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

I first heard about this surgery from my pediatritian. I had been going to him since I was 6 and he had been helping me with my weight struggle. We tried everything from special diets to diet pills. Each thing we tried worked at first, but after a few months I gained all of the weight back plus more. Until he took me to a seminar on this surgery. My first impressions were that this was a very drastic measure that I needed to be 110% sure of before I did it. I was scared and leary at first, but I trusted my doctor 100%.

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

My experience was not bad at all. My insurance covered this surgery, so it only took one day to get approved once they got all of the information. This is the tricky part. This took a couple months. They lost all of the information the first time, and it all had to be sent to them. I called them everyday until they got all of my information together. Then once they had my information I called about seven times that day. Needless to say I was approved that evening. After working at an insurance company my advice to anyone would be to make yourself their worst nightmare. CALL, CALL, CALL. The more you pester them, the faster things are going to get done. If you wait for them to call you, you may never get that phone call.

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

My first meeting was only a about ten minutes long. He told me what he was going to do,what I needed to do, and answred some of my questions. The best way to get the most out your first meeting is to write down all of your questions and concerns. This will help you remember what you want to ask.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

This was a huge milestone in my life. This is the first decision that I had made on my own, without the help of others. I realized that I had exhausted all of my options and if I did not do something I was going to die by the time I was forty. I have many goals and dreams that I would like to accomplish. The thought of death interfearing with this is what made me decide to have this surgery.

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

My stay in the hospital was okay. I son't like to beconfinded to a bed so I ws up walking as mucch as I could. The first couple days were rough. I had never had a major sugery and was in for a rude awakining. I was only there for 4 days. But while you are in the hospital, you have to realize that you have no modisty. I think that the most important thing to bring with you would be the support of your family and friends. This will do more for you than any material item that you can bring.

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

No, I was luccky not to have any complications from surgery. I think that going into the surgery with such a positive outlook is what helped me get through without many side effects.

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

At first I was just elated to be home. But then reality set in, I was unable to do the things I was used to doing for myself. It took my about three weeks to get back on my feet and become somewhat normal again. Talking to people who had already gone through this is what kept me sane. I knew that what I was experiencing was normal and nothing to worry about.

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

The first few weeks are amazing. You havve so many emotions all at once. I was excited, scared, frustrated, and everything all rolled into one. The hardest and mosttring is the diet you must be on when you first get home. Having to watch your family members eat regular food while you eat jello is tough. It makes you wonder if the rest of your life is going to be like this. The pain can also be frustrating, but each and every day it gets easier. The first 2 weeks I lost 20 pounds nad that made it all worth it.

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

I had to travel about half and hour. This was not as bad as I thought it would be. Maybe I was jsut so gald to be out of the hospital. I just held my stomach and I was on my way.

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.

The first couple weeks I lived on cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, jello and grilled cheese. Needless to say I still have not eaten them again. At first I was scared to death to try new foods because I did not want to get sick. I tried pizza, and some other soft foods. My dad and I spent hours trying to find sugar free ice cream and popsicles. After talking to peole who had had the surgery I realized that I do not have to miss out on the good foods we all love to eat. I just have to eat them in moderation. I can eat a regular popsicle and be fine, fruit is the besst thing to get sugar from. I am still in the process of trying new things, but my fears of getting the dumping syndrome are subsiding somewhat. I would say try a few bites and if you feel fine in about twenty minutes go for it. I am amazed at the things I can eat. I thought I would have to give them up forever. :)

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

My activity level at first was low. I had to let my body heal before I could do anything. I would walk half way down the street come in and go to sleep. Now I am seven weeks post op and I can walk two and a half miles in about forty minutes. This is after working eight hours in a daycare. When I get home from my walk instead of being tried and lathargic, I feel confident and revitalized. I have a feeling that I can accomplish things I never dreamed of. It is amazing how much more energy you have after losing about 40 pounds.

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

I take a one a day maximum vitamin. If you don't take your vitamins you will start to feel run down.

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 never had any nausia or vomiting. I was so scared to throw up that at first I took it real eaay on everything. If I ate too much or ate something that did not agree with me I would have diarreha. I still get this on occasion, but it is a small price to pay, and it does not last but about 10 minutes. Also if I try to eat to fast or I don't chew my food as well as I should I will feel as thought it is stuck in my throat. I also get this if I try to drink to much or to fast. But don't worry I can still manage to cchug my water when I am walking. :)

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

I think that the worst part was the test that I had to have about 20 hours after surgery to see if there were any leaks. This test made berrium taste good. It was the same test but with a diffent type of fluid, and the fact the I had an incision from my breast bone to my elly button made the pain even worse. I was not used to drinking yet, let alone chugging some fluid that tasted worse than anything I had every drank. Thank God there were no leaks. I don't think I could have done that test agian. YUCK!!!

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

The main after care support I have is my family and friends. Without the help of them I don't know where I would be. I have not gone to any support group meetings because I live so far away. I am however still talking to people who have had this surgery. They are my best support. I ask them questions and get honest answers. I think that it is very important to have at least one buddy who has had this surgery so you can be assurred that what your are going through is normal.

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

I have been told that my scar is one of the best ones yet. It goes from my breat bone to my belly button. I am only seven weeks post-op and the bottom of my scar is almost gone. The top of it however is what I am disappointed in. It is raised somewhat, but this is from using my stomcah muscles. I have been rubbing cocoa butter on it twice a day to help it heal. I also have to small circlar scars. One from my feeding tube and one from my drain tube. Is it what I expected, I don't kno yet. If it is almost gone in a year or two I will say yes. If not, I will have to deal with it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had one about five weeks after surgery. It only last about a weeks, but it ws somewhat frustrating. i would advise everyone ot take you measurements with a tape measurer. When I plateaued I meausred myself and found that I had lost eight inches off my stomach. This will help you get through the plateau and keep up the hard work.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet. I am getting several compiment from my friends and family. This is nice and I have a hard time accepting compliments. I know that people are going to start treating me different and I know that it is going to be difficult, but a good difficult.