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

I had read some testimonials and was impressed about it and I dabbled with the thought of it. I felt it was too good to be true. Since I was only (yeah right!)100 pounds overweight I thought no one would take me seriously about wanting to do it.

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 problem getting approval, my insurance bases their decision on my future health problems. Be honest with your doctor, tell him everything about all methods used to lose weight and your feels about yourself and your reasoning for losing weight and make sure who ever is writing the letters to the insurance is using the right wording and is educated on insurance methods. Use a reputable physician.

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

My surgeon was my doctor, and he is outstanding. I asked a lot of questions about my pre-op care and my post op care. Read recommendations about your surgeon and his sucess rate. Make sure he is reputable.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I weighed the pros and cons of being overweight with my medical problems and the frustration of trying to lose weight with diets and end up gaining more weight. The physicals came back where I was healthy to have the surgery and the prognosis was so positive, and the support from my family was outstanding that I committed myself to having the surgery.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

There was no decision for me to make as my doctor only performs the one kind and the surgery was an open one.

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?

When I decided to have the surgery I put my affairs in order and spoke with each one of my children with love. I arranged what to do if anything happened to me.I had full knowledge of what complications may happen including not surviving the surgery, my faith in God is strong and carried through this difficult time and I was at peace with myself.

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?

Everyone had questions and opinions. I spoke to everyone regarding their thoughts, and encouraged them to have faith in me and my decision to have the surgery. My family were at the hospital at the time of surgery, one of my sons was with me before the surgery. I had a complication crop up where the spleen was nicked, my blood pressure dropped and my heart stopped. After 2 units of blood my heart started and my blood pressure came back up and I was just fine. I am strong.

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

I was off of work for about 12 weeks. I chose to take the most time I could until I felt confident and physically and mentally well to return to work. At this time I had been laid off just before the surgery so my options were open to me and I was able to collect disability and then unemployment when I was released from disability.

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

The hospital was clean and a teaching hospital so the best of the best were there. I was in the hospital for 7 days, 3 in the ICU and 4 on the ward. If I had it to do over again, I would have one of my daughters staying with me 24/7, warm flannel sheets and egg crate on my bed, with a colorful warm comforter and a cardiac chair in my room.

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

My spleen was nicked and the surgeons dealth with that. I did have problems getting water down, and now I know that a tablespoon at time is the limit, also popsicles and pudding are easiest to get down. Get up and walk as soon as you are able whether you want to or not, and if you want to sit on the toilet even if you have a catheter in do it. What ever comforts you do it.

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 depressed and anxious and could not sleep. I would talk with my daughters about my feelings, and watched a lot of tv. I also rested a lot. I had major surgery 3 years ago on my heart, so I knew what would come and how my body would react. I relaxed and let everyone take care of my needs if I was too tired. I did not go out if I did not want to and yet would join my family when I was able.

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

I was very tired and did not feel hungry at all. I ate soft food, yogurt, popsicles, juices etc... I rested, did not move anything remotely heavy, sat in a comfortable chair, showered during the day when it was convient to me. I made sure my fluid intake was good and wore my brace. Everyone kept pretty quiet around the house and my grandchildren came in to visit me anytime they wanted, and if I was asleep they would crawl into bed with me or sit and watch TV. I had a hard time to dress myself or to do hygiene on myself when using the toilet and my daughter helped me until I could manage to take care of it myself. My daughters also helped me with my incision and dressing changes, and were there to walk with me and drive me to my dr appts. I think the most important thing is to rest and let others help you and do your shopping and cleaning until you are able to move comfortably.

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

About 5 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 had a hard time drinking water, or anything that was dietary. I also detested the broth after about 4 weeks and could not tolerate it that often. I ate baby food which I really enjoyed :), yogurt (which I never could eat before the surgery as it caused acid indegestion)I ate a lot of baby rice cereal, regular oatmeal, applesause, drank fruit juices, milk and protein shakes fron GNC. About 4 weeks I started with simple vegetables, some red meat, some chicken, and fish. Loved peanut butter and crackers but about the 7th week I had a hard time digesting chicken, seems some ways it was cooked it hurt my stomach, also cold meats like luncheon meats I cannot tolerate even now and its been almost 7 months post op. About 4 weeks I was into potates (white and sweet yams) spinach (mmmmm good) but find rice hard to digest. I still have a hard time with water, but drink tea, hot chocolate (sugar free)and chai tea. I am able to eat tamales (???)but have a hard time with spagehetti. I am so weird on my diettary tolerances. I flow with the it though and eat healthy. My sugars are down to normal but I still continue on my oral meds, my blood pressure is good and my stamina is high. I cannot tolerate too much carbs or sugars and if I eat anything with lard or grease in it unknowingly, I do vomit it up.

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

Activity level was very poor for about 4-6 weeks, but then all of sudden I felt better about 6-8 weeks and started walking a mile a day, shopping more often, swimming (which I had not done in years)and walking up and down stairs.

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

I do not take any. My blood was checked and my diet is adequate and all levels normal. I do take protein drinks when I am not hungry or going someplace where I just cannot eat the food, and also I use the diabetic form of Ensure for supplementing meals.

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?

Sleeping was the worst and I my physician prescribed Ambien for me, which I took for about 2-3 months and then weaned off of them, getting adequate exercise and a good diet and resting when needed to help me settle down at night to sleep.

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

I think not knowing what to expect in reality was the worst. I should have taken the initiative to investigate support groups more thoroughly and get actively involved. I have learned a lot about myself and how strong I am and I would do it again in a heartbeat knowing it was the best thing I could do for myself as a person. I feel better, I look better, I eat healthier, my life style has changed so drastically and is acceptable to me. Just seeing people who have had the surgery knowing their testimonies should encourage anyone who has a need to help themself to persist and reach their goal. THE POSITIVES OUT WEIGH THE NEGATIVES

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

I used the online support groups posting boards and chat rooms. The more involved you are a support group the more aware you are of your needs.

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

My scar runs from my pubic to my breast bone and actually joins the scar I have from my triple bypass heart surgery. Yes I expected it and I put lotion on it (Ederma) and it is softening out.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have reached several small plateaus where I have eaten (what I felt was a lot) only to weigh myself several days later to find out I dropped several pounds.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Actually no. The first time people see me after losing so much weight they are expressive about that, but my close friends are still the same and my family share their meals with me when we go out to eat because they know I will not be able to eat much and it would waste my time to buy a childs portion or a regular meal.