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

In 1995 I met a woman who had surgery in the early 1990's. I didn't think about it much then. After Carnie Wilson had her surgery I took more interest but didn't do much other than read about it. I finally made up my mind last year after I personally met some people who had the surgery and I talked to my primary physician.

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

I first met with my primary physician in April 2004. I was referred to my surgeron and 1st met with him in June 2004. My insurance required a 6 months physician supervised weight loss history so I had to be weighed at my primary physician's office once a month from June thru November 2004. I had my 2nd appointment with my surgeon in December 2004. My paperwork was submitted to my insurance company in December. I was denied on the 1st attempt because they left out the letter from my primary phsician detailing my 6 months check-ins. After that was submitted I was approved. I found out the last week of January that I was approved and my surgery date was scheduled for 2-18-05. My pre-op work was scheduled for 2-11-05. The worst part for me was just waiting for the process to run its course. In the end I really had no problems. My hospital co-pay was $100. I did not have any other co-pays. When I started the process in 2004 I had to pay a $300 fee at my first appointment with my surgeon. It was not covered by insurance. I also had six $15 co-pays for the visits to my primary physician during the 6 month observation. I also had to pay $75 to the psychologist I had to see as part of the approval process. In all I can't complain. My surgery bills totaled roughly $50,000.

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

When I got the date for my 1st visit with my surgeon I received a packet in the mail. It contained an informational letter and a lengthy questionnaire for me to complete. It was mailed back prior to my appointment so that Dr. Watson had all my information before he saw me. At my appointment Dr. Watson discussed the various surgeries, complications, results, and the things I would need to complete before I could submit my request to my insurance company. I had already done a lot of research and new the questions I wanted to ask. I can't stress how helpful the information I had gathered before hand was to me. I had already made my decision to have the surgery before my first meeting with Dr. Watson.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

As I said, I had made my mind up before I even met with Dr. Watson. I have been overweight all my life and had tried about every diet known to man. I met several people who had the surgery and I decided that if I wanted to end my continuous battle I would have to do something more drastic than jumping on the band wagon of every new diet that came along.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I knew when I made up my mind that I would have gastric by-pass surgery. The gastric band didn't appeal to me. My surgeon specialized in the laproscopic version so the decision wasn't really difficult.

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?

Like any normal person I worried about complications and death. I reasearched the surgery alot and prayed about it. By the day of my surgery I just had a feeling that things would be fine. No worries.

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?

In the beginning I did not tell anyone other than my best friend and my husband that I was considering the surgery. After my surgery date was scheduled I told only 2 other people. I did not even tell my mother until the day before surgery. My father on the other hand new a couple of weeks before.

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

I did not tell my employer anything other than the fact that I would be off from work because I was having "abdominal surgery". Any paperwork I had to complete to satisfy central office I faxed to them. In my opinion anything concerning my health and personal life is none of my supervisor's business. I took 6 weeks off from work. I could have returned after 4 but I had the time and decided to start back at the beginning of the month and not the middle.

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

I was in the hospital for 3 days. I went in on Friday morning and was discharged on Monday afternoon. I didn't have any complications from the surgery. My blood pressure ran a little high after surgery but that was it. I had a morphine pump with the push button so pain was not really an issue. The worst part for me was the fact that I started my period the morning of surgery. I wasn't sure what to pack but I brought a couple of my own gowns plus toiletries. I wear contacts but didn't bother with them. I knew I wouldn't feel like fooling with them and I was right. I ended up not wearing my gowns either.

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

No complications.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

It was only 2 weeks after I got my date before I had surgery. At that point I was just anxious to get it done and over with. I had already made up my mind and put my fears at rest so I didn't really have any issues other than it felt like the day couldn't come fast enough.

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

I didn't have any continuous pain but felt really sore. I had to be careful when I sat down or got up because I would experience sharp pain in my left side. I was told that it was because that was where my largest incision was located and it was where most of the work was done. That pain subsided as the weeks passed and at about week 4 it was completely gone. At that point I started going to the gym. I was given a prescription for liquid Lortab when I left the hospital. I think I took it a total of 3 or 4 times - all of which were at night before I went to bed.

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

I live about 40 minutes from the hospital I chose. It did not have any affect on my aftercare. I went back to my doctor to have my staples removed a week after I left the hospital. I did not drive because it was still painful to turn to the left and I thought it was really a safety issue in regard to driving.

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 I came home from the hospital I drank protein shakes and other liquids. I love boiled custard and egg custard so my Aunt made both of them for me. She used splenda in place of sugar since I didn't know if I would be able to tolerate sugar. Once I started eating soft foods I ate salmon, chicken and eggs for protein. I also ate tuna and crackers. I took it really slow and didn't have any problems. I eat regular food now. I still drink protein shakes for breakfast - basically because it is quick and convenient. Lunch and dinner are basically very small portions of regular food. I can eat sugar but foods high in fat like hot dogs make me feel nauseated. Hamburger was the one thing I was worried about eating. I have eaten spaghetti with meat sauce and chili and neither of them have bothered me. I even ate some chinese for my daughter's birthday on April 1st.

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

The first couple of weeks I was home I didn't do much other than move from the bed to the couch to the rocking chair. I have a bed that is really high off the floor and I had to have help getting into bed. It took 3 weeks before I could do that by myself. I didn't start going to the gym until about 4 weeks out. At that point I walked on the treadmill or used an eliptical trainer. By week 5 I had added weight machines.

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

I take 2 children's vitamins, 2 tums, and a prevacid each day. I also take liquid B-12 drops every other day.

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 haven't had many problelms with side effects. I have only been nauseated a couple of times. I experienced dumping once after I ate some really spicy hot spaghetti sauce (no meat but a lot of peppers in it). I have had several nights where I haven't been able to sleep. I had that problem before so I cannot say for sure that it is a result of the surgery.

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

For me the hardest part has been learning to eat S-L-O-W. I eat off a saucer instead of a dinner plate so portion control isn't that much of a problem but I have to make a conscious effort to chew well and pause between each bite.

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

None - I'm not a support group person. I am basically very private and choose to deal one on one with people and my issues.

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

I have 6 small scars that I can happily live with.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have been stuck at -52 pounds for almost 2 weeks. I think it is a result of my workouts at the gym. I go 3-4 days a week and am usually there for 1 1/2 hours doing cardio and weight training. It is getting frustrating not seeing the scale move but at the same time I can tell things are still changing because I have a waist now. I'm losing inches even if the scales have temporarily stopped moving.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People who do not know I have had sugery are continually coming up to me and telling me how good I look. I love it. I have also noticed that strangers speak to me more. I don't know if it is because of my weight loss, or my ever increasing happy outlook.