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

I knew about it. But, the way I used to know, was, it would come undone if you didn't do what you were supposed to do. Frankly, I don't have enough will power for that way to work for me. So, a person that I know in our small town had it done, so, I began to research it more, and talked with her, etc. and made the decision

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

After the misunderstanding over where the request for surgery letter was to go, due to living in one state and insurance being based out of another, everything went fine. Be persistent, demand answers immediately.

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 a bit humiliating. Not because of anything he done, but just to have to be at this point. My husband came with me. Ask a lot of questions. Have them written out before, so you don't forget.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Over the past 5 to 6 years I have seen the general health of my aunts and uncles and my own mother and grandmother decline from being obese. I don't want the same for my immediate family. I have 4 children that I want to be around for. Since, my grandmother has had a massive heart attack and died. One aunt has been diagnosed with heart disease, and has had a triple bypass to no avail. Another aunt has also since passed on.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

It is the only procedure that Dr. Clough does. After listening to his explanation of the procedure and his reasoning, I am confident it is the right choice.

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 did not fearing dying during the surgery. My husband asked if there was a way that you could lose too much weight? The answer was no, you would take appropriate action to prevent that. Also, my husband asked if having the surgery would complicate any further surgerys needed to save my life. For example transplants, etc. if needed. The answer was also no.

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 are worried for me, as with any major surgery. We are all experiencing anxiety a little over what the end result will be, seeing as this is the face we all have known and loved for the past 30 years and will have to adjust to the change. It should be fun though!!!!LOL

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

I am not working at this time. I finished in November. Even if I was still working, I would opt not to disclose the information if at all possible.

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

Bring your own nurse if you are staying at Eastern Maine Medical Center, Maine. I had one good nurse, and she was only there for half a day cause she was a student. No one else ever offered anything, but, to take me for a walk, "Ready to go for your walk?" "No, I relplied I'll be sure and let you know when I am though". Do these nurses forget that the many thousands that this surgery cost me, is there pay also for their nursing skills, or lack there of. I am only 5 days home from the hospital, and my opinion may change later, but, I doubt it. Don't forget to bring your own pillow(s).

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

I had abosolutley no complications from the surgery. I had a hernia repaired at the same time, so the pain was a great deal more afterward.Only 5 days out of surgery though., may change later.

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 just sat around and stared at times. Other times I wanted to be left totally alone.

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

I want to be better faster. It is only five days since my surgery and I already want these staples out(28 of them)

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

I traveled 250 to 300 miles home from surgery. I wanted to stay until I was a lot better, but money did not allow. It was OK, but, I do recall saying "That Ride Was Hell, give me a pill"

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.

Today(December 17, 2001), I am 6.5 months post operative.(May1, 2001). In the first few weeks I did not do just liquids. Dr. Clough had them bring me a regular meal(no fat). I had pureed(which clough said i didn't need my food pureed) chicken, string bean, and mashed potatoes in the hospital. I think I ate one string bean. :( When I came home, I also didn't do the protein shakes or none of that. I mostly had water, cheerios and peaches mixed together, puddings, jello, and loads of popsicles. Then, I went through a period of a few weeks figuring out which foods I could or could not eat. Every person is different with their new stomach, just like a newborn baby is with theirs. So, I could eat bland and soft anything. Meats,,,,,I eat a lot of chicken breast(chewed well), and fish. Red meats I do not digest well, and they make me nauseated. Of course anything high in fat makes me nauseated(chocolate, bite of donut, etc.) There are certain times of the month when I suffer the nausea to satisfy the craving, if you ladies know what I mean. I still can not do breads or pastas well. I think they swell in your tummy. If I eat too much pasta or bread and without chewing it well, I have to vomit soon after the last bite. I don't usually drink water or anything with my meals, which is surprising cause I used to have a drink of whatever I had after each bite. But, it doesn't bother me now. I do still drink a lot of water. In the mornings I have to have my coffee with two real sugar and a little two percent milk or creamer. Does not make me ill at all. I still love popsicles!!!!

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

Directly after the surgery while in the hospital I was forced to walk. Which, at the time I didn't want to do, it hurt, my belly was hanging over the front with no support. But, I did it, and was on the road to recovery. When I got home, I limited my exercise to taking short walks frequently every time I got up to go to the bathroom(which was often due to all the fluid intake). That was plenty of exercise, and the doc was right, I did heal faster and get better quicker. If I didn't take a short walk for 3 or 4 hours then I noticed it was harder(stiffer) to get going again, so I made sure I walked often. I have so much energy now, I offer to do things at work or home, just to wear off the extra energy. :)

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

Honestly, I haven't been taking everything. Part of the reason, is I am not real good at sticking to a plan and carrying through with it. Which is one of the reasons for the surgery. I am supposed to be taking vitamins, which I had my family doc give me a prescription of prenatal vitamins, so my Medicaid would pay for it, iron, calcium, etc. I guess it is mostly cause I just forget. I also have a prescription of stool softener if I need it. I only had to use that once in the first two weeks that I was home. :( I guess if I got me a pill thingy for each day of the week, and put it by the coffee pot, I could remember to take them more easily. :)

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 worst side effects were nausia and vomiting. I have not noticed any hair loss, just a slowdown to it's growth process (it's still growing, but, not as quickly as it used to). Dumping only lasted the first week or so. Oh yeah, I forgot to put in earlier I can not eat bananas, big NO NO. so the nausia and vomiting--I vomited if I needed to, my husband stood behind me and held my incision where I told him to while I did it. That still happens sometimes if I eat too much bread or pasta. The nausia is terrible when it happens. Usually I know better, but, sometimes I just can't help myself to a bite of their pie, or something high in fat. When this happens, I have to lay down with the fan on me and do some breathing things, like blowing out little breaths, and if it is too bad I will try to get the vomiting going for instant relief. Anyway, works for me.

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

The worst part about the surgery, was developing my first major yeast infection in the hospital. It was due to such a strong antibiotic. Also, it was very hard for a while to get from a laying to a sitting position on my own. Other than that, I almost feel guilty in saying that it was a breeze(I know some of you, including my mom), have had a horrible time with the recuperating period, due to infection-incision reopen, leaks, etc. I am happy with the results.

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

There are aftercare/support programs locally, but, I do not have the time to attend, and actually I really have no desire to. Usually they are made of preops with many questions, which if I was to attend I would want to hear from postops more like myself. I have been to a few immediately after surgery(first few months), and found it of little or no help to myself. For support at home, I have a husband and four children. My husband is very considerate and conforming to my nutritional needs. He helps me however he can. My kids just want to know"Why doesn't mama have to finish her meat?" :)

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

My scar looks beautiful. It is faded down to almost white. At the top of the scar(two or three inches), it started to separate due to pressure when laying I think and has a bit of a stretch to it. Meaning it is a tad wider at the top, then the rest of it. I have had absolutely no problems with the incision. Dr. Clough and his staff did an awesome job.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I certainly have experienced plateaus. Most of them will last two weeks or so. I have had four or five so far. Then, all of a sudden for a week I may lose a pound a day. I find that eating protein, instead of going without will make you lose faster, cause your body isn't scared that "THIS IS IT" and store it for fat.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES!!! And, this kind of upsets me. I mean I like being complimented, but, you just want to scream "What, was I ugly before?" What I like is when people say, "Oh Heidi, you must feel so much better!" and they could even add that I am looking beautiful, as long as the feel better part comes out first. But, I try not to get too sassy with them. Also, I am more considerate of an obese person for some reason. Especially when I see what it is like to be thin, and enjoy the things I never used to.