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

My sister told me about a friend of hers who had the surgery while we were on vacation.

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

I was denied the first time, but the 2nd time was approved.

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

It was very good. I was excited about having the surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I struggled with weight loss all my life and had tried every diet on the planet, but could not keep the weight off. As I got older, it got harder and harder to lose.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted the procedure where I could lose the most weight. The only doctor that my insurance would pay for only would do an open procedure on me.

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 wasn't worried. I had always "seen" myself at being thin at some point and optimistic that there would be no problems.

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?

A few were worried that it was radical, but all were supportive.

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

I told them I was having the surger and they were supportive. I was out of work for 8 weeks.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

I was optimistic when I heard other patients' stories.

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

My insurance would only pay for one hospital that my only-approved doctor didn't normally work at, so they were not totally versed on my after-care. I remember the first meal they gave me was something I couldn't eat and I had to tell them to bring me something else! It was 6 years ago and I don't remember a lot, but I do remember one nurse that was especially kind and efficient. I believe, I was there 3 days. I don't remember what I brought.

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

I had no complications from the surgery. I think it was because my doctor, Dr. Sabback, was excellent. He did some "extra" things, like he double-stitched everything in the surgery. He also did the Roux-n-Y with a silastic ring and will all that, I have lost the weight and kept it off in 6-12 years. I do have dumping syndrome, but I think of it as a blessing in disguise that I get sick from eating too many sweets and greasy things.

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

It was a long time ago, but I felt bad at the beginning. Sick all the time, but as I learned how my new stomach worked, I got better and better and working with it.

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

The sickness tough at the beginning, but it gets better. Then, it gets very exciting when the weight starts dropping off and you soon get used to the sickness and the benefits of losing weight far outweigh (excuse the pun) the problems.

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

My doctor and hospital were just 20 minutes away.

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.

It has been 6-1/2 years, so I don't remember everything, but at the beginning, I had to stick to liquids and soft foods. As time progressed, I could eat more things. I have found that I now have many things that make me get sick: It sounds bad, but I'm used to it and it happens less and less often as I understand what causes them. I do sometimes "try" to see if I can eat something again -- and sometimes, I won't get sick, but, more times than not, I will. My own stupidity, but sometimes when an old favorite dish comes your way, you can't resist. Sometimes, just tasting it again is worth the getting sick if it's just an "overflow" sick. Sounds dumb, but true for me. 1) OVEREAT: If I overeat, I will vomit. It's not like flu vomiting, I relate it more like the way a baby will spit up. It doesn't hurt. It's just overflows. 2) SWEETS: If I eat too many sweets. Dumping Syndrome, which I won't vomit, it's when the foot gets to the point of no return -it's reached my intestines, I think. I will have heart palpitations, get very warm, shaky, tired and there is nothing to do except wait about 45 minutes and it'll pass. I want to lie down and sleep. 3) FATS: (like #2) I will get sick if I eat anything greasy.. when I eat grease, I will vomit, sometimes several times. 4) TOO FAST: If I eat too fast. If I am over-hungry I sometimes do this. It will make me vomit. These times, I will usually vomit several times and nothing will stay down. 5) FATS & SWEETS: Creamy Ice cream is the absolute worst. Both sugar and fat.. Dumping syndromd is the worst. I am always leery about any milk products because of this. Usually low-fat milk products are no problem, but ice cream, which used to be my favorite thing, is now one of my least favorite things. 6) EAT & DRINK: Eating and drinking at the same time. Will cause the vomiting. 7) Sometimes, maybe once a year, and I haven't totally figured out why, I will get sick where it is not just the "overflow" vomiting. My stomach muscles are involved and it is a more violent type as if you have the flu. It is when I either overeat or eat grease or sugars or eat with liquids.. It's probably a combination of more than one or it may be when I take some medication before I eat. I need to figure this one out. 8) FIBROUS MEAT: I cannot eat fibrous meat. I have trouble with chicken that is not cooked to be very soft. I also cannot eat foods like ribs or other meats that are greasy or I will vomit.

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

I think it was very slow at first. I really don't remember.

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

I take B-12 shots at home, Take double prescription iron with intrinsic factor (easier absorption), double multi-vitamin, prescription vitamin D (I had a deficiency since I avoid milk products), double calcium citrate (better absorption.) I also like to add Vitamin C - I take my vitamins with an EMERGEN-C. During the first few years, I always drank protein drinks for breakfast, but after about 5 years of that, I got sick of drinking them and stopped. I think I eat enough protein myself now, since my yearly bloodwork has not shown any problems. I also had a period where I got sick of taking the vitamins. My first blook check-up was fine, but the second showed B-12 and Vitamin D deficiencies. I also was extremely tired and I felt bad. That is why I now take the B-12 shots and am faithful at sticking to the regimine. It's got to be done.

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 have a lot of hair, so even the hair loss was never a problem. It almost was easier! Like thinning it out. Dumping is the worst, and after 6-1/2 years still persists, but is avoidable. It's especially caused by eating rich ice cream or chocolate cancy. I learn as I go along to control myself, and I've found I can eat those foods that make me dump by just eating, for instance, lower-fat ice cream, or eating one or two chocolates. Then, I won't dump.

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

I will fill this in when the confidential button to the left will allow me to choose Yes.. It's very important, but I want it confidential. Part 2 & part 3 won't save my confidentiality buttons. 5/28/10

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

I attended a support group until it was dissolved.

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

I had open surgery and have a scar, but it is not bad after I had an abdominoplasty. My wonderful plastic surgeon made my scar look like it was inside of a stomach crease (it's hard to explain) but it is not very noticable.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I never even had a plateau. I began losing a lot in the first couple years, and then, I lost 10 lbs a year until I got 15lbs below my goal. Then, in the 5th year, I gained 15 lbs and now, I remain at my goal. It's probably unusual, but it turned out perfect.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People treated me as a "fat" person a lot different at work. I think I lost a job once because I was fat. I am taken more seriously now and it may be because I am more confident.