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

A friend of mine had the surgery last year. As I watched her progress through the pre-op and post-op, as I watched her gain a new life, as I watched her become truly happy with herself, I decided that I wanted the same.

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

I have Medicare from SS Disability. I did not even have to apply for approval. I was instantly approved.

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

The seminar I attended was well-done. Dr. DeWitt was very informative, patient, and great at waiting for and answering any questions the crowd had. At the initial office visit, I felt very comfortable speaking with Dr. DeWitt. He was very thorough in answering the few questions I had. He did not act as though he was rushed in any way, though I could see he was a very busy man. Be prepared to ask specific questions about the surgery, pre-op and post-op included.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

One word, PAIN. Too much unbearable pain, both physical and mental.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I read up on several types of surgery. RNY (Lap) is what Dr. DeWitt prefers, though he is very abled in all types. I prefer the less invasive Lap to the open procedure.

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?

Everyone has fears, they wouldn't be normal if they didn't. The thought of possible death crosses everyone's mind, as it did mine. My outlook is this, If I don't have the surgery, I'm going to die anyway, at a much younger age than an average normal life span. I have learned that the threat of death with this surgery, is no different than the threat of death from any surgical procedure...the chance is there. May God see me through it, Amen.

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?

At first, my family was skeptical...I'm sure they were thinking, they'd believe it when they saw it! They did not believe that I would be successful after surgery. There was/is doubt in their minds that even the surgery will not keep me from eating. They don't know me very well. They haven't realized that they eat as much if not more than I most times. Now that I have a surgery date, things have changed a bit. My father is taking before pics, and my brothers seem to be happy for me. They can't wait for me to be able to participate in things with them. My mother is happy too, but a bit cautious, and still somewhat skeptical. They're my family, and I love 'em.

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

Disabled

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

Hospital stay was a good experience. I have no complaints. I was in ICU for 2 days, and regular room for 2 days (total of 4 days in hospital) Most important items to bring; If you are what I call "extra large" like I am, you would want to bring some wet wipes for cleansing. The shower stalls in the hospital were not of sufficient size to fit me. I couldn't shower there at all.

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

I have complications with my high blood pressure, but this was due to not getting my medicine regulated prior to surgery. My advice is, if you have high blood pressure, and are on medication for it, visit your family physician to have him check on your BP and make sure the meds are doing the job correctly prior to having surgery of any kind. In ICU, the doctors put me on a different medicine, and regulated my BP before releasing me to a regular room.

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 was excited about having the date, and I was anxious as well. I was even hoping for a cancellation so that I could go in earlier! But, as the date drew closer, I became scared, unsure, and nervous about the whole thing. Talking to others on this website helped very much to ease this normal behavior.

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

Well, it's been 9 days since my surgery. I have been home from the hospital for 5 days. I have had no problem with the diet requirements, supplements, or walking. Riding in a car makes my stomach sore, in the surgery area. I have experienced no nausia Thank God! I have had no problem drinking my daily requirments of fluid. Something is going right for sure, I feel better, and as of today, I've lost 48 lbs!

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

Birmingham, AL is 90 miles north of my home in Selma, AL. The drive was never that bad, except for during early morning and afternoon rush hours. I would be sore from riding after each trip, a little rest, a little pain reliver, and I would be fine.

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.

Pre-surgery (2 day diet) was all liquids (Boy, that was the truly TOUGH part of it all!) The day of surgery, I had nothing. 2nd/3rd day after surgery I had water, flavored water, jello, and chicken broth. Friday morning, prior to leaving the hospital, I was given water and jello. On the way home, we stopped and got me a small order of mashed potatoes from a food place. I ate those mashed potatoes for supper Friday night, Breakfast Saturday Morning, and lunch Saturday. Boy what a change! LOL! I'm on the soft foods diet now, eating bananas, grits, scrambled eggs with cheese melted in..yum, oatmeal, etc. Of course, more jello, pudding, flavored water/sugar free and sweet tea sweetened with Splenda. I cannot have meats yet.

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

I have walked daily, at least 15 minutes. I am working up to longer walks now. At first, during the 15 min walk I would have to stop and rest a few, then continue (on treadmill). I am now 7 weeks out and walking for 15 minutes without stopping to rest.

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

Still taking the pre-natal vitamins. Biotin tums for calcium vitamin B-12 (shot given by doc to last one month) Update: 7 weeks out, have been taking Vitamin B-12 Sublingual once a week. Drinking Dr. Phils, and Carborite canned protein drinks.

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 have not experienced any of these side effects as of yet. Update: 7 weeks out-have still not had nausia, hair loss, sleep disturbance, or vomiting, dumping...thank God! But, I did drink an apple juice one time, on a road trip, and 5 minutes after I drank it, I was having to stop to use the restroom! I haven't had an apple juice since!

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

LOL, as I mentioned before, this answer MUST be the pre-surgery diet of nothing but liquids prior to surgery!

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

Birmingham offers the "STARS of WLS" support group. I email with different members, but have not made the trip to Birmingham to attend a support group meeting as of today, Oct. 11, 2004. I can see where the benefits of attending the group are worth it. I plan on attending as soon as financially possible. Sharing with others is a great way to help and benefit others, and feel that you are not alone in your journey.

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

I have 6 scars from laporascopic surgery. They are about an inch in length across. The wounds healed very nicely. I didn't know what to expect, but I am very pleased with the results. *update: 16 months post op scars are less noticeable, lighter in color, and smaller.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

The closest I have come to a plateau would be this past week when I only lost 6 lbs. It IS a loss, but a small one. This is my fault, as I did not walk much this week. The weeks I have walked faithfully, I have lost much more weight! I've learned my lesson! ;-) 10 months post op (I had about 3 weeks where I didnt lose or gain a ounce!...kinda depressing, but I continued on) *update: 15 months post op I had my first gain! Thanksgiving...go figure. I gained 8 lbs over a couple of days, and I was horrified! I was prepared at Christmas time...I was good! LOL

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I have not noticed people treating me any differently now. I have lost 100lbs as of 7 weeks/3 days out, BUT I am still morbidly obese, and persons close to me say they have noticed a change in my face. I have lost a lot in other areas as well, but I am still big. So, I guess they just can't tell yet. *update: 16 months post op weight loss = 270 lbs Yes! People treat me very differently. They are amazed at my progress, and always stop to tell me so. They want me involved in everything now, come do this and that, it's great that I am physically able to now. I expect things will continue to escalate in this area as I still have about 130-160 more pounds to lose (current weight = 350lbs)