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

I heard about Carnie Wilson and thought it was crazy. Then I started to do some research but gave up thinking I would not be able to get medicare to pay for it. Then my Mom mentioned it and I decided to look into seeing a doctor. At first I had some serious reservations, but as I was able to speak to people and through my research I became more comfortable with it.

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

I have Medicare and QMB medicare pays for most of it and then QMB picks up the copay and deductibles.

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

It was very business like and to the point...he asked me which surgery I was interested in and I told him the RNY and he began to explain it to me. I told him I knew all about it, but had a few questions about his experience and his knowledge of his patients well being after surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My weight had gotten so out of hand I could barely walk around my house...I knew it was time to take my life back. I felt like I was no longer living my life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I didnt want the band because I knew I needed a more solid change...it seems like the band is to easy to overcome.

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?

There is always a chance of death from major surgery, but there is also a big chance of death when you weigh as much as I do. At least with the surgery I am giving myself a fighting chance. I would tell others if they have truly exhausted all other options, and they truly believe this is the only way they can regain there life, then go for it. But make sure they understand there are risks both during and after surgery, so be prepared.

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?

They were all very encouraging and still are. My best friend was very encouraging before surgery up until the week before, and then she got scared and started trying to communicate with me how she was so worried about me, I couldnt spend time with her because I had to keep myself in the right frame of mind. My family has been very supportive and always will be thank God. The same friend is now wailing about how she hopes I will be able to eat chicken and cornbread with her again and she doesnt see how I can do it not being able to eat so many things, and then I tell her food is not my life, living life is what I want now!

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

I am disabled.

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

It was very good! I had difficulties due to my asthma and sleep apnea, but the nursing staff was awesome as were the residents who assisted my doctor. I was at the hospital 5 days due to the breathing complications. I would say a robe and slippers that are not at all slipper, make sure they have a good rubber sole and when you walk in them they let you walk steady. You will not need a gown as a hospital gown is the best choice, as they will be looking at your abdomen a lot. Bring your usual toiletries, however I will say I did not feel good enough to even watch tv or read, so its up to you wether or not to bring a book, if you normally use a walker or cane..be sure and bring it.

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

I had some breathing problems due to sleep apnea and asthma, and was watched round the clock and I had to stay awake almost the whole time. That was the only difficulty I really had and I hated it, I was so exhausted, but other than that it was a good experience as far as hospital staff and care they gave.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

The first couple of weeks were terrible, I was so swollen there was no way to get comfortable, and everything I had to drink for nutrition just tasted so terrible because I assume of the yeast infection I had developed in my mouth due to the antibiotics. I was able to handle the anxiety pretty well, I would sometimes cry, usually when I had let my blood sugar get to low and needed to drink a protein shake. The best thing I had done for myself I think was to make up my mind that I was going to be okay after the surgery. I just refused to have any regrets and told myself that I was going to be fine...after all I just had major surgery and anyone who had would not be feeling 100% right away.

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

Well as I said before I was very swollen for at least two weeks and it was very uncomfortable, I had to have someone help me in the bathroom and in the shower, the swelling was probably completely gone after about 5 or six weeks. Constipation was an issue for me and I think most patients do deal with this problem. I was nauseated a lot, but never threw up. Most people I have talk to do throw up frequently. I also have trouble with milk and you have to drink protein shakes made with milk and so that was hard to do, I tried the lactaid milk but that was making me feel worse, so I dont know what the answer would be except trying soy milk. I did better on skim regular milk.

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

21/2 hours, I dont allow it to affect my after care, I have an excellent support base in my family and they always take me to my appointments. The only difference is I do go to support group meetings here in my town, with an okay from my surgeon to do so. I know they are important because my surgeon said the success rate for people who attend the support meetings is a lot higher than for those who dont.

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.

Well, during the first three weeks you really only drink protien shakes, a little juice and since I cant stand sweetnlow and other artificial sweeteners, I drank water. The colder the better. At about 2 1/2 weeks I started eating a little thin mashed potato or a little thin cream of wheat. At three weeks I started eating scrambled egg whites about twice a week I would eat one, and I also ate Campbells vegetarian ABC soup. That was wonderful because all the vegetables are very soft so I just made sure they were chewed up really well. I am now two months post op and can eat almost anything, I find that white meat chicken is usually too dry, no matter how I cook it, but dark me is okay, I can do some hamburger, as long as I am slow as christmas about eating it. I do zuchini and potatos, green beans and spinach. I have found that I cant tolerate much cheese, although every now and then I will have cheese and crackers, (1 or 2) Deli meat is usually okay, like lean turkey or ham. I notice that every day I feel better and have less trouble with eating food.

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

I walked around my house the first two weeks with a walker, after that I started walking outside, and then I started having pain caused by my incision healing and had to stop walking as much as it would double me over in pain, thats pretty much gone, but it is still sore but now I am walking again and getting out of the house more and more! And loving every minute of it!

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

I was taking Flinstones Childrens Chewable complete two a day, but they have really begun to make me feel sick, so I was told about Centrum Chewables for adults and that is what I take now. I also take Bluebonnet liquid Calcium orange flavor, which is good, thank goodness and you can find it in most health food stores.

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?

Okay, I didnt experience any vomitting but I had nausea every night it seemed like, for about three weeks. Then that stopped and became ocassional, thank goodness, I dont have any sleep disturbance, in fact I have never slept better, I sleep all night long, where before surgery I could not sleep more than a few hours. I am only 8 weeks post op and have not experienced the hair loss, I understand that usually occurs around 4 months, I am doing research now to stop that from happening.

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

The fact that I could not sleep while in the hospital due to my sleep apnea causing my oxygen to slip down to 23, and the terrible uncomfortable feeling after I got home. But now at only 8 weeks I feel wonderful most of the time!

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

I have follow up appointments with my surgeon, and attend support group meetings once a month as well as participate in an online support group. I cannot stress enough that it is vital! VITAL!!!! I know I could not have made it without this site and the awesome people willing to share of themselves and their experiences in such a honest and forthright way!

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

I had open RNY and it is pretty ugly, Yes and no, I knew in my head I was having open but I guess it didnt occur to me that it would be so ugly, it reminds me of a train track going down the middle of me. I do know that it will fade in time as it is still in active healing. Some days it is very pale and other days it gets very red and agitated. But I know it will be okay...I will be more than okay!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none so far only 8 weeks out.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, I am still very overweight, so as far as the general public I am still treated as a freak and not thought of as worthy of common manners by many, but I am blessed with friends and family that love me unconditionaly and have supported me wholeheartedly and are so encouraging.