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

I had been hearing about it on and off for a few years. Mostly, I heard bad things. I had been told that a bariatric patient has to run to the bathroom every little bit with diarrhea. I also understood that most WLS didn't result in lasting weight loss. Worst of all, I believed death was a very real possible result of the surgery itself. After attending an orientation I realized that I was hearing about older styles of WLS and that I needed to research the types of surgery being done today.

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

My insurance experience is a bit of a mystery. My insurance company does not do pre-approvals. They list a set of criteria and say they cover it if the patient fits. Evidently, the surgeon found that I fit the criteria as he went ahead with surgery. 6 months later, I have yet to be billed for anything other than my regular deductible/co-pay. My advice is this: document all diets and have your primary physician document your weight loss attempts as well. Keep receipts and progress reports. Don't wait until you are so heavy you can't move, get the surgery and keep moving!

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

Dr. Gluck was very patient and answered my questions honestly. Some of the things he told me, I may not have liked, but I respected his honesty and desire to see his patients come through this healthy and with last life changes from weight loss. Patients whould bring a written list of questions, even the tough ones like death rate for that surgeon and clearly ask about how much time off from work is recommended. Don't allow the surgeon to rush through this first visit. You are interviewing him or her for a job that could result in your death or wonderful things...take charge and find a different surgeon if you don't feel confident.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had a choice, to take my life back or lose it to depression, heart disease and high blood pressure. I am taking it back!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I researched and found a surgeon that performed this type.

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 certainly had those fears of dying, but I also knew my health was bad enough that I was going to die from obesity if I didn't take this shot. People having fears of death or complications need to "weigh" the odds of staying obese and the present and future complications and death resulting from that or the odds (the surgeon can actually provide numbers) of complications and death from WLS. It is always going to have to be a personal choice and one that is well informed and thought out.

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 were all very supportive and have continued to be. I know that that is an exception as many people are met with strong opposition from "loved" ones. My husband and children gave me the best of care following surgery and are considerate of what I can eat versus what they want to eat. If I could do anything different, I would have brought my oldest children (teens) to the first seminar and to the first doctor visit so they had as much information as I from a source other than me.

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

Even my employer was very supportive of my decision. At first I didn't clarify the type of surgery I was to have but then did. I took only the time I needed (about 2 weeks) off but I could have had more.

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

I stayed two days in the hospital. For the most part it was a good stay and I was cared for well. However, there was a problem with good care and response from the late evening nurses. My IVs were always failing also. I wasn't in the hospital long enough to bring anything of necessity. Although going home I was glad I had thought to pack loose fitting sweats and button shirt so I didn't bother my incisions.

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

No complications from surgery. I did contract pneumonia one month after surgery but don't know if it was related to surgery.

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 elated! But it also seemed so far away. I coped by reading as much as possible about the surgery and life after WLS. I also worked on getting my life and house in order. I started a journal and that was by far the most helpful.

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

I lost a lot of weight! I struggled hard to get enough protein and water in and failed mostly. People shouldn't focus on the weight loss, just eating/drinking what they should. I had pain, but not as much as I expected. I could not sleep the first week or so either, as there just was no position that felt comfortable.

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

About 30 miles for surgery and after care visits. My aftercare appointments were always scheduled during my work day causing me to have to leave work and hour before the appointment and drive 60 miles (I work twice as far from my home in the other direction from the location of the appointments)

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 could eat tuna and scrambled eggs about two weeks after surgery. I lived on milk or whey protein based drinks until then. About three weeks after surgery, I developed an allergy to milk protein (which includes whey) making it very hard to get the liquid protien in. I ended up having to try to get protein from natural foods such as peanut butter and refried beans. After two months the allergy began to wane and I was able to add cheese and yogurt to my diet. 6 months later, I am eating any protein & skim dairy I want and some vegetables and fruits. I have no digestive issues and even forget about the surgery occasionally. The only difference now is that I still eat VERY little and then am full.

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

I walked every chance I got after surgery and it seemed to help the weight come off faster. I got really weak about 5 weeks out (jelly legged and exhausted). It seems that I wasn't getting enough protein and I gave up exercising and the weight loss slowed. I do naturally have more energy through the course of a day than I had before surgery. I have taken up golf and eventually hope to become average at it :)

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

I take a multi-vitamin morning and night, two calciums and a prevacid. Every month I get a B-12 shot. 6 months later, I still take the 2 multivitamins and 2 calciums. I am considering switching from B-12 shots of oral B-12.

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?

So far, two months out, I haven't had a lot of side effects. At 6 months, my hair is visibly thinning. I just am extra careful with my shampoos choices and hairstyle. It'll grow back.

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

The drain that came out of my belly after surgery that I had to have for several days and keep empty. Also, smelling foods that elicit "taste" memories that I can no longer eat.

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

I attend a monthly nutrition class and see the surgeon at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year. There are monthly WLS support groups also that I attend often. It is important to keep a connection with the medical team and with other WLS patients to keep on the right track and get ideas from others that might work for something I am dealing with. I think the entire success for WLS is riding on continous and supportive aftercare. At 6 months, the only thing I add is that the support groups and nutrition appointments need to be relavant to my lifestyle or they are wasted time.

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

I have 6 small scars. They may fade in time. About what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I plateau usually once a month for a couple days to a week. I also plateau if I don't get enough protein or don't keep up the exercise. It might go a week at the same weight and then lose several pounds in a few days.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, sadly I get more respect from others as I lose weight. I am a female executive and the glass ceiling seems a bit higher as I become more attractive. How awful that we humans judge a person's worth by their appearance.