks I had to travel to attend my mother's funeral and was forced to eat some regular table food. I was counselled to go for the soft foods - eggs, tuna, chicken, fish - and chew everything until it was pureed in my mouth. I never had a problem with anything I ate on that trip, and have had relatively few problems with food since. I found that I can't tolerate soy products (makes me nauseas even now), but I can tolerate milk and have since day 1. I am 8-1/2 months post-op, and just had beef yesterday for the 1st time. I had grilled flank steak for lunch, then beef brisket for dinner (I'm visiting my son in California so I'm not in charge of what we're eating). I had very small portions and had no difficulty with either cut of meat. I have never vomited any food, but I have what I call mini-dumping if I eat something my pouch can't tolerate. It consists of severe lower abdominal cramping, followed by a bowel movement. This usually lasts between 1/2 hour and 1 hour. I can tolerate some sweets, as long as they aren't too sweet. For instance, last night I had a small piece of an apple cake that had no frosting. I think it depends on how concentrated the sugar is. I think if I ate something really sweet I would dump, but I've never tried. For instance, I can eat graham crackers or animal crackers, but once I tried a few vanilla wafers, and got naseaus. Vanilla wafers have a higher sugar content.

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

I walk, and work out at Curves 3 times a week.

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

I take two chewable multi's, 1000 mg vitamin c, and 1200 mg calcium daily. I also do a protein shake in the morning as my breakfast, which contains 30 mg protein.

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 nausea the first week was pretty bad, but I only vomitted once the day I got home from the hospital, and we think that was dried blood from the surgery. I haven't had any hair loss. I experience a sort of mini-dumping if I eat something my pouch doesn't like (like anything containing soy, concentrated sweets, etc.)

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

Not having wine. I drink a half glass occasionally now, but didn't have any at all for 6 months.

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

My surgeon has a support group that meets monthly, which I lead. It is probably the single most important thing you can do as a post-op or a pre-op. We have become quite a cohesive group, and have even decided to meet weekly with an eating disorder counselor (who was our speaker at last months meeting) for group counseling. Those who are 8-9 months or more post-op are starting to get concerned about old eating issues resurfacing, and we want to deal with those issues now before they become a problem.

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

I have 5 tiny scars from the LAP RNY. I don't bare my midrift so they don't bother me.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Based on the true definition of a plateau (2+ weeks with no weightloss), I have never plateaued.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Absolutely! Mostly, I don't stand out in a group. I'm treated normally, and taken seriously. I've become much more assertive, since I feel that I'm entitled to be listened to now.