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

My primary doctor sent me to an endocrinologist (sp) to see why I couldn't keep weight off and to get some help with my weight. He ran all kinds of tests and most everything was normal. He was the one that suggested that I see a surgeon for weight loss.

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

I had a fairly good insurance experience. I was approved 4 weeks after the original paper work was sent in. My long waiting period was due to my health and complications that I have had.

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

I was so nervous and didn't really know what would be taking place. I was not as prepared as I should have been. I wish that I had taken a list of questions along with me. Basically he just talked to me and he looked at my tummy. On the second visit I went being much more prepared and he discussed what he was going to do and then gave me time to ask my questions. I feel very comfortable with Dr. Murr.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Bottom line.... It was my health. I have every co morbidity that there is. And all but 2 have happened within this last year. Once I got sick it was downhill. I ended up having blood clots in both legs two times and was told I couldn't work. That was it for me.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Discussed it with the surgeon. And I researched and researched for hours upon hours.

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 have been told that I am a walking timebomb, that I am dying and within 5 years I will be dead. So, I have no fears going into this surgery. If it prolongs my life by 1 day It will be worth it. If I die from this surgery then I died fighting and would want everyone to know I was fighting. I have a great faith in my God and know that I will be ok.

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 am really a very blessed person. My family and friends have all been extremily supportive of my decision and have stood by me through the surgery and now recovery. I know that they will be there for me always. And, I will be there for them.

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

I have been on disability for the last year so this part does not pertain to me.

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

Well I was in the hospital for 14 days. My surgery went just fine but I had problems with being taken off of the ventalator and problems breathing after the surgery. I was in recovery for 36 hours and ICU for 21/2 days. My oxygen level and blood pressure kept dipping into the very low and dangerous numbers. I had the best care anyone could possibly receive at Tampa General. The most valuable thing that I brought with me to the hospital was my little fan. It was a life saver for me.

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

I had no complications from the surgery just those from previous medical conditions.

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 had waited over a year to get approved and get a surgery date. I felt so much relief and was very happy. I spent one week questioning myself, but my answers always come up the same, Have the surgery. I spent a lot of time in the chat room.

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

My first few weeks home from the hospital, I found that I needed more help than what I thought I would. My sister had to help me bath and help clean me after toileting. Eating was a challenge. I didn't want to eat or drink and it was hard remembering all the new rules. I still had a lot of medications so that was hard to getting all them down. Its now 11 weeks post op for me and every bit of it has been worth it. This is not an easy way out.

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

20 miles to Tampa.

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.

Meat of any kind has been the main thing that I can not eat and tolerate very well. If I vomit it is usually from trying meat. Other food I have been able to tolerate pretty well. I usually will know before I eat if I don't want it. Sometimes I think I want a certain food, then when I look at it and get ready to eat it, I just plain don't want it. I have had not one craving for sugar or sweets. I have had cravings for salty things and have managed that by getting some sunflower seeds. Im in my 5th month now and can pretty much eat anything without a problem, but have to remember my intolerance of meat.

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

I was homebound and could hardly walk before surgery. As my weight has come off I could start doing more and more. I am in my 5th month now and can walk a mall from end to end and spend a day at Busch Gardens walking the park. These are tremendous accomplishments for me

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

I take a multivitamin every day. I take calcium every day and get a Vitamin B12 shot every month.

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?

My second month was worse for the nausea and vomiting but by the 3rd month that had decreased to just an occassional episode. At the very beginning of my 3rd month I started losing my hair. My hair has thinned out quite a bit. I use a special shampoo and my doctor suggested taking zinc for the hair loss and to eat all the protein I could.

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

Waiting for my approval was the worst part emotionally for me. It took 13 months from the time I first started till I had surgery. It was a very stressful time. Physically being in the hospital for 14 days and being in ICU was frightening but tolerable because I has such good care. Since I have been home, only good things have happened to me.

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

I go to a support group started in the area I live by a person who had WLS. This support group has become a very important part in my life. I have made new friends and can share at the meetings, knowing that the others really do understand. I wouldn't give up my support group for anything.

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

My scar is 13 inches long. I was 487lbs to start with. It goes from my breast bone to my tummy button. At this time its starting to fade some. It doesn't bother me at all, I am proud to show my scar and it is a reminder of everything I went through.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am in my 5th month now and so far have not had any plateau's. I only weigh once a month so that I won't get obsessed with watching the scales. I hope that I can continue to weigh just once a month and not get sucked into the numbers game. 8-15-01 This is my one year anniversary for my surgery and I am continuing to weigh myself monthly. I have lost weight each month and continue to go down. I've now lost 181 lbs and have about 130 to 140 left to go. I might have had plauteaus but weighing monthly helps me to not really see them and worry about them.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Im 5 months out now and have lost 114lbs. I have another 200lbs to go so right now people still see me as an obese women. The people I know treat me the same as they always have. 8-15-01 Now, one year out and minus 181 lbs I am starting to notice that people are looking at me differently. I just started college and notice that even the guys smile and say hello to me. Now thats a new thing for me!