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

I had heard about it for years, but never knew anyone that had it and I never did any research on it. A friend at work had several friends that had undergone the surgery and she had been talking about it. Initially, I was scared. I starting watching every program I could about the surgery and people who had it . The mortality rate, though it is low, scared me to death. I was encouraged by my allergy doctor to check into it. After going to orientation and a support group meeting and talking with people who had the surgery, I was convinced it was for me.

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

I did everything my doctors office told me to do. I applied with Humana and received the approval within a few weeks. It was relatively painless for me because my doctors office was so prepared and up to date on what each insurance plan required to get approval.

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

I met with his physicians assistanct and she answered most of my questions. When the doctor came in, he bascially reviewed everything she had gone over, so there was no questions left unanswered. My surgeon works with a group of doctors that provides pre surgery meetings about health, nutrition, etc, as well as, information on the surgery. So by the time I had my first visit with the doctor, I was well informed about the surgery and the issues related to it and my recovery. The most I can say is just to be prepared with your questions and make sure you get the answers.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The results I saw with the post surgery patients. No matter what complications they endured, they all would do it over again. It convinced me.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

There was never any question for me. I knew from the start that I would not be as successful with the lap band and that the lap band patients that I have met took a lot longer to lose the weight, some did not meet their goal and many gained the weight back. I knew it had to be quick and that I would see the results sooner and liked the fact that I would be forced by my body to avoid things that I craved, like sugar.

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?

The only fear I really had was dying. I actually talked to a couple of male post sugery patients that had almost died. Both of them were extremely happy with the results and said regardless of the complications and near death issues, they would do it again. I also checked out my surgeon and felt confident in his past records. The information I received from his office staff helped me to understand some of the problems that can arise if I didnt do what I was supposed to do. Some of the deaths are caused by the patient just not following direction from the surgeon and doing what they are supposed to do. I would just say follow all the rules and directions that you are given.

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?

They wanted me to lose weight but they were scared. Everyone told them not to let me do it. The best thing I could do was to take my husband to a post surgery meeting. Once he talked with the post surgery patients, he understood why I was convinced. I dont think I would do anything differently. It worked for me the way I did it. They are all extremely happy for me, cant believe how I have changed physically and mentally about my new appearance.

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

The same as my family, scared. Everyone is scared from the lack of knowledge. Now that they see how far I have come and how happy I am to be here. They are all happy for me. I was honest with everyone at work. I did not hide anything about my decision. I let everyone know from the beginning. Once I made the decision, I kept everyone informed. I still tell everyone as I progress with the weight loss. It has encouraged some to look into it and others to encourage family and friends. I was out of work 6 weeks.

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

I had surgery on Tuesday morning. I hated being in the hospital and on Wednesday, begged my surgeon to send me home. I was released on Thursday around noon. I just dont like hospitals and dont want to me away from home. I like my house, my family, my animals and my own bed. I really didnt have to bring anything other than my support person, my husband.

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

No. I was extremely blessed. God definitely protected me and kept me safe during the surgery and after.

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 scheduled my surgery for 2 weeks after I go approval. I was so busy at work trying to get things done that I really didnt have time to have any anxiety. I was so prepared and focused on the surgery and how it would change my life, that I really can honestly say I did not have aniexty. I also put my trust in the fact that God would take care of me and he did.

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

A lot more pain that I had prepared myselt for. I had the laproscopic surgery. I had my gallbladder removed a couple years prior and had prepared myself for the same type and duration of pain. Didnt happen that way. The pain was intense and lasted for 2-3 weeks. The meds were definitely needed and helpful. Once the pain issue resolved, I had some issues with my emotions. I had some eating issues. It seemed like everything, even the liguids, caused me to dump. At first, I wondered what I had done to myself. I cried alot. But once I got over that, the weight started dropping off, the eating issues got better and better and now I know that it was the right decision for me and I would do it again if I had to. The best thing I can say is just to keep your support close. My family, friends and coworkers helped me get through it all. I could not have done it without them.

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

15 miles. No problems. For me, I can travel the interstate most of the way.

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 tried to be very careful and follow the program I was given. I tried not to try anything that wasnt allowed. I did not try to eat anything in advance of the time I was advised to add it to my diet. It was hard and still is hard. I had a hard time with dumping. Liquids, soft foods, it didnt matter. The liquids were hard because mentally you want the food that you are used to eating. As I graduated to the thicker liquids, soft foods, etc it progressively got better and I was able to tolerate more and more foods. For me, the meats are still mostly off limits. My surgery was 3-28-06. I still only eat one or 2 bites of meat at a time. Even that is only occassionally and only if the meat appears to be extremely moist. I still have a minor problem with dumping and it is only caused when I try to eat meat. Consequently, I just try to avoid meat. Which is realy hard because rare beef was my favorite food prior to the surgery. I can eat just about everything now except the meats.

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

The first 4 weeks I basically was a couch potato. I did not feel up to doing anything. I made myself walk to avoid blood clots. I watched food netword and tried to make myself get hungry. I really didnt want to eat anything but knew I had to or I would get sick. After about the 4th week, my emotions started to get better, I was feeling better and I tried to get up and do more and more everyday. I even took a short trip the 5th week just to get away and get a change of scenery.

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

Daily mulitvitamin, calcium. Bi weekly B12 shots. I started loosing my hair and started taking zinc and biotin which really helped alot. Because I had issues with eating, I wasnt getting the protein I needed, thus the hair loss.

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?

For me it was and is still the dumping which includes the nausea and vomiting and severe pain in between my breasts at the breastbone area. I have improved a lot and now it only happens on occasion. Sleep distrubance was the least of my problems. I had already been taking Celexa for stress and I was advised to continue taking it, so I think it helped me. I have had to change to Welbutrin now, which has helped with sleeping and emotions. The hair loss was the 2nd big issue. I have always had thin hair but a lot of it. I have lost a lot of volume to my hair and that still bothers me. I still lose some hair, but since I have been able to get in the protein and the additional of the zinc and biotin, that issue is greatly decreased.

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

I think the immediate weeks after surgery. You have just come through major life changing surgery, you cant eat and dont want to eat, the emotions are running high, you are in pain, you dont know what to expect next, etc, etc....... I can honestly say that out of the entire process from beginning with orientation through today, the 2 weeks after surgery were the worst for me and I will never say that was a bad time in my life because the surgery has given me a whole new lease on life.

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

I go to a monthly meeting with people who have just had the surgery to some who had it 3-5 years ago. Everyone has something to contribute. They have a guest speaker, doctor, nutritionist, plastic surgeon, etc. It has been very helpful since I started going. I have met a lot of nice people who are just like me who are dealing with the same issues of post surgery. The biggest hurdle was going the first time.

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

5 small scars about 1 inch each. They do not bother me at all and as time goes on, they are fading and getting more and more unnoticeable. Since I already had the gall bladder surgery, I expected what I got.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I plateau all the time. I will get to a point and it seems like I stay there for weeks without moving or kind of fluxuate 3-5 lbs in both directions. Then all of a sudden I drop another few pounds meeting another goal. At first, I got a little depressed when I plateaued but once I realized what was happening I just take it in stride. I have noticed that exercise whether it be walking, the treadmill, etc. makes a big difference.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Definitely. People who never talked to me or would just say, hi, are now stopping me to comment on my weight loss. I am more outgoing and people react to that. I have a lot of people who are my cheerleaders, especially at work. I could not survive without them.