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

I found out about this surgery from a newspaper ad placed by a doctor in California. Then I did more research and talked to everyone I could find that had had it done.

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

Make sure to get the necessary information to the right address. Make sure that the doctor's office send everything and then call them as often as necessary.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I'll be 50 on my next birthday and I don't want to spend the next 50 years (or whatever I have left) fat. I want to be at least a normal weight if I can't be thin.

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 haven't had any fears about complications or dying from the surgery because I have had 3 abdominal surgeries so I know what to expect. As far as dying, I'm to the point that I'd rather dye trying to get to a normal weight than to just sit back and wait to die from the fat and food!

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 family is apprehensive but supportive. They have been through surgery with me before. The way I explained it to them was to show them the pictures I had from the net and to let them know that I was doing this for my life, not to please or hurt them. This surgery is for my life.

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

I haven't told them, just said I had to have a repair surgery from a previous surgery. When the time is right for me, I will tell them. I've just told them that I had stomach surgery. Nothing about weight loss surgery. I don't want them to be expecting too much and I don't believe they need anymore information than that.

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

My stay a Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, CO was wonderful. All the professionals there are very caring, knowlegable and exceptional. I was in the hospital from 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday until 10:30 on Friday. The staff was surprised that I had gotten up on the first night of surgery and walked. I walked as much as possible. The most important thing to bring is the desire to get up and start walking. Even if it is a total of 10 steps the first time. And the desire to do what ever is necessary to succeed.

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 felt a little relieved. But I kept researching and studying. I went to my counselor, started attending a self-esteem group, and tried to get prepared for the life changes that were coming my way.

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

Mine were filled with people wanting to take care of me. I also discovered that it is very hard to get the protein and water necessary. I need to keep trying to eat more frequently, which is foreign to a die hard dieter like me. I think you should expect to rest, take it easy and do what the doctor recommends. As far as the eating, just take it easy. Go slow. I got some small forks (seafood forks) and spoons (condiment spoons) and that makes it easier to take small bites which makes it easier to not over eat.

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

I went about 400 miles. I had my staples removed by my pcp. I will be going to the surgen for a 3-week check-up. That way I won't have to do so much traveling. The aftercare following will require two days off from work so that my be a problem, but it will be worth it. I will continue to go the surgen as required because I have found that when following their instructions, I do better. I don't take over and do stuff that is wrong because I will have someone to monitor me that has more experience with this surgery.

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.

After two weeks I've found that potato soup was not great for me. I haven't found or tried too many other things because I don't want to mess this up. After 1 month, I'm having trouble with bread and some meats. I can eat hamburger, fish and lunchables ok. I haven't done as well with pork, chicken or turkey. It tends to get stuck. I'm having trouble slowing down on my eating. I eat too fast when I get too hungry, so then I just feel terrible. I've tried potatoe chips and they do ok, but I'm not going to eat to many for fear of undoing what I've done.

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

I felt good and wanted to do a lot but after a few days, I just felt terrible and that was because I just got too tired. I needed to remember that I had just had major surgery and you body needs time to heal. That means don't do everything that you think you can. After a month, I am still tired alot but don't hurt as bad when I walk. I've been trying to walk more and plan on getting in the pool within the next two weeks.

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

I take 1 vitamin B-12, 2 children's chewables and 3 Tums Ultra for calcium. As soon as the chewables are gone, then I'll take a regular multi vitamin like one-a-day.

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

So far (2-weeks out) it was the surgery itself. I know that it's going to get better I just need to give it time. I'm a very impatient person. Now after nearly one year, the worst part about the surgery process is fear that I'll fail - again. I've lost the weight and not gained any, but I don't feel that I'm in control, food still is and that frightens me.

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

Here where I live there is no support group, so I've been relying on the research I did. I hope to start a group during my recovery time. I started a support group and it has been very helpful. There are so many people who have had weight loss surgery. Because of the differences in procedures, doctors and people, there is a lot of support and information that everyone contributes.

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

My scar is just what I expected. It is from my breast bone to just above the naval, but I had one that went from about 3" above my naval to the bottom of my abdomen so now I have one that is almost the full length of my body. A small price to pay in my opinion.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

At about two and a half months I was in a plateau. I hadn't lost any weight for about 3 weeks and was thinking that I had messed this up too. But I kept reading posts about plateaus and just kept doing what the doctor advised and was very surprised when the weight started coming off again. I increased my activity some but just mostly thought that I was so much better at this weight that I'd be happy with this. I have since had another plateau and gone through the same thinking and I'm still loosing, not as fast as in the beginning but I have decided that 3-5 pounds a month is more than I was doing before surgery. I'm happy now with any loss and no gain.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

With 60# off people do treat me differently. I'm different too and that may be why I'm treated differently.