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

I had been out dancing and saw a woman who looked so pretty and so happy. A friend of mine knew her and told me that this woman had had wls and that she used to be very over weight. I started to look into the type of surgery she had and talk with other people and talk with a surgeon.

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

I did not have any problems getting insurance approval. My doctor's office handled this.

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

It was a very positive experience. The way to get the most out of this meeting is to ask questions and to listen to the answer from the doctor.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I decided that I had to either have the surgery or accept myself as being super over weight. I did not want to accept myself that way and made the decision to have the surgery.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon recommended the procedure and I accepted his recommendation.

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 had the normal feelings of fear but somehow I knew that I would have this surgery and come out of it all right. I had had surgery previously and knew the "ins and outs". I guess I had decided on the surgery and felt it was the right decision for me and somehow just felt everything would be okay.

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?

My husband has alwalys wanted me to lose weight. He was afraid I would die too soon. He would kind of waffle back and forth as to whether or not I should have the surgery. I think he was more nervous about the surgery than I was. I had my surgery quite far from where I lived and flew to the city where I had the surgery. When I got back, my husband became very panicky. He was in a state of panic probably for about 1-2 months after the surgery. Once I was feeling better and able to do things again, he seemed better. My two children, ages 6 and 8, were very supportive.

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

I was unemployed at the time of the 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. My first two days were in ICU and I received very good and attentive nursing care. The next three days were on a regular floor. The nursing care was okay. I really only bothered the nurses when I had to. The most important things to bring - I guess cosmetics and any toiletries, a robe and slippers, and possibly a magazine or a book (but I really didn't feel much like reading). I think the television was my best companion. I just kept flipping channels.

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

I had the surgery a long ways from where I lived. I flew home one week after the surgery. After I got home, I started running a fever. I talked with a doctor in my home town and went to her office and she and I alsos talked with my surgeon via long distance. My surgeon had some additional tests ran and everything checked out okay. I was put on an antiobiotic and ffter about 9 days, the fever stopped. Then, I felt fine. Having the tests done that the surgeon recommended put my mind to rest that I was having problems from the surgery.

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

After the surgery date was set up, time passed so rapidly that before I knew it the surgery was here. I admit that the worst time was at night after I went to bed. But, I just felt I was doing the right thing and that time would pass and it would be done.

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

The first weeks home are hard. I came home to a messy house -- every available space in my kitchen had dirty dishes, every item of clothes, towels and linens were dirty. I just tackled things a little bit at a time. My husband got more helpful after I got home but he would get angry because I wasn't feeling well and couldn't do it all. But, the time passes and before I knew it I was back to normal. So, my advice to anyone would be to just go slow and take it easy. Try not to over do.

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

I traveled from Denver, Colorado to southeastern Washington. I'm not sure of the exact mileage. My local family doctor was not too thrilled when I went to her office for assistance as she really knew very little about the surgery I had. But, my surgeon (who was on vacation my first week back) and his office stayed in touch and were very helpful - via long distance.

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.

For about the first three or four months after surgery, anything I ate didn't taste right. I had trouble swallowing medicine and vitamins. I started out with liquids, then soft foods and probably by about two months after surgery I started eating most things. I find this odd but Mexican foods were what I tolerated best. Even to this time, I tolerate Mexico foods really well. I eat chicken, fish, and ground beef. I haven't enjoyed pork of any kind and find that two bites of steak once every great while is okay and doesn't cause me problems. I haven't had any trouble with fruits or vegetables either. Last night I wanted a snack and could have had cookies but preferred a cut up apple. That's a first!

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

I could walk just fine. In the first few weeks, I found that taking pain medicine was helpful. But then, I realized I didn't need pain medicine. By three weeks I was able to resume most household chores, but just did them slowly.

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

I take a prenatal vitamin, an iron pill, calcium drops, and protein supplements daily (or try to do take them daily, without forgetting). I have some B-12 drops to take sublingually and try to take them ever few days or so. At first I wasn't taking the protein supplements and starting have hair loss and felt I was retaining a lot of fluids. But drinking more water and the protein supplements seem to have made a difference.

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 had hair loss about 4-5 months after surgery. My hair got pretty thin but I didn't go bald. Once I increased the protein, it started coming back slowly. After the surgery, I had some nausea for about 3 months - kind of like mild morning sickness. But, it went away. I have found that if I eat too much or eat beef or pork, I get gas pretty bad. I also find that I have about three bowel movements every morning.

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

I really can't say there was a worst part. I just took everything a day at a time and each day got better. I have no regrets.

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

My "support group" has been reading the message board and the questions on the AMOS website. I have learned so much from others. My surgeon's secretary (who is also my niece) has been very helpful, also.

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

My scar runs from my bra line down to just below my belly button. It is just your basic surgery scar. I know that it will fade and become paler in time. I had had previous surgery and knew what the scar would be like.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have been on a plateau on and off for two months. I've increased my water intake and my protein supplements. This seems to have made a difference. I'm planning to start walking and know that one month from now I will see a loss.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. I had applied for two secretarial jobs when I weighed about 270. I was very qualified but did not get the jobs. I very much believe I did not get them because I was too fat. I applied for a job back in June (weighing 200) and got the job. I probably would not have been offered the job if I hadn't lost the weight. I was in a grocery store a while back and a man actually flirted with me.