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

My boss's daughter had the surgery about 5 years ago. It got me thinking it might be an alternative for me. Unfortunately, her surgery wasn't successful and I didn't persue the option until I read Carney Wilson's book "Gut Feelings". I again thought about the procedure and did some research and found so many others that the surgery did work for that I began my search for a surgeon for my initial consulation. That was in May of 2001.

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

This process was handled completely by my surgeon's office. All I had to do was have the physical and psycological evaluations completed and submitted to the surgeon's office. I began that process in March of 2002 and got my approval in July, 2002.

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

My first meeting with Dr. Kamelgard was very informative. He explained the procedure to my husband and I and gave us all the pros and cons of the surgery. We asked most of the common questions which he answered and elaborated on. He made us both feel very comfortable with his experience level. We knew that day that he was the one for me! I've not regretted that decision for one single moment!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Many things! I'm getting older and I don't want to spent the rest of my life worrying about the complications of obesity. So far, I've been very lucky. I have low blood pressure (110/68), no diabetes, no sleep apnea and am still able to get around very well. But, my knees and hips are starting to give me trouble as well as my lower back. The thought of spending the rest of my life in pain because I'm squashing my own joins didn't thrill me. I can't wait to be "normal" again and go for long walks on the beach, take trips and not have to worry about fitting behind seat belts or turnstiles! Just the simple thinks in life like taking a bubble bath!!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Originally I was persuing the Laproscopic RNY. Unfortunately, I had my gall bladder removed when I was 19 and it left a lot of scare tissure which make me uneligible for that procedure. My surgeon recommended the open RNY and after he explained the benefits as opposed to other types of surgery, we decided to go with 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?

I did fear dying. Although my surgeon's "track record" was excellent (over 100 surgeries with only 3 complications and no fatalities) I just couldn't help feeling that I'd be the "lucky" one! I found that the more horror stories I read on the internet, the worst my fears became. I'm not saying you shouldn't be informed about what your are about to go through, but I am saying that I didn't experience any of the side effects I read about on the net! I would tell people to be very selective about what they read/watch, sometimes too much information is not a good thing!

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?

Everyone was very supportive. My mother was a little apprehensive mostly due to a program she watched on TV of the surgery being performed. I gave her the information I was given and she's been so very helpful since the surgery. Helping me plan my diet (she's a health food freak!!)by reading lables and looking for high protein/low fat sources. She even bought me my first Tofu!!

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

Actually, this was the hardest part of my decision to have this surgery. When I first gave him my surgery date, he threatened to demote me if I didn't change my date until after his prime rental season was over. I did (more because I just didn't need the extra stress right before this) and since that he's been a little better. Unfortunately, they were unable to find a replacement for me and they had to bring me my computer equipment so I could perform my bookkeeping duties while I'm recovering. I'm going to be out of work five and a half weeks.

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

My hospital stay was horrific! It seems the facility had some staffing problems. I spent almost 8 hours in recovery before there was a bed available for me. Then, the nursing staff, especially after 7:30 pm was almost none existent! The morphine pump worked sporatically, my bed moved on its own with me in it or not, and the call button for the nurse didn't work and I had to bother my room mate to call for help each time I wanted to get out of bed since the IV lines needed to be disconnected. I was there three days and I must say that nothing I brought was useful except my toothbrush. I was not offered sponge baths or shower privledges. My gowns (had to wear two since there were no larger ones available) were not changed nor were my sheets! The sink in the room leaked all over the floor and the staff was constantly leaving trash (bandage wrappers, plastic needle caps, used thermometers on the floor around my bed, in the bed or on the tray bedside. No one spoke english very well....the list could go on and on.

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

I developed a fever the day after surgery. 101.4, so they put me on antibotivs and told me to keep breathing and moving. I still went home on schedule!

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

Its only been two weeks since my surgery and I feel pretty good! The pain is all but gone. I'm not hungry in the slightest way and I'm not craving anything in particular. I don't really feel very much anxiety except about getting in enough liquids and proteins. It seems that I'm putting more into my mouth now than before the surgery! I'm sure once I get into a routine it will all fall into place, but for now it seems like there's not enough hours in the day to get in all in!

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

The first few days after my discharge were a little miserable. I couldn't get comfortable anywhere. My rear end was killing me from sitting, standing was tiring and sleeping was a joke! I ended up sleeping in my husband's recliner for the first 4 nights. But each day does get better. I was moving on to soft foods within a week and that made it a little easier.

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

I live in South Jersey and I traveled to Newark, NJ for my surgeon and surgery. It was a two hour ride one way and it did affect both my pre-op and post-op care. I had most of my surgical clearance testing done at home and that created a lot of faxing/mailing of reports between doctors and labs. I say my surgeon 1 week after my surgery and I won't go back until my one month anniversary.

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.

Well, its been a year since my surgery. I still have trouble tolerating dry proteins, chicken breast, over cooked beef or seafood. I have not been able to keep chinese food of any kind down and most fried foods don't sit well. I have not tried any foods with sugar so I don't know what the reaction will be with that yet.

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

My energy levels have gotten steadily higher over the months. I've been going to a gym four nights a week since January and started walking three miles in the morning before work in May. I feel great!

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

I take Vista Vitamins as instructed/recommended by my surgeon and GNC Actical suppliments for calcium.

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 worse side effect so far has been hair loss. Its was pretty bad for about 6 months. I've tried to up my protein intake to keep it healthy but when you only eat such small amounts its tough. It seems to have leveled off now. I don't really get nausiated or vomit very often and usually only when I do something I know I shouldn't, like eat fried food!!

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

The waiting...I'm a very impatient person. It drove me crazy waiting!!

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

There really is no structured support system in my area. I have met three other women at the gym that have had the same procedure at different times, two before me and one after. We kind of get together and swap war stories!

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

My scar is very small compared to others. Not bad at all and much better than I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had several plateau experiences over the past year. It seemed I would never get under 200 pounds and all of a sudden, I was 195! Then I got to 178 and it stayed there for almost 3 weeks!! Enough to drive you crazy!!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People do treat me differently. They actually look at me! I was able to get a job offer without answering any ads and then had my present employer actually bargain to keep me!! Its all very different.