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

From freinds who had it performed. I felt it was a miracle for them, but everyone told me I wasn't "fat enough"

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

I was one of the fortunate few who got approved in only 6 days. I went to my surgeon with documentation of every weight loss effort I had made in 25 years, labwork from my pcp, and a letter from my pcp saying he had been following me for 10 years in weight loss efforts. Go with as much documentation as you can get together, even handwritten.

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

I went in with a written list of questions, by the time that the surgeon got done explaining everything, there was hardly anything left for him to answer. My husband went with me, I was glad to have the second set of ears, and he thought of some things I didn't. I kept a pad and pencil with me for the week before my surgery, and jotted down any questions that came to mind.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The success of my co workers, and the statistics of diabetics who were basically "cured" of insulin dependancy.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Took the recommendation of my surgeon, combined with the experiences of my freinds and co workers.

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 was only married a year and a half before the surgery, I worried about what my husband would think. I wasn't afraid of the surgery, I prayed about it , and put it in God's hands.

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?

I kept it pretty low key before the surgery, only telling people on an as needed basis. My mother thought I was crazy, my coworkers for the most part also thought I wasn't "fat enough" but they have all been very supportive post surgery as they see how much better I feel and are impressed that I am off the insulin.

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

My boss was OK with it. He just asked if I didn't think it was a bit of a drastic thing to do, but accepted it with ease. I was off for 4 weeks, but have worked at my place of employment for 9 years, and never been off for more than 2 days with an illness, so they know I don't abuse time off.

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

I found that my hospital wasn't the most sympathetic to WLS patients, even though they are a bariatric center of excellence. Of course, my surgery was during a Holiday week, and they were short staffed. I advise taking ear plugs, they are way too noisy to get much rest!

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 only had 3 weeks, so it went quickly, and during that time my Nephew was killed in Iraq, so I had bigger things occupying my mind. Didn't get scared until the night before. My Husband was wonderful.

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

I felt good, it was a much easier recovery than I expected. It was hard getting all the fluids down, but I measured everything, and did my best. I was tired a lot, and the first couple of nights slept in a recliner to keep the pressure off my belly.

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

40 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.

The only thing I am having difficulty with 12 weeks post op is meet. Pork and white chicken seem to upset me the most, and stick going down. I think because they are dry. At 6 months out, still having trouble with meats, my understanding from my surgeon is that this is fairly common.

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

I was very active. My doctor had me walking right away, and I am a very active person, so just kept moving when I got home.

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

Calcium, potassium, vit B 12, mutivit, vit e, omega complex, vit C and at least 1-2 protein shakes a day to try and get enough protein in.

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 really been fortunate. I have had a little nausea, but that has been only occassionally. At 6 months out, the hair loss is still quite drastic.

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

The hospital stay! I am not a good patient (I am after all, a health care worker) and following instructions not to lift... The hospital also had very poor nursing staff who did not seem to be specialized to bariatric surgery, even though this was a center of excellence with magnet status.

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

I have used online support from Obesity Help.com and from the hospital where I had my surgery. I have attended a group at Silver Cross hospital in Joliet a couple of times. Support is crucial for me!

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

I have 6 tiny scars from laporoscopic. Much better than I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

After about 7 weeks, I hit a couple of weeks with only a pound or 2, but last week that broke and I lost 4. Total of 57 pounds in 11 weeks. I am losing much slower now at 6 months out, but am only 6 pounds from goal, so that is to be expected. My longest plateau was 3 weeks.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Only the people close to me have seen me, and they are all amazed at how good I am doing. My family is glad I am off the insulin. People that don't know I had the surgery treat me differently than new people did in the past, People that know me are in different groups, those that are supportive and positive, and those that say "you are too thin, quit loosing weight" even though many of them are thinner than me!