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

I first heard about it through some newspaper ad. There was a PO Box to write to for information and so I did. When I got back the packet of information I decided absolutely NOT!! This material was very outdated and very cold!! So I completely forgot about this for a few years. Then on Good Friday in 1999 I was home and I happened to see the Rosanne Show. She had just recently had her surgury and I was amazed at how good she looked. And she was so happy about it!!

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

I had no problem getting insurance approval. My primary doctor and my surgeon both wrote to the insurance company stating that I was morbidly obese and the company approved the surgery.

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

My husband went with me. We had a list of questions (one of my big concerns was whether or not I could eat spicy foods..which I love.. after the surgery. I can!). It helps to have questions and concerns when you go to meet with your surgeon. He also explained various procedures and then the one that he prefers to do. He also said it was mandantory that we attend AT LEAST ONE GROUP SESSION prior to scheduling the surgery so that we could listen to feedback of others.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When I couldn't enjoy walking around the amusement park with my grandchildren I knew I had to do something!!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After the surgeon explained the different types of surgery, I decided on the band since this method doesn't really cut out any of my intestines.

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?

For some reason I did not even think about the possibility of dying. My biggest fear was that I wouldn't be able to eat all the things that I loved to eat (and most of which got me into this fat predicament!).

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 more frightened about it than I was. They had heard horror stories about surgery gone wrong and the dangers involved. But after my husband attended a couple of group sessions with me, and explained things to my grown children, they were all very supporitive. After the surgery (and because of the complications!!) they have been wonderful and I have been determined to show them that it has all been worthwhile!!

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

My supervisor thought I was doing this for cosmotology reasons, but when I told her I was also having my gall bladder out she was okay about it!! I thought I would only be out of work for 3-4 weeks, but because of the complications I was out for 10 weeks. However, she was very understanding about it.

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

My stay in the hospital was fine. I was there much longer than expected because I had some complications. It was not really necessary to bring anything..my hospital provided everything (even toothbrush and comb).

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

My complications were not from the surgery, but from the anesthetic. For some reason my body completely shut down and they could not bring me out of the anesthesia. I was in the trauma unit of the ICU for almost two weeks and (I've been told because I don't remember)they did all kinds of tests on me to find out why I didn't wake up. Finally, as they were getting ready to put me on dialisis, I started to come to. I remained in the hospital almost a week after that. I want to EMPHASIZE that my reaction was not because of the surgery but because of some unknown reaction to the medicine I was given. And I had every specialist and doctor in the ICU working to save me.

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

Once I "came to" I started to feel better immediately. I was on liquids for a while and then moved on to oatmeal, jellos, mashed potatoes, and soft foods. By the time I left the hospital and came home I was able to eat almost anything. I would tire easily, but that was because of the trauma my body had gone through from the anesthsia. I never felt anxiety!

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

I had nurse come for a home visit several times a week because they needed to monitor my heart and blood because of the complications. I also had a physical therapist come twice a week to help me to get back on my feet. I rested a lot. I ate soft foods and drank a lot of liquids.

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

To a local hospital..about 15 miles from my home. It did not affect my aftercare.

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 secret is CHEW-CHEW-CHEW!! I enjoy eating things like yogart, scrambled eggs, ground beef. I sometimes still have a little bit of trouble with chicken and pork. Fish is wonderful and I eat a lot of it. Usually I can eat salads, but I must remember to chew it good or it will get stuck! I have popcorn for snacks. I don't eat much bread (which I used to eat a lot of), and when I do it is better toasted. I can eat sausage, but not bacon. Almost all vegetables are fine.

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

It took me a while to get going..but again, I think that was because of the complications from the anesthsia. I had to use a walker to get around from the time I came home in July until sometime during the Christmas vacation. Then, I just quit using it and switched to a cane! Now I don't use anything and I am walking 2-3 miles several days a week!!

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

I take a multiple vitamin every day along with regular medications.

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?

Once in a great while if I eat too fast (or too much) I still vomit. But .. it is different than being sick. Once I vomit (I call it "overflow"), I am immediately fine. I've had no other problems.

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

Just finally deciding to do it!! Once I had made up my mind to go ahead, I have never regretted it. I would do it again in a heart beat!

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

Once a month Dr. Betencourt holds a support group meeting for those who are considering the surgery as well as many who have successfully completed the program. I find it VERY HELPFUL!! And..it's great for the ego!! I take the "before" pictures that I had and the new people can't even believe it is still me!! And, I'm so full of energy and enthusiasm that I am a walking testimony!! These programs also help to learn new and different ways to eat with our new (and much smaller) stomach!!

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

At first my scar looked like a big railroad track from between my breasts all the way down to my belly button!! (I also had my gall bladder removed when I had the surgery). My husband and I joked about playing choo-choo!! Now the scar has faded a great deal. I didn't really know what to expect so I have no problem with the scar. I'm not the bikini type!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

After the first few weeks of quick weight loss, I seem to experience plateau levels about every 5 lbs. Then after about a week or maybe two weeks, I will quickly drop another few pounds.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Oh yes!! People treat me like a real person!! They are nicer, kinder and much more friendly.