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

I knew several people who had the surgery and the difference it made in their lives was so amazing, I knew it would be the only chance for me to have a normal life.

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

My insurance would not pay for bariatric surgery. I knew it was my only hope. I went through Vocational Rehabilitation. On my first try, they kept concentration on my knee injuries, not my weight. I finally went back and tried again, telling them that the weight was the issue. No one will repair the knees until the weight is off. I was told they didn't do that sort of thing, but I told them I knew they did, because I knew of 2 people who had had it done through them. I told them I was on the verge of total and complete disability. I was basically sitting there waiting to die. It took about a year to get approved for services. The worker I had didn't think much of the surgery, until she met someone who's life was totally transformed by it. Then she pushed a little harder, I guess. They will only pay for a full gastric by-pass, not the lap band. They want something that can be done and then you are off their books, not something that will need follow-up for the rest of your life, like a lap-band.

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

My first visit was wonderful. I felt completely at ease with Dr Brient. Everyone at the center was so helpful and nice. I don't like going to doctor's offices usually, so this was really different. The first visit was a group visit, so you went through and met everyone together. Dr Brient explained the history of bariatric surgery to all of us and answered group questions, then he met with each of us individually.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I looked at my granddaughter and realized I wasn't going to be here to see her grow up. I probably wouldn't have lived to see her get out of elementary school. She was 4 when I started trying for approval the last time.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Everyone I knew who had had the surgery had had gastric by-pass, so that is what I was familiar with. Also, Voc Rehab will only pay for gastric by-pass, not lap-band.

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 have any fears. I knew I would die soon without the surgery. I felt that if I died from the surgery, at least I would die trying to do something for myself. This was my only chance at life.

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?

My daughter had fears. She was 25 when I had the surgery. My ex called me up trying to talk me out of it and I couldn't figure out why. I found out my daughter had told him how scared she was of it. I took her with me to see Dr Brient. It helped quite a bit, but she was still scared. It didn't seem to bother my boys at all. Although I think it did scar my younger son. He never said anything, but he wouldn't even come to the hospital to see me. The man I had dated tried to talk me out of it while I was trying to get approval. We had dated 9 years on and off. He was gone before I finally got the approval. Haven't seen him since the surgery. He wouldn't recognize me now if he passed me on the street. After surgery, the support from my friends and children was great.

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

I told them I was doing it, I didn't ask. They reacted fine. I was planning on only being out a couple of weeks, but I ended up having open surgery, because I had so much scar tissue. A small incision didn't heal well and Dr Brient said he would suggest I stay out 6 weeks if I wanted. I was getting paid, so I said sure. I could have gone back sooner, but I was glad to take the break. And I got paid the entire time, so it was great!

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

I ended up having my surgery open because of scar tissue. So I had surgery on Monday and was released very late Friday night. I was in ICU until Thursday night. I loved it there. They were wonderful. I didn't like the floor quite as much, but I was only there for 24 hours. I was really glad I brought my CPAP machine. I really didn't feel like doing much. Someone brought me a book of word puzzles to pass the time.

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

I did end up open instead of lapry, which I guess would be a complication. One of the lapry incisions didn't close and I had to pack the wound for a few weeks. Because of that I stayed out of work longer than expected. The Dr said I could have home health come out to take care of the wound, but I just did it or had one of my kids help with 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 excited. I tried to get everything caught up in my office and at home. I really didn't have anxiety, just excitement!

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

I felt kind of useless. And quite unsure of myself. I slept on the sofa with lots of pillows, since it was easier to get out of than my bed and closer to the bathroom! I had to pay attention to get enough liquids in. I slept alot, too.

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

The hospital and center are only about 6 miles from my home, so I didn't have too far to go at all!

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 first couple of weeks was clear liquids. Sugar-free popsicles were wonderful! Then came the full liquids. Sweets were never my downfall, but the popsicles, sugar-free jello and sugar-free pudding were really lifesavers! Not having any sugar wasn't hard for me. I do miss the soda's occaisionally, but a friend who had gastric bypass a few years ago was NOT told not to have carbonation and was told he could drink all the diet soda he wanted and he did NOT lose the weight he should have. I will not let that happen. I did have problems with different foods at different times. One day something would work well and the next day it wouldn't. Seafood was great when I could have it. Chicken, on the other hand, did not do well for me, while for everyone else it seems to be great. I still (after 6 months) have a problem with hamburger, but steak is fine. Milk wasn't great for the first couple of months. I still stay away from anything greasy, and I will never test myself with sugar. If it doesn't make me dump, I don't want to know! You really have to read labels. I bought chicken salad in the Publix Deli. After 2 or 3 bites on a cracker I started getting sick. THEN I read the label. They put corn syrup in their chichen salad. Not something you would expect. You must be careful about labels. I can eat in a restaurant now, but have to take home enough for another meal or 2. I still do my protein shakes. I use unflavored yogurt, frozen fruit, my liquid vitamins, protein powder, and flax seed. It comes out thick like ice cream or a shake and I eat it with a spoon. It's great! I use the Nectar protein powders which are light and fruit flavored. When I wasn't getting enough protein, my hair started falling out. I don't have that problem now!

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

My activity level was pretty low during the first few weeks. I tried to get up and do my walking, but I sure didn't do much more than that for awhile! Now I can do things I haven't been able to do in years. I can get out and garden, I can walk all over the place. It is amazing how much energy I have now!

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

At first I took a children's chewable daily and monthly B12 shots. Now I take a liquid vitamin in my protein shake, I do the B12 under my tongue each day and the monthly shots. I do my iron daily with a chewable C, and I take a chewable calcium supplement twice a day. I have found that chewable papaya enzyme taken when something didn't really agree with me helps immensely.

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 did have quite a bit of nausea and vomiting during the first 2 or 3 months. I have only gotten that way 3 times during the second 3 months following surgery. I had the hair loss which was really disturbing, but when I started making sure to have my daily protein shake, that was reversed.

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

Waiting for the surgery was the worst part! No matter how bad I felt right after it, it wasn't nearly as bad as the waiting. (or as bad as being fat and miserable!)

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

I have several friends who had the surgery over the past 4 or 5 years, and that is a wonderful support group for me! But my obesity center has a support group and I do attend. I feel it is really important to have other people to talk to who have been there. There are little things that make a difference. I wasn't too far out (about 3 months) when I went shopping with my daughter for my granddaughter's school clothes. While we were out I bought myself a skirt and a blouse. The difference that made in my outlook was amazing. They were cheap, but new, and they fit properly. A couple of months ago a woman came to the support group with a really poor outlook on things. She kept focusing on how flabby her arms were. I told her, and so did several others, to go out and buy a new outfit. She was still wearing all her pre-surgery, really baggy now, clothes. She didn't want to spend money on something that would only fit for a short while. Neither did I, really, but having at least one really nice looking and fitting outfit makes a huge difference mentally. Those are things you can share with others that may make a difference to them. And what they share with you may make a huge difference to you. My best friend is 2 yrs out and had hit a place where she was kind of depressed and just not feeling right. She had not attended any of the support group meetings. When I said I wanted to go, she began attending. It has made a huge difference in her mental attitude. And she is really able to help others who are nowhere near as far along as she is.

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

I am only 6 months out, so I know it will change some more as I lose more weight. I ended up having open surgery after they started lapryscopically. I had too much scar tissue from previous surgeries. So I have 7 little scars and one big one. I certainly prefer the scars to what I looked like before! One of the small spots didn't heal correctly and my surgeon said he can take care of the nasty scar that one left, but otherwise, the scars are not too bad.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have not really had any 'plateau' per se. My weight loss does slow down when I don't eat ENOUGH, or get enough protein! I have to remember to eat because I don't get hungry. There are certain times of the month when the weight loss slows down. I am a little over 6 months out and I have lost 123 lbs so far. I usually lose a pound every 2 or 3 days. I lose more when I eat more and do more exercise.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I definitely am treated differently now. Before the surgery people seemed to assume I was 'fat and stupid'. There is nothing 'stupid' about me. People smile at me now and men open doors for me. I still want to lose another 107lbs, but even at this stage I am treated differently than I was at 365lbs. We are definitely a superficial society. My best friend, after losing 170lbs, had the self-confidence to apply for a promotion (and got it!!!). She never would have applied before the surgery. You are not taken as seriously if you are 'fat'.