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

I had a friend who underwent the surgery aprox. 2 years before I did. I had a knee jerk reaction against the surgery when I first heard about it as I didn't think it would help me because of my starvation mode weight retention (coining new term) I started researching the surgery shortly after on the internet, and as my degenerative conditions worsened, started looking at it as a serious option to back surgery as I have yet to meet a person who has had successful back surgery.

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

I was VERY surprised that my insurance went through as quickly as it did. I had to get a referral from my primary care doc, then see a psychiatrist. Upon getting the go ahead from the shrink, my insurance approved it. I had been treated for several years for degenerative joint and back problems. I think that had a lot to do with my rapid approval. I'm now hoping (100 lbs lighter than presurgery) to get this excess skin removed. I looked at that procedure as total vanity before, now, suffering from ongoing yeast infections in the skin fold, I WANT IT GONE!!!!! Hoping insurance company is as agreeable this time :x

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

I went in prepared with a list of questions. I strongly advise people to RESEARCH, the good, the bad and the ugly. This is a life changing surgery, there can be horrible complications, some people get so sick afterward they have to have the surgery reversed. Make sure you are certain about your decision, then make a list to take with you. Make sure you feel comfortable with your doctor, as this will become the most important person to your new life. Make sure you also feel comfortable with your doctors staff as they will be the people you need to 'get through' to get to your doctor. The list helps as you won't be fumbling around trying to remember what you wanted to ask as these doctors are VERY busy. Make sure YOU feel good about the doctor!!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When I found my activities being curtailed to a large degree due to pain and such. I lead a VERY active life, my joints hurt, my back hurt, and I knew if I didn't do something quick, I was going to be in a wheel chair by the time I hit 40. My doctor was talking back surgery and I've known many people who have had numerous back surgerys. It always seems they are going in for more, or to get fixed from the last one. I didn't want to go that route. After much research, I decided WLS seemed to be a safer, more effective route to slow the progression of my illnesses. My joints,back and degenerative conditions haven't improved much, but, they haven't gotten any worse either. The rate they were worsening pre surgery was very scary! This was one of the best decisions I've ever made, but folks REALLY need to make sure they read up A LOT and ask a lot of questions. Don't take any one elses word for it! Make sure you read the bad as well as the good! It isn't for everyone, and it isn't a panacea! I was VERY lucky so far, some folks aren't so lucky. Be a smart consumer!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

It was the only one my surgeon offered, and he is the only surgeon in this area to perform any type of WLS.

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?

RESEARCH!!!! and remember, each person is different! If you are very sickly and unhealthy pre-surgery, it might take longer to heal. If you don't follow your doctors advice, it could lead to complications. If you don't do your homework, you won't know what to watch for. If you do everything right, you might still have problems, and there will be changes no matter what, make sure you are ready for ALL of them, not just your different appearance. People, family, spouses, will all deal with you differently. You might find others being jealous of the attention you get. Your spouse might suddenly realize you are attractive to others and might not be able to handle it. The side effects are far reaching and not just physical. Don't be pressured into the surgery, do it because it is right for you! Or don't do it if you don't feel it is right.

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?

I was VERY very lucky in this. My husband was extremely supportive, my mother and father were there with me. They had all watched my degenerative disorders turn me into an old lady before my time and were hopeful that this could slow the progression. I was very upfront with all of them about the risks and possible complications. My husband and I have been married for 17 years, and he was TERRIFIED that something would happen while having surgery. We discussed this for months, and were both very avid readers on the subject. I would tell anyone considering this, be honest with your family, and remember, you are doing this for YOU not for anyone else.

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

I was out of work for aprox. 5 weeks. I returned a little sooner than I had thought at first, but I was feeling so good, I went back early. My boss was AWESOME. He let me come back half days for the first week to see how things went. He was also very helpful with my lifting restrictions ( I do a lot of heavy lifting at work) and with making sure I got my breaks on schedule so I could eat when I needed to. He doesn't mention the surgery at all anymore. THe only time he did mention it was when I got stomach flu last spring and lost 12 lbs. in 3 days from it. He told me I was going to get too skinny to see! LOL, gotta love him :)

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

I honestly had no idea how lousy I would feel immediately after surgery. I had hoped to come home in 2 days after the surgery. The staff at Sister's Hospital was very understanding though I think they are way overworked. Another patient who had undergone the surgery at the same time, waited all night for a blanket, she also wasn't told that she had to ask for oral pain medication. I told her to be a squeaky wheel. I brought a night gown from home and it helped me feel more normal. A friend brought some incense sticks which we couldn't light, but just their presence made the room smell less hospital-like. I would say bring slippers, and use them.. WALK WALK WALK! It helps you feel better and gets things moving faster after surgery. I ended up being there for 3 days right before christmas, and couldn't get out fast enough. I missed my kids and my home.

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

Honestly, I didn't have any complications. When I got home from the hospital, I felt so good, I probably over did alot. It did catch up with me, but I just felt tired. UPDATE: 10-17-02: almost 10 months post op, still no vomiting (knocks on wood) Had hairloss for about 2 months that scared me but it stopped. My energy level is where it was when I was 19 and a size 10! I'm down to a size 14 YAY! The one complaint I do have, my sex drive has dimished A LOT. We've always had a very active sex life, even while I was overweight....now it's like once a week, if that. Between my belly making funny sounds and just being worn out after running like a maniac all day, I just don't feel like it much anymore. Talking honestly about it with my husband has helped and he knows it's not him, he was worried that he had done something, or that I had lost interest in him with my new look. With that reassurance, he is able to handle the reduction in our 'fun' 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 scared to death as the date approached. I'd never undergone surgery before, so I didn't know how I'd react to the anesthesia. I ended up writing notes to family and friends in a notebook, as well as information on bills and stuff, just in case. This made me feel a little more in control and gave me some peace of mind incase the worst happened. In the hospital the morning of the surgery, I was cool as a cucumber, (no coffee does wonders ;x ) I actually fell asleep in my room waiting to be taken to pre-op.

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

DON'T DO TOO MUCH!!!! Its very hard for many of us to take it easy. I think we overweight people tend to try to do more because we don't want to look lazy. I had friends come in from out of state for the holidays. They arrived the day I came home and stayed for a week. They helped out around the house with cooking and barn chores, they were a godsend. I was cleaning my parrots cages and trying to act 'normal' as soon as I got home. I paid for it the following weeks. Listen to your body, give it time to heal. If you feel good, GREAT, but remember, you still just had major surgery, take it easy!! I was fortunate as I didn't have many problems adjusting to any foods. I still haven't vomited, though I did find that oatmeal makes me very nauseaous. I'm still working on getting my brain on the same page as my belly. My brain is pre-surgery, telling me that portion is too small... when I start eating, my belly quickly says "SLOW DOWN!!!" they are finally starting to work in sync. I was very worried that my healing wasn't going the way it should, I actually reopened my wound from laughing too hard at one point. It was very comforting to go to the surgeon and find that things were progressing well. Don't weigh yourself too often either, I started to get hung up on the numbers. Now, I only weigh myself once or twice a week, instead of once or twice a day. UPDATE: 10-17-02: Now weighing myself once a week or less, ya get too hung up on the numbers!

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

The hospital (Sister's of Charity in Buffalo, NY) is aprox. an hour drive from my home. The surgeons office is around the same distance. We had a horrendous snow storm which caused me to miss my 10 day post-op check up, I spent around a week worrying that there could be something wrong that I was missing and the doc. wouldn't catch because I had to miss the appt. This distance thing concerns me for other patients of Independent health as they will now have to travel to Rochester NY to find a participating surgeon. I hope Independent Health realizes the mistake they have made and rectifies it.

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 was on clear liquids the day I came home from the hospital. The next day, I started on 'cloudy' liquids. I probably started on soft foods a little too quickly, but I really missed chewing. I've been very lucky so far. I had the surgery a month ago yesterday and have been able to eat almost anything. I did have some problems with oatmeal, and developed a horrible fear of vegetables and other foods with fiber. I've been adding veggies to my diet slowly. I haven't experienced any vomiting so far, but I do find myself having bouts of nausea and diahrea if I eat things that don't agree with me. Whatever you do, DON"T drink while eating, at least at first. That's when I got into the most trouble. I can also feel food going down and landing in my belly which is a new feeling for me. Eat slowly and chew well, that's the best advice I can offer. It's funny how your tastes change post surgery. I hated water before, now I can't drink enough. I've also lost my taste for coffee.. maybe having a cup a day instead of the pot or two pre-surgery. Milk was another food I avoided, now I drink a glass a couple times a day. UPDATE: 10-17-02: DO NOT DRINK before, during or for at least an hour and a half after eating!!! I'm sure some of the old folks realize this, but this was a lesson I had to learn the hard way. Started eating more and more because I was getting hungry quicker. Was drinking too soon after eating and washing the food out of my pouch faster than I should have. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!!! I'm still having some veggie issues, no broccoli for this girl, but I'm finding I can eat most things now, I just go easy with new foods to see how they sit.

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

Right after surgery, I felt like I could take on the world (a bit gingerly, but still...) I went shopping for last minute xmas gifts, wrapped presents, took care of all my pets and such. About a week later, I got soooooo unbelievably tired, I felt as though someone had beaten me or something. I started having trouble sleeping so I resumed taking lortabs (but only half tabs) at bedtime which helped, but made me feel hungover in the morning. Aprox. 2 1/2 weeks after surgery, I started feeling very down. I knew this was normal which made it a little easier to bear. Fortunately, my husband was home on winter break, so he took care of the outside barn chores, but trying to cook and wash dishes and stuff became quite draining. I listened to my body at this point and started taking naps in the afternoon. I'm still feeling somewhat tired, but I'm trying to pay closer attention when my body tells me to rest. Not an easy thing to do though. UPDATE 10-17-02: Energy level is AWESOME most days! There's still a couple days a month (women understand this) when ya just don't feel like doing anything. But for the most part, I'm doing stuff I haven't done in years and feeling GREAT doing it!!! Went for a couple very long hikes and rock climbs this past summer, wouldn't have considered it the year before.

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

I found the regular one a day vitamins were too hard to swallow post-op. I've never had trouble swallowing pills before. I switched to childrens chewables with iron. I've been using a product called Metrx which is a protein supplement drink and also has tons of vitamins and minerals. I drink 8 oz to 16 oz. of this a day with 2 chewables. I know if I forget my vitamins as I feel very tired without them. UPDATE: 10-17-02: Stopped protein drink on advice from surgeon as it was giving me too many calories and I could get the protein I needed through eating. I'm still taking the chewables as well as a calcium vit. D supplement daily.

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'd say sleep disturbances were the worst for me. I found myself waking several times a night and pacing around the house. My bed was too uncomfortable so I slept in the recliner or on the sofa. I also stopped taking my back meds, which, when I resumed, that helped to some degree. I only had dumping syndrome once, I ate way too fast and thought I would vomit. I haven't noticed any hairloss yet, nor have I had any vomiting. UPDATE: 10-17-02: Hair loss set in around June, I was HORRIFIED!!! I have very long red hair which has always been my pride and joy. Imagine my distress finding clumps of it in the shower, on my brush, all over the house. Thankfully that only lasted around 2 weeks or so. It grew back fine and so far, no relapses!

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

Waiting for the surgery date. And, coming out from the anesthesia, that was a lot rougher than I thought it would be, the dry mouth, ewwww! Eye contact has become a rather odd side effect for me. I was so used to people not looking me in the eyes when I was heavy, now that they are, it almost feels intrusive or aggressive. Strange huh?

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

I haven't joined a group as I live far from the existing groups. The internet and friends have been the only support I've had. I think it would be nice to have a support group for WLS in my area, I'd probably go.

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

My scar is aprox. 6 inches long. At one month post op, it's flat with my skin and reddish. I've been using neroli oil on it several times a day and noticed an improvement within a few days of starting with the oil. I wasn't sure what to expect as I've never had surgery. There is a puckering near the bottom from when I reopened the wound due to excessive laughter...who said laughing can't hurt?!?!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

25lbs....I seemed to stay at 25lbs for EVER. (it was probably a week or less, but it seemed like longer) I almost panicked as I'm still afraid the surgery won't work.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet, though my husband says he can see and feel a difference.