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

I was very ill and having emergency surgery when my Dr asked if I wanted him to go ahead and do it if he could at that time. He wasn't-I was too messed up inside, but suggested that I come back in a couple of months and he'd do it then. I was nervous, but excited for the first time in my life I had hope. I didn't really understand the changes it would require in my whole life and that has been rather challenging. Still is. I did it for a combination birthday and graduation gift to myself. I would do it all over again. 5-2-05 I had also watched alot of talk shows. WLS had made the rounds of the talk shows and I would cry through each one and wish there was a way I could afford to do something like that for myself. Get up the courage! I knew that it was permanent and that was the only solution for me.

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

12/2004 I went in to the ER for emergency surgery and the dr on duty just happened to also be the same dr who does the WLS surgery. He offered and I said sure. He wasn't able to, but he was able to later as a follow up to the original surgery. So I kinda went in the back door. I was told later that if I had gone through all the hoops and such that I should have gone through I would never have been approved based on my psych eval.

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

I was on a gurney looking up at him and they were getting ready to put me under for emergency surgery....he very quickly explained what was going on and asked if I was interested in the WLS surgery if he could do it. I said sure why not? Next thing I knew I was out.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The fact that I had a dr who was willing to do it and insurance that was willing to pay for it. I had watch tv shows about it and other diets and all sorts of stuff for many years and sat there and just cried. Never thinking I would ever have a chance to have a dream come true. Dr Carter made that a possibility.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

It had to be all or nothing. Nothing that could be reversed. 5-02-05 I also didn't know (or remember) that there was more than one kind of procedure.

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 had more fears about the anathesia than anything else. But they are good about that. I hate the oxygen mask-makes me claustrophobic. So they just give me a little something before we get that far and I don't have to deal with it. I was excited to get on with it.

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 very supportive and have been there all the way for me. Especially my mom and my husband. My husband was in the Navy and gone alot of the time, so mom took me under her wing and made sure I had enough to eat and such. At the holidays that first year she made sure the dishes were made with things I could eat-such as mashed potatoes without milk. After 8 1/2 years now, both my husband and mom are still very supportive. My sister-in-law has also learned how to cook. She likes spicy and knows that I can't eat spicy-so we do 1/2 and 1/2. 5-02-05 For the most part I kept it low key at first. But as the weight came off so fast people wanted to know how I was losing it and I just answered it simply. I didn't have anyone react poorly.

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

I wasn't working at the time. I was between graduation and working.

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

I was so miserable while I was there. I really wanted a shower but alas that wasn't to happen for a while. The main thing that I found I needed was chapstick. I found that my lips would get so terribly dry. That and very loose clothing to wear home-easy to put on.

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

I didn't really have any complications from the surgery-that I can remember. 5-2-05 none while I was in the hospital at the time.

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 had waited and wanted this for so long and now found someone who was willing-almost eager to perform the surgery. At last I found some light at the end of the tunnel. I set the date so that it would be a combination birthday gift and graduation gift for myself. The only anxiety I had was in not knowing what was ahead and being nervous about the anesthesia.. I was told later by my psychologist that I was seeing that if I had gone through normal channels like I was supposed instead of the back door and had this surgery as a follow up to the one I had the previous fall, it would not have been approved. My mental status would have kept me from having the surgery. Thankfully my higher power was looking out for me.

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

I still had trouble getting around for awhile. Nothing looked or tasted good and I was having trouble finding anything I could eat. I finally found I could live on salmon & watermelon-and did. Major changes-how you feel, how you eat, what you eat, even your clothes as the weight begins to peel off. I didn't know what to expect. It's a period of trial and error. Everything you eat is different for each person. I found when talking to others that even though I became lactose intolerant after surgery, others didn't have any problems. 5-2-05 I found I really needed support for the first few months while I was learning to cope with my new life. My hubby was out to sea, so I spent alot of time with my parents. I really needed moral support.

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

It takes about 45 min. to get the Army hospital where I was. Not a problem getting back & forth. Just had to allow extra time for walking a little slower for awhile. It did affect my aftercare however. I wasn't able to continue with the support group they have. It meets late afternoons and the Narrows Bridge traffic is horrendous at that hour. I also don't drive any more.

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 lived on salmon, watermelon and some potato. Green beans were ok. All other meats were off limits. Sugar no way. I couldn't even walk up and down the candy & baking aisles in the grocery store without getting weak, flushed & my skin crawling. Talking about some of those foods were even a problem. Anything with fat in it. The hardest part has been to relearn how to eat and how to cook so I can eat. Somethings I've been able to reintroduce (it's been 4 years). I really missed my chocolate-but I can now eat 4 M&M's. Skinless chicken-but not quite a thigh. But it was a long time before I began to figure some of it out. Still no milk, yogurt, cream cheese, sour cream...etc. Yet cottage cheese and some of the other cheese are ok. Still eat fish, melons, quite a bit of vegetarian dishes, but stay far away from spices. (cumin, & other really spicy stuff.) As of today 12/2004 8 1/2 years later: I still am lactose intolerant. I use splenda instead of sugar when I absolutely need to. I still can't eat more than 1 chicken thigh. When I order a hamburger I order a child's size and I usually can't finish it. Nothing spicy. What I miss most is ice cream! I did find soy ice cream and Rice Dream this last summer and I can have a little bit of that and it's ok. Most meat still bothers me unless it's in soup. I eat lots of veggie soups. There are no veggies that I can't eat-except peppers. I still can't eat chocolate-but I have found it satisfying just to make brownies and watch others eat it. My face still flushes when I make brownies or chocolate-don't even have to taste it. 5-02-05 At 8years 11 months, I am still having problems with my eating, Periodically I have to go back and look at what I am doing. This month is one of those times. I can have a piece of cake (very small bite) no frosting. No chocolate. I have learned to accept that it is ok not to eat those things that I used to HAVE to have in my past life. If I really have to have something, craving it, then I will have 1 bite. That will satisfy. 1 bite of pie-not the whole pie. Very low fat. Still lactose intolerant, except for hard cheese. Am having trouble getting in my protein. I need help with that. Actually having trouble eating at all right now. Trouble with drinking enough fluids-dehydrated most of the time. It has gotten worse over time. 8-22-2007 11 years 3+ months out. I still have trouble with the food issues, but they are better. Things still continue to change and I still check in from time to time with my dietician. I have trouble getting the nutrients that I need, but I think after my session yesterday I may be back on track.

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

I was excited. My energy began to gain as the weight came off. However, exercise has never been my strong suit and if I could go back I would make more of an effort to do so-would have made a world of difference. I was absolutly elated the day I was able to climb 3 flights of stairs without stopping, pulling myself up and not being winded. 12/2004 Exercise is STILL not my strong suit. But walking is easier now. I like walking my puppy. 5-02-05 Like I said, exercise is not my favorite thing to do, but it is getting easier to do. I can walk better and further. Although I've developed arthritis in my hip. I walk as far as I can and the stop and rest and off I go again. I get quite a bit in though if there is a quilt show! :)

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

I take calcium, B-complex, pre-natal vitamins, and a soy capsule. Also a soy protein. 12/2004 I found i was very low in potassium and take that daily now as well. Also take magnisium. 5-2-05 As of today, I take Beta Carotene, Vit.E complete, Vit C complete, Vit B complete, and a mineral complex, potassium, I seem to be doing ok on those. 8-22-07 I will change my vitamins next week as I haven't been getting enough. My dietician recommended VistaVitamins that are specially formulated for those who have had gastric by pass.

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?

All the above. Still have trouble with them if I eat the wrong thing. The other problem that is really bad is that I am cold all the time. I sleep with a couple of blankets and wear socks and slippers in July. I can sit in the sun and be cold. After 4 years it is still bad and shows no signs of abating. 12/2004 I still have trouble with being cold after all this time. I still have trouble with hair loss if I'm not careful with my diet and getting enough protein-and with most meat not agreeing with me that's easy to do. Dumping and nausia on occaision now and then if I've eaten or tried something that I know I shouldn't have. But I've come to terms with it now and just don't eat it anymore. Like cake and frosting. 5-2-05 Still lactose intolerant, still have dumping when I eat or encounter certain foods-but on occasion i use that to my advantage, hair loss comes and goes in cycles, not so much nausea or vomiting any more though. But if I go to a certain meeting where they really crave their triple layer, triple frosted rich dark chocolate cake-I do remember what it used to taste like. But I have to sit with my back to the desert table so I can't see it. Because I will get the same symptoms as I would if I were to eat any of it. It will make me sick and I will have to leave the meeting. I am 8 years 11 months post op. I guess the biggest thing that I would say on how to cope would be to be able to get to a place of acceptance. To know in your heart of hearts that it really is ok not to eat it. or that 1 taste is enough to satisfy. 11 years + out and I still get the occasional dumping and/or flushing. I just have to be careful. I keep tums in my purse, the car and the kitchen!

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

Having to relearn 40 years of eating habits and learning how to cook. I have finally found a dietician that I am working with-and just beginning to put some of it together. 12/2004 I think looking back on it now, it was coming to terms with the loss and greiving over the food I was addicted too. It took me 8 years to come to terms with it and realize that the WLS just took care of the physical part. There was still the emotional and spiritual part that needed to be addressed and it wasn't considered. WLS is just a part of the whole. 5-2-05 I still agree with that. The spiritual and emotional parts need to be addressed. We each didn't just arrived at our highest weight over night...something caused us to get there. We are feeding a hole and that hole needs to be addressed.

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

I didn't have any until last week. I've been asking for it for 4 years now. In that first session (very first for the group) I learned that in some instances that the problems aren't just me-they are common to others as well. It is going to be very important to be a part of it for all of us in dealing with the individual issues. At the moment it's how to get through Thanksgiving & the holidays. 12/2004 I don't have a support group to go to. I've dealt with the issues through my psychologist and through a 12 Step program. 8/22/07 Just recently I found that the local Naval Hospital has a bariatric support group and I went to my first meeting tonight! Yea! I enjoyed it. It still helps to have someone else to talk to.

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

I had previous surgery that required a long incision/scar down my belly and my surgeon just used that-so there isn't anything "new".

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had several plateaus. I got depressed. I was hoping that I wasn't stuck there and it was over. But just to keep doing what I needed to be doing and it would pass. I have since learned that it is important to keep up your protein and to do some sort of exercise-other wise your body will go into a starvation mode and you won't lose weight. It holds on to what you have. 12/2004 I have been on a 2 year plateau. I gained some weight back and then started losing again and then got stuck for two years. But am now losing again. Not dieting...just watching what I eat. I have 6lbs to go to get to my 1st goal. 5-2-05 Reached my first goal +. Have currently lost 206 lbs 8/22/07 I had reached another plateau and then due to some medical and stress issues in the last year I have started gaining some back. But had an appt with dietician yesterday and am back on track again. So hopefully I will start to lose again. I never got down to my original goal and would still like to. It's not unreasonable.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Oh yes. They listen to me. They don't point and laugh. Our oldest daughter isn't ashamed of me and she wants me to meet her friends now. I'm not being ignored. I have more of a chance to be hired for a job. 12/2004 Yes, people talk to me. They ask me questions or to go out. 5-2-05 Not anymore. Because even though I have lost 206 lbs, I am considered obese. But the big difference is how I treat me.