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

In 1993 after repeated pelvic surgeries. My first impressions were not good because I was told back in that time that I WOULD go to Intensive Care and I would be on a Ventilator and it scared me out of having the surgery until it became more commonplace. I ended up being roomates with a girl in the hospital who was being operated on for her 4th time by a bariatric surgeon and that really scared me.

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

I don't know for sure how this is going to work out or what I am going to owe when all the insurances have argued over the case. My primary is Medicare (Disability) and my secondary CareFirst. Doctors visits, lab work and tests have been paid for routinely but I have yet to see a hospital bill. I was told Medicare does not "pre-approve" any surgery or procedure. You have it done, then they decide whether or not to pay for it. It ended up I didn't pay a penny.

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

Very well. The doctor made a presentation that was easily understandable and he did NOT gloss over any possibilities of complications. Looking back, I would have gone over the message boards and picked some of the questions that patients are asking now that they've already had their surgery. It is nice to assume everything will go perfect, but you need to be prepared if they don't.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I fought for a solid year to "hold" my weight -- just not gain any. I got sick of writing down every morsel I put in my mouth just to have the scale not budge one bit. Because I am physically handicapped exercise to stimulate my metabolism was pretty much out of the question for me. In my case I saw it as my only option.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I might have liked the gastric banding, but it was NOT permanent and it most likely was NOT covered by insurance.

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 chose to think positively and reviewed all the complications that could arise and the ones I could control I took steps to control (such as blood clots). Make NO MISTAKE, this is HUGE surgery -- and you must do what you are told and even then things can go wrong. As far as fears, find comfort where you can...in fellow forum members and patients, but most important find an "Angel" who has already been through the surgery because they can help you the most.

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 is the BEST! I have picked and chosen who to tell and the ones I have not told I just said I was having "hernia surgery." My relationship with my friends has changed -- all 3 of my closest "girl" friends said things to discourage me and in the end it has changed the way I feel about them to some degree. Do NOT let someone who is not in your shoes tell you what to do with your life.

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

I am retired on service-connected disability from a local police department.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

I was glad I attended the seminar. Though it was somewhat confusing because there were pre-ops and new post-ops in the same room, and even some long past post-ops so the questions bounced back and forth...not a good situation for someone with ADD. Looking back the only thing I wish was done was my husband should have been there and the group had been for pre-ops only and it had been a SMALL group. The adjustment I imposed on my husband by my decision to have surgery was huge and thanks be to God we have a strong relationship because I can see why alot of post-ops are divorced in the aftermath of this surgery and not one word is mentioned about this. I didn't have an angel, and "borrowed" a friend's in tears one night when I realized what I'd done and how much I'd changed my husband's life without really running it by him. I felt so bad for him; he deserved to know ahead of time what was going to happen. He is still with me and I am the luckiest little girl in the whole wide world.

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

Being in the hospital during the week when all the other patients were having the same surgery was good. All the nurses and health care workers were on the same page. The most important thing I brought was my own bottle of Crystal Light because of all the crushed up medicines I knew I would have to take! If you have to be readmitted for observation, WATCH OUT! Mistakes will happen and YOU have to know the rules and remind the nursing staff you are a bypass patient.

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

I came home from the hospital with diarrhea which continued day and night for close to 60 hours before being readmitted for diarrhea and dehydration due to pancreatitis. In this instance "home remedies" did not work -- crushed up pill form "Imodium" and "Kaopectate" were like adding fuel to the flame! During this time I spent so much time in the lavatory that I did not get to eat or drink (nor did I want to).

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 saw the doctor in July of 2003 and had surgery 11-12-03 and in the meantime GAINED 10 pounds. Of course, everyone and their brother wanted to take me out to dinner and there was a birthday and anniversary tucked in there too -- but I am glad I got my ice cream because now I'm lactose intolerant and ice cream doesn't fit into my new life plan anyway :-) In a word I would say I sort of went food crazy near the surgery date and got to a point where I actually lost my appetite.

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

Well due to complications and being readmitted to the hospital, I've been slow getting my feet back under me. I am anemic and that zaps your strength. The only other problem I've had is fitting in all the meals and supplements and vitamins, and iron. You really do have to keep a schedule or it won't work out right. Write down when you eat and when you can start drinking again and which supplements you took!

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

I live in Maryland and had surgery in Fairfax, VA (25 miles). This has affected some of my aftercare in that I prefer to go back to my "home" area and have blood work done and in my case a follow-up MRI, but you run the risk of the results not getting to the doctor. You have to make sure your test results are there before you GO to the doctor, or you're going to be wasting a trip.

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 just have not been able to tolerate any meat so far. Pureed tuna did not do well, and mayonnaise (even though low-fat) seemed to upset my stomach. I have become lactose intolerant. Milk is hidden in EVERYTHING and you really have to read labels.

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

Limited, but then again I am handicapped.

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

Calcium Citrate (liquid or wafers), Centrum "Kids" Complete, Vitron-C Iron Supplement, B-12, plus Protein Supplement "Unjury."

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?

So far the only problem I am still having is trouble sleeping and nausea and I am STILL having episodes of troublesome abdominal pain. As far as coping with them...well, let's just say I'm glad I don't have to be at work at 8:00 a.m. any more!

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

Being readmitted to the hospital. I was scared and worried that I had done something that may have shortened my life instead of improving it.

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

I am seeing an individual therapist and I think she has been very supportive and helpful.

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

About 5-inches. Looks good to me! It's right down the midline and is healing nicely and in a year it probably won't even be noticeable.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Sometimes my weight has "bounced up" by a pound here or there, but it always goes away and overall the trend has been DOWN, Yeah!!! I think when it goes up, it is where I've been dehydrated and I'm starting to get the fluids back in me. I know it's not coming from what I am eating!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yeah, that's discouraging isn't it? I am the same person INSIDE, just nobody took the time to look at me because I wasn't "eye-candy." I am saddened because I know alot of people out there are being subjected to this same treatment and it upsets me.