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

I "heard' about it years ago. I really got interested in it after Carnie Wilson had it done. My initial impresssion was I wanted to give it a try if insurance would approve it. I research everything on the computer so I started reading everything I could find. When I found this site I stated "talking" to people to learn first hand the pros and cons.

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

My insurance company was slow. The people were rude and not at all helpful. My advice is to find a nice person...get a NAME and TRY to talk to the same person each time. I felt like a YO-YO. If you have to FAX all of your paperwork to them yourself..after they tell you they never got it from the doctor......twice...ha ha! Fax it to a specific person!

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

My first visit was very informative. He met with us separately for all the "personal info" and then as a group session for the surgery discussion. I thought that was great because some people asked questions that I had never thought of. It really helped to have all the extra brains in the room.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I knew that this was my last chance at a "normal" life. I couldn't loose weight on my own and this was my "tool" to a better and more healthy life. I understood it was only a tool and I would have to work on it also.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My doctor told me what was best for me. My insurance co would only let me have a proximal RNY.

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?

When I was lying in the surgery holding area I got to thinking about complications. Truthfully, I knew I would die anyway it I didn't do something about my weight. I left it up to the doctor and the guy upstair to watch over me.

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?

They were very supportive before and after. My husband was afraid of complications but he knew I needed to do it if I was to have any kind of life worth living.

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

I was very up front and honest about my decision to have surgery from the beginning. Everyone at work was very supportive. Due to the fact that I work at a computer most of the day I came back half days at 3 weeks and full time at 6 weeks.

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

The hospital stay was fair. I was there for 4 days. Surgery was on a Monday morning and I went home early Thurday evening. The most important thing to bring is your determiniation to get up and get moving. Slipper and a robe are OK too. I staying in a hospital gown until I was discharged.

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

I had NO complications. I was very lucky. I attribute that to a thorough doctor.

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 only had 4 weeks to think about it and I was so busy getting prepared with all the pre-op testings that I didn't have much time to get anxious. The waiting for the insurance co to make up their mind caused me enough grief. It was a relief just to get approved as I was feeling so poorly at the time.

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

I was very weak when I got home. Mainly because I had no stamina left before the surgery and had become pretty dormant..if you know what I mean. I went to a support group meeing my doctor hosts just before my surgery and was told by many people that the first few weeks you will say..what the -ell did I do to myself..then after that it will be...why didn't I do it sooner. That perfectly describes how I felt. I was prepared!!

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

I traveled almost 100 miles. (one way) After much searching and thought I chose a doctor that was the best choice for me NOT the most convenient one. My aftercare has not been affected. I still follow his schedule of visits and will continue to do so. He is very strict with his aftercare. It is important to us both for me to be successful and healthy!

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 have a slight lactose intolerance and some of the things that have made me dump are chicken and tuna salads I purchased in a restaurant. Mostly I can eat anything I want in small quantities.

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

At first I was weak but once I started on my vitamins/iron and B-12 shots my activity level picked up and continued to increase. Now I am unstoppable!!

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

I take a precription iron (Chromagen FA), a Centrum multivitamin, a vitamin A & D capsule TWICE A DAY (morning and afternoon) and 2 Calcium lactate capsules a bedtime. Your calcium should be take alone as it can absorb the other medications making them not as efficient. I don't do the protein drinks as I want to learn to do this with food in the real world. My weight loss speaks for itself. My bloodwork has always been fine.

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 only got sick twice and that was when I started eating solid food. I was eating too fast. I had to learn to slow down. I slept alot better once the weight started coming off. I only have dumped a few times and I know what caused it so I DON'T eat it! The hair loss didn't bother me as much as I thought it would. I have thick hair and really I am the only one who noticed it when I washed my hair. It only lasted a few months and now my hair grows so fast and thick it can be a real pain.

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

I hated the binder that I came home with the most. I was so big around that they had to join two together and it rubbed raw places in my folds of fat. The incision healing was second on my list. Mine healed really well but it was a large incision and I was worried about it coming open. It never happened though.

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

My doctor has a support group that meets once a month. I don't go as much as I should but I have peers that I have met locally and in my doctor's area and we support each other. The group meetings are helpful and important to me because it help me see how successful I have been and to encourage others in their search.

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

It is pretty long..from the bottom of my breastbone to my navel. I have had gallbladder surgery (many years ago when the incisions were big) and an emergency c-section so I look like Zorro got me anyway. Really it looks better than I thought it would.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

It is March 10, 2002 and tomorrow I will be 15 months post-op. Although my weight loss has slowed some I have not had any plateaus as of yet. I am sure they are in my near future.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Oh yes. People that wouldn't speak to me when I was extremely morbidly obese talk to me now. Even a few guys look at me differently..tee hee! I am more confident with myself and I think that makes a difference on how I am treated.