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

About 5 years ago I decided I wanted to check out the possiblity of bariatric surgery. I had people give me negative feedback on the surgery; my bosses brother-in-law died after having the surgery from complications. I did a lot of research about 3 years ago, but started having problems with my gallbladder, found out I had liver problems and was told by a surgeon to forget about having any more "elective" surgeries. I was so very disappointed.

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

I had no trouble at all with Federal Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Other than their requirement for a six month physician supervised diet prior to surgery, everything went without a hitch. However, it seemed the surgeon I chose was not a participating member for BC/BS, therefore I had to pay a big deposit with the surgeon prior to the surgery. Thank God for parents and a flexible spending account!!

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

First visit with the surgeon was so enlightening. Dr. Stegemann was full of information, giving me the pros and cons for myself and answering all my questions. I had attended a seminar that Dr. Stegemann gave so I got a lot more information on that night, but then got the one-on-one visit to confirm more information

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I continued to have some problems even after having my gallbladder removed. I had just gotten married, and was getting ready to move to San Antonio, so I was finding doctors in this area to continue my care. I found the most amazing gastrointestinal physician, and he asked me at a visit if I had ever considered bariatric surgery. Long story short - he got the ball rolling for me - made a referral (which was not required by my insurance) and my husband and I attended our seminar in August. Best decision I ever made!!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After talking with Dr. Stegemann I decided the Roux-en-Y was the best procedure for me. I didn't want to have to keep going back to have fills done with the lap band, and I knew I needed to lose about 200 lbs, just made sense to have the Roux-en-Y.

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 didn't really have any fears about dying until I had to complete a will prior to surgery, and then I started having some doubts. These doubts and fears were short-lived, I discussed them all with my husband and decided that if it was my time to go, then the Lord would take me anyway. If I didn't have the surgery, I was definitely going to die a lot sooner than I wanted to.

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 was great. My parents are both overweight, however, I have outweighed them for years. They were all for the surgery. My husband and my youngest daughter were also very supportive. Now that I'm 2-1/2 months out, they are all still very supportive. I haven't seen my parents in almost 2 months, so I can't wait to go see them again. I'm almost as small as my mom now, and my dad is the largest of the family!!!

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

My supervisor was supportive in his way. We had another lady in our office have the surgery in February (I had surgery in May) so he was pretty cool. I informed him I was going to have the surgery and that I would be out a couple of weeks. I was actually out 3 weeks mainly because I just wanted to be sure I was ready. The first couple of weeks I was very tired, so I spent the extra week just resting up.

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

My hospital stay was pretty uneventful. While I knew I would have complications from the anesthesia (and I was right), nothing out of the ordinary happened. I was admitted to the hospital on Tuesday morning, and was at home by 9:00 a.m. on Thursday! Make sure you take socks to walk in (or houseshoes) because you are going to be up walking!!

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

No complications. Everything was just fine!

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 only had 2 weeks after I got my surgery date. In that short time frame you just don't have too much time to feel anxiety. I had to make plans for my step-daughter to stay with my daughter so that my husband could be at the hospital with me and not to have to worry about her. I was very anxious to have the surgery, and I guess the morning of surgery I was a bit nervous, but I knew I had made the right decision for me. Lots of prayer went into my decision and the days leading up to the surgery!

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

I couldn't wait to get home from the hospital. I HATE hospital beds, and couldn't wait to get home to my waterbed.. I was in a lot of pain, except when I took the hydrocodone liquid Dr Stegemann prescribed. As I got up and moved about and started walking I got to feeling better. Don't expect to eat much, I hated the 2 weeks of clear liquids and mushy stuff. I couldn't wait to eat real food again, but when that time came, it just wasn't the same. Food no longer has a hold on me like it used to. Be prepared for your life to change in some ways you never thought of....

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

I had surgery here in San Antonio. I live on one side of town and the hospitals are on the other side (about 25 miles). This does not affect my aftercare at all. When I lived in a small town it was 40 miles to the "big city"....

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.

Things I couldn't eat (and mostly still can't) are anything sweet, bread, pasta, potatoes. I am now eating pretty much what I want, just a lot less of it!!! I get hungry about once a day, and a typical meal is 1-2 oz of meat and a vegetable. I still have problem with any kind of meat that is dry - like a roast and sometimes have problems with fish and chicken. Since I'm only 2-1/2 months out, tolerance is continually changing. I say try it, if it doesn't feel well, then wait a couple of weeks or a month and try it again!!!

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

At first it was really hard to get up and move around. I had been on an exercise routine prior to surgery, but I was having some problems with my knee and riding my bike has been very painful. So much so that I haven't been riding. Dr. Stegemann prescribed some Celebrex and I've been on that for a week now, and I am once again able to move a little. I've started using a glider and my bike. (And guess what - the weight has started to come off again - I had been stalled for about 3 weeks). I have joined the gym at WeightWise and am continuing to get better balance and agility as well as firming up my muscles

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

I take 2 multivitamins with iron a day, 3 calcium chewable tablets, and a sublingual B-12 tablet.

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 had my share of nausea and vomiting, but usually because I haven't chewed well enough, or ate too fast. Dumping syndrome only once or twice when I ate something I shouldn't have!! You learn... you learn... I am learning so much about how my pouch feels that I haven't thrown up in a couple of weeks. You cope by slowing down, and thinking before you put anything in your mouth!!!

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

The worst part was the Lovenox shots while I was in the hospital and the bruising that occurred and still occurs since surgery. I would do it all again tomorrow if I had to.

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

We have a monthly StapleMates meeting, as well as a four week class - Prescription for Success. Prescription for Success is a chance to get started in a smaller group setting with people just out of surgery. I have only attended one StapleMates meeting, but it is a necessity for keeping yourself on track!

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

The scars from the laparoscopic surgery are minimal - not a problem. Of course, I have scars from my previous gallbladder surgery, but they are almost invisible, so I'm sure these will disappear too.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

At about six weeks out, I stalled - for 3 weeks. I was devastated - thinking if I did all this for 30 lbs of weight loss, I was going to be very upset. I called Dr Stegemann and went in - he gave me the encouragement I needed, and the next day I had lost 3 more pounds. I have to learn to be patient - which I am NOT...

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Oh yeah... Since I just moved here 1-1/2 years ago, people here don't know me any other way than obese. But with the loss of 89 lbs, these people are noticing! My family and friends that have seen me since surgery - are amazed (as I am) I haven't been this size in 27 years - its GREAT... And I still have 100 lbs to go.... Just think how people will treat me then!!!