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

TV. It seemed like my only hope.

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

I had Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield and had no problems. Also, I had a medical history of weight problems. My physician's nurse recommended the Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians because she had been a patient.

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

His office and staff were wonderful. He is an engaging and competent man who inspires trust. The facility is located in St. Mark's hospital and is designed for bariatric patients. One thing that was nice was that the chairs in the lobby were large and I could fit into them easily. I weighed 324 and did't always fit into most chairs comfortably. It is a small detail but I made me feel like this place understood my personal challenges.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was heading towards having weight related health problems and I just couldn't face another day being out of control and overweight. I felt like I was drowning in my own flesh. This felt like my only hope.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My doctor explained which would be best for me and I took his recommendation.

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?

This is a serious operation and complications can arise. Understand that the changes in your body are real and are forever. This is not something to do on a lark. This is not a magic cure, it is merely a tool to aid in weight loss. You should look at your current state of health and decide if the risks are worth the possible benefits. Your recovery will be long and hard and, sometimes, painful. There are emotional aspects to this operation as well. You will be like a butterfly and your body will, literally, change before your eyes over the course of the first year. Be prepared for ups and downs and find a physician you feel has your best interests in mind.

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 family was never particularly supportive period so nothing was changed. I did however have a very good friend who supported me in my decision and made my recovery easier.

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

I worked for the post offce and had 6 weeks of leave so I had plenty of time off to recover. I didn't tell my employer why I was taking my vacation as I felt it was none of their business.

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

The staff was very supportive. I was phobic about hypodermic needles so hospitals were harrowing for me. I was there for 4 days. My own bathrobe was a comfort.

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

Yes. I had to have my stomach opening reopened 6 weeks after the initial surgery. My first 6 weeks were pretty bad but after my stomach was reopened the pain subsided rather quickly. One and a half years after the initial surgery I had a softball sized mass removed from my colon. That was another 4 day stay in the hospital. It was a rare side effect as I was only the 4th person in 11,000 surgeries to face the colon mass complication.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

Because I had always soothed myself with food it was difficult at first to find comfort. The grocery store was a very hard place to visit. I literally went through a mourning period. I had lost food as my friend. I found walking helped to ease my anxieties.

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

Because me stomach opening was closed my first few weeks were very painful. If you are constantly in pain and throw up everything, including water, go see your doctor immeadiately. After my stomach opening was reopened the physical pain subsided rapidly. Also this is a time of emotional adjustments, you must expect to be anxious and saddened. Remember, you have lost an old friend, food. You may go through a mourning period. Allow yourself to mourn and these feelings will lessen and you eventually feel emotionally stronger.

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

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 was not able to eat any foods or liquids as my stomach opening had reclosed. After it was reopened I was able to eat baked beans. Then hamburger, chicken with a small amount of bbq sauce and green beans were the easiest foods for me for the next 6 months. I became lactose intolerant so milk and yogurt were very difficult. At about 6 months eggs and cheese became easier so I incorporated them into my meals. After 4 years any foods with sugar still causes nausea. Too much fruit causes nausea. I now eat most vegetables, tomatoes, salads, all kinds of lean meats, I can also tolerate bread products, though I avoid eating too many wheat based carbs, as they can cause nausea and excess gas.

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

At 2 months out of surgery I began walking in my neighborhood. I began with 1 block and added to that each week. As the weight came off the energy rose. I have been walking 3-5 miles a day 5 days a week for the last 3+ years. I occasionally feel tired so I have a b12 shot 2 times a year. Also, I am 41 so I feel my energy level is age appropriate.

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

A multivitamin and a ferrocon (iron supplement) every day.

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?

Because my stomach was closed for the first 6 weeks the dumping was constant. After the stomach was reopened the nausea and dumping subsided considerably. It took time to read my body and to discover how much food I could comfortably eat. If I ate one bite too much I was nauseous and would dump. At about 6 months I stopped dumping all together as I could regulate accurately my portion size.

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

In the hospital they want you to use this breathing appratus to clear you lungs. I felt like I was going to rip open my stomach every time I had breath into that darn thing. The nurses assured me that I wouldn't harm myself, and they were right. But I really hated having to cough for the first 4 days.

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

This is the only support group I belong to.

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

Considering that it was completely opened twice, it looks pretty good. It has faded to a thin pink line.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

At 9 months I plateauted at 200 pound for what seemed like forever. Actually it was only 3 or so weeks then the rest of the weight came off. I have maintained the same weight for 3+ years.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I fit it now. At 324 pounds I was alway noticed. It is wonderful to blend in with the crowd.