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

A friend of my eldest daughter had the surgery. I saw her after she had lost 30 pounds and I couldn't believe what had happened to her. However, it was another 18 months before I had the courage to look into it for myself, even though my health was getting worse. I figured people would think I was looking for the easy way out. I now know that it wasn't the easy way out anymore than someone using the "patch" to quit smoking is the easy way out. You do what you need to do to be healthy and that's what I did.

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

I guess I was fortunate. Linda McIntosh from St. Luke Hospital in Pasadena really helped me along this line. She interviewed me, asked me all kinds of questions (co-morbidities) and then compiled my answers into what she knew Blue Shield would want and submitted it to them. It did take them about 2 - 3 months to respond, but there was a lot to review too. Make a list of ALL the diets you have ever been on. Know everything you can about your family and their health problems and for goodness sake document everything about your own health. This not only shows you are prepared but are definitely serious about proceeding with the surgery.

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

I wasn't afraid. I knew what I needed to do and that was to be sure he believed I needed the surgery as much as I believed I needed the surgery to go on living. Again, I went prepared. I told him all the surgeries I had had, all the meds I was on and the various health problems my family members had had all the way back to my deceased grandparents. It was important and added to my co-morbidities.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted to live to see my grandchildren grow up.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I let the surgeon make that decision. After all, he's been to medical school, I haven't and if I didn't trust him and his judgement, then why on earth was I there in the first place.

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?

Call me stupid, but you know, I didn't really have any fears about the surgery. What I was afraid of was how would I be able to continue to go to family functions where we served dinner. Would I still be included or would I feel like an outcast. I was more afraid to have the two knee surgeries I had to have. I was really looking forward to having this surgery. I guess I knew it was to save my life!

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?

All, and I mean, ALL were in favor. They were willing to support me in any way they could----which they did. Even my employer and the people I work with were very supportative.

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

Well, my employer is a surgeon (he assists with this type of surgery but does not do it himself), and he too felt that this was a big step but would be a life saver to me. I told him after I had been approved by my insurance company. I felt there was no need to say anything before because what if I hadn't been approved?! I was off work for 6 weeks. If I had had a desk job I could have been back at 4 weeks, but I am on my feet all day working with the doctor, so it was 6 weeks. But my first day back was fine. I had no problems and didn't get too tired.

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

My stay was fine. The first two days were hell! I was sure that someone had made me have the surgery, I couldn't have done this to myself voluntarily. But by the 3rd day, I was cruising on the down side and feeling better. I was there for 6 days, because that is what my surgeon tells his patients is best for them. I needed my glasses, slippers, robe, personal articles. Not much else though I did bring regular clothes (sweat pants and a pull-over shirt) to go home in.

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

Nope! Nothing. I followed all the instructions from my surgeon and I was lucky.

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

Tired! It took me a while to start feeling better. But I was 56 years old when I had the surgery done. I had no real anxiety. The only problems I had was that I was cold all the time and I had a terrible craving for salt.

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

I napped every day which is unusual for me. But I wanted to take care of myself and most overweight people don't do that. I made sure that I followed the eating routine I was given and I also made sure that I walked every day, and a little bit more than the day before. If someone asked me to go out I did. I even went to dinner with my family though I was on liquids. I simple told the waitress I couldn't eat regular foods because of recent surgery and asked for broth from soup and some tea and she about bust a gusset trying to accomodate me.

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

I live in Temple City and my surgery was in Pasadena, so about 20 minutes travel time.

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.

Well at first it was clear liquids. Sweet drinks got to be a drag. I just craved salt! I really have never had foods be off limits to me. I did need to learn to eat slowly and to chew my food welll because for a time I didn't do that and I had problems with vomiting and some left upper chest pain. But with time, this was resolved.

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

Napping and walking. I did always try to do a little more each day but just with the walking. I would go places with my family if asked even to the mall. I could always sit down if I got tired. And, you can only watch just so much T.V.

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

I take 2 multivitamins a day, 2 calcium w/ D (for better absorption), a vitamin E and once a month I take an injection of Vitamin B for the malabsorption that most bypass patients have.

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?

My daughter is a hairdresser and found some special shampoo and conditioner for me so I would not have hair loss. I did have the vomiting as I previously mentioned, but I quickly found out why and worked to correct it. Dumping has only happened a couple of times and it was nothing to write home about. The vomiting persisted until I retrained myself to eat slower and chew better.

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

Waiting to see the weight loss. Everyone else seemed to see it before I could. I knew they weren't lying, the scale showed I was losing and my old clothes did not fit, but I truthfully could not see it. It was not till I lost about 35 pounds that I could honestly see it too. I do carry a picture of me (pre-surgery)everywhere I go just so I NEVER forget how I use to look and that at the rate I was going, I probably would have died.

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

There is a support group at St. Luke hospital, but for me it is a waste of time. I tried it a couple of times but could not stay with it. I am in the medical field so I had a lot of support from my surgeon, my personal physician and my employer plus my family and friends. I like to help anyone I can, but truthfully, I could not go to the group.

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

It isn't bad. I heal well. I'm lucky. It's been over a year now and the scar is fading. I didn't use Vitamin E cream on it like some people do, but it isn't bad. I look at it and know it's a life saver.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

When I have had plateaus, it means I need to increase my protein and my exercise. Right now, I am within 10 - 15 pounds of what my surgeon believes I will totally lose. Needless to say, I am hardly losing anymore. I do continue to watch my protein intake and keep walking. Today is 08/18/00 - and I have started to lose again after 41/2 months. I can hardly believe it.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes! I get noticed at stores now. People don't ignore me like they did before. But in their defense, maybe it's me too. Since I like myself now, maybe I am putting forward a better self.