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

I first heard about bariatric surgery through ads on television for the Bariatric Treatment Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I ordered their information and watched the video. I felt that this would be the answer to my situation as I just didn't need much food to survive. A year later, I learned that my sister-in-law's cousin had this surgery done about five years ago. She was willing to talk to me and told me that she would do the surgery again in a heartbeat.

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

My insurance did not seem to mind using the surgery for a weight loss tool. I had gone through all the requirements and was scheduled for surgery in about 2-1/2 months after I met with the surgeon. I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield POS.

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

My first visit with the surgeon was basically a review of what I had learned from the information the office gave to me as well as what I learned from others at the support group. I was also given the opportunity to ask questions. I didn't have any then as this doctor's office is very good at giving out information. I would say go prepared with a list of any questions to get the most out of your first meeting with the surgeon.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I decided to have the surgery because I felt there was no other "diet" that had worked that would get me back to a more "normal" size. Also, the happiness of all those I met who had the surgery greatly inspired me.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The only procedure I was interested in was the Roux en Y and that was the only one presented to me.

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 didn't really have many fears because of all the positive I heard about the surgery from the support groups I attended. I asked the doctor's nurse how many people had died from the surgery from their office and her response was 3 - since 1997. These are very good odds.

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?

At first, my family thought a decision to have surgery was drastic. As they learned more, they did not seem to be as negative. My family was very supportive of me after surgery. I stayed at my parent's home for some time so I would have people around me. My family and some friends also came up to see me in the hospital.

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

People where I work knew of people that had the surgery and did not really elaborate much about it. They were supportive though. One of my fellow workers visited me in the hospital. The biggest thing my employer was worried about was who would do my work while I was gone. I took two weeks off from work as that was all the leave time I had. My job is not strenuous so I made it through the 40 hours my first week back. The team I work with also bought me a big bouquet of flowers when I got back.

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

My first day, I did a lot of sleeping. However, the staff have everyone get out of bed and walk around the first day. I had to decrease my use of the morphine in order to be able to do this as I was dizzy otherwise. It was somewhat difficult to learn to get up as the hospital staff did not help. Luckily, my bed had bars overhead to help me get up. I was in a room next to the nurses station so it seemed loud at times. There was even a fire drill one night (the nurses just closed the door). My surgery was on a Monday and I was discharged on Wednesday (2-1/2 days). Bringing a robe may be helpful as hospital robes leave much to be desired.

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

I had 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 didn't have a lot of time before I was scheduled for surgery. I got a call from the doctor's office in January and was scheduled for surgery three weeks later. I had to complete a visit to my primary care doctor's office for pre-op tests as well as have a gallbladder CAT scan and the endoscopy. I also had to meet with the nutritionist and the doctor's nurse. I was busy with appointments. I was mostly excited and did not have time to be anxious.

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

After surgery, I had pain for the next two weeks. I used the pain medication I was prescribed and had it filled before the surgery to use after surgery. The pain medication made me feel tired and somewhat dizzy so I did not do much and slept a lot. My pain was never so bad I got depressed or anything. It was more an ache and I needed a little something to help me through. I had heard about people from the support meetings that were out and about shortly after their surgery. Those people are not the normal. Expect to take care of yourself for a few weeks and don't be afraid to take medication to help with the pain. I did not have people wait on me once I left the hospital as I knew it was important for me to keep moving.

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

I live in Grand Rapids and had my surgery there, so I did not have to travel far.

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.

Since I am only three weeks out of surgery, I haven't had much to eat yet other than the protein shakes. I am now 9 weeks out after surgery. I can have different foods now. I haven't noticed any one food yet that has given me trouble. The first time I had eggs, they didn't digest real fast though. My doctor's office has a eating plan to follow. The only meat I can have is fish, along with cheese and eggs for protein. I can also have soft fruits and cooked vegetables now. Other meats will not be added to my diet for a couple months more yet.

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

Again, in three weeks, my activity is slowly increasing. I hope to begin longer walks soon to increase my exercise to 30 minutes a day. At 9 weeks after surgery, I now walk 30 minutes 4-6 times a week. I feel like my energy is back to normal.

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

I currently take children's vitamins (2) daily. I need to add B-12, Calcium Citrate and Iron in a couple weeks. Four weeks after surgery, I had to add B-12 (which I get as an injection from my primary care doctor's office), Calcium Citrate, an adult multi-vitamin and iron (a prescription from my doctor).

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 only thing bothering me yet is that I have not been able to sleep in my bed. I sleep in a chair as I am a side sleeper and when I climb in bed my insides shift and hurt yet. I hope to soon be able to sleep back in bed. After four weeks, I was finally able to sleep in my bed. I am a side sleeper so things would hurt before this time.

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

The worst part for me was that I had unrealistic expectations of how fast I would recover. I wanted to be one of those persons who had not much pain and went out and did whatever they wanted to in a few days.

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

In Grand Rapids, Dr. Scholten's office has a group called Circle of Friends that meets once a month. This has been very helpful and informative for me. I can't wait until the next meeting. Dr. Scholton's office is sponsoring Barbara Thompson to come to Grand Rapids and speak to a group here about her 125 pound weight loss. I look forward to this on June 1st 2004.

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

My scar is about 8 inches long. It was longer than I had thought it would be. When I commented on this to the doctor, he stated it was just from fingertip to fingertip (his). I thought this was funny.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None yet. Although after my two week checkup with the surgeon, I only lost 5 pounds during the next month. I have since lost another more.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet