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

When I first found out about bariatric surgery, I was still in the stage of "I can do it myself", all I needed was the right diet, right state of mind and a miracle. I was terrified of the surgery, had heard many bad things, people dying, horrible post-surgical consequences. So I was anti-bypass. Until I was homebound for about 3 years, in denial still, found out about Dr. Sosa and Palmetto General Hospital's program with Dr. Sosa and was absolutely ready to take that first step and go on a journey I never would have expected.

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

I am on Humana HMO (medicare) My surgeon's office supplied me with everything that Humana required, six months on a medically supervised diet (primary care), psychiatrist evaluation, etc. I did what I had to do very diligently. My six months was up, I went to my bariatic surgeon's office, they submitted the paper work and within 24 hours I was approved. Obesityhelp.com was very helpful with their advice about insurance and forms and what to say, what the insurance companies need in order to get approved. My advice is to research and read everything you can get your hands on about insurance, your insurance company. Read your benefits and coverage book from one end to the other, make notes and make it an assignment and a mission to do whatever it takes to get approved to save your life.

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

My first meeting with Dr. Sosa was very uneventful. I had done so much research I hardly had any questions for him. He examined me and we discussed a few things. Then I saw the woman in charge of insurance and that's where all the work began. To get the most out of your first meeting, be informed, come with a list of questions and paper to write it all down. If you can, bring a friend so they can do the note taking and you can do the listening. My surgeon, Dr. Sosa, is always available for questions and will take the time to answer your questions so you understand. I love him.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I decided to have the surgery, and was hell bent on doing so, because I couldn't get up from bed without holding on to a wall. I was very dependent on my son (he was in 20's) for everything, from medication to food shopping, to taking animals to vet. He was resentful. I was miserable and so was he. It was a terrible, terrible time that I still have nightmares about. We are just now developing a decent mother/son relationship and that means everything to me. The surgery was my last hope. As scared as I was, I was determined to have this surgery and start a new way of living.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon, Dr. Sosa, does only one type, laparoscopic RYN proximal, and whatever medical terms. He explained in his seminar for people looking into the surgery why he only does that surgery. I had the utmost faith in him from the very beginning, having read so much, I decided he was the smart one, and I decided to go with his program. And am I glad I did. Grateful is an understatement.

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?

Terrible fears of dying, of leakage. On your first visit Dr. Sosa hands you a booklet about every possible conceivable complication that can happen after this surgery. He starts his lectures with "You gotta be willing to die to have this surgery". This is not an easy way out, nor is it to be taken lightly. It is a serious surgery. For you guys who are going through fears, and feedback from every Tom, Dick and Harry, if you've done your research, are confident in your surgeon's expertise and his program, put your fears aside, write them down on paper if that helps, and just hold your nose and jump!!! If you've got a good surgeon who has a well-trained bariatric surgical as well as nursing staff to help you with every tiny little thing in the hospital, you're in the best of hands and you go for it. If you have doubts about the surgeon and his program, look around. Check out other surgeons. Don't be shy. Ask those questions and get those answers. It's your 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?

My friends were thrilled, my family was reluctant and not so supportive. But what else is new? I tried to explain to them, even sending Dr. Sosa's literature to my brother in Alabama, but they were scared. I had to filter out the negative comments because I was going through those negative feelings myself, and had to put them aside to save my life. After my surgery, it took a while for them to be comfortable with my surgery. They saw I was fine medically, and physically the pounds were coming off. Now after a 235 pound weight loss they have jumped on the bandwagon and are all gung-ho for my success. It's about time!!!

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

I was unemployed due to disability so at least I didn't have to deal with idiots at work. I am still disabled and am not working. But again the same advice, do what you gotta do to save your life. To me this was a life-saving procedure. You can only tell your boss an estimated time you could be out of work. It depends on what you do. If you sit on your tush all day, you could be back within a week or two. If you dig ditches, it may take a little longer. Do and say what you have to in order to get through this.

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 almost five days. Because I was over 450 pounds, it was very hard for me to walk even a little bit, and you got to walk. It's essential for your healing and recovery. I had a physical therapist assist me. Dr. Sosa has a special wing for gastric bypass patients, with a nursing staff specially trained in the needs of bariatric patients. I basically didn't have to ask for anything. Palmetto General Hospital was great. The most important thing to bring is yourself. If you like to read, of course, you can bring stuff like that. But you're going to be busy sitting up and walking. So bring yourself. You might want to bring a pretty robe when you stroll up and down the halls with your new friend, th IV, and maybe a nurse or physical therapist. Make friends with the IV. It goes where you go. A little humor. Sorry.

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

The only complication I had was the nausea, pain and vomiting. I was very, very heavy so the nausea kind of knocked me out. I was not very mobile, so, therefore, I had to concentrate on walking in the house and getting up and moving. That was the best I could do for quite a while. I was not alone in dealing with these problems. I had Dr. Sosa, my surgeon, Vanessa, my nutritionist, and our monthly support group meeting which is at Palmetto General Hospital and run by Dr. Sosa, my bariatriac surgeon. I had the support of my fellow surgery patients, lots of support, and the support of Dr. Sosa and his assurance that this too shall pass. And it did.

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 felt terrible. I was in pain. But the pain was controlled by Tylenol #3, nothing heavier than that. The pain was expected and totally normal, nothing critical. I coped with my anxiety by participating in the support group, doing what my nutritionist and doctor told me. And it worked.

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

This is a question that depends on the person. I can only speak from my experience, being 250 pounds overweight and facing a terrible fate, that my first few weeks were not fun. I was able to take care of myself, take care of the animals. My son was old enough where he could take care of himself. Each person is different. Some people literally jump off the recovery room table, run to the bathroom and they're fine. Others have problems or their recovery is a little slower. Just follow dr's orders to the letter. You'll be fine.

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

I didn't have far to travel to the hospital. My girlfriend took me and held my hand until I was called in to surgery. She was there when I woke up too, Yeah, I woke up! No white light for me. It had no affect on my aftercare because I didn't have to go back there except for my support groups meetings once a month and that was no problem.

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.

We were encouraged and directed to drink whey protein shakes. So much emphasis was placed on those protein shakes, how they help with your body's healing, will eliminate or slow down hair loss and just for overall good health. The first week was total liquids every hour, fat free pudding and jello. Week 1-3 was still liquids, and protein shakes, sugar-free jello, sugar-free chocolate pudding and pureed soups, very, very liquidy. Then you graduated, with the guidance of Vanessa, the nutritionist, to pureed food, mooshed and mashed and pureed like baby food. In fact, some people did eat baby food. That was weeks 3-6. Protein was addes, like cottage cheese, pureed chicken, turkey and lean beef. Then gradually, you graduated to solid food, cottage cheese, some cereals, low fat cheese sticks, and of course, your protein shakes, with the emphasis on getting your protein in first. By six months, you pretty much could eat anything that was tolerated, and again the protein shakes. Eat slowly, no drinking with meals (food goes down faster) and eating with small plates and small utensils. My diet was very limited because of my nausea, so I lived on low fat cheese, low fat yogurt, cottage cheese. I could tolerate lean ground beef every once in a while. Forget chicken and turkey. To this day I still can't tolerate turkey. Now 19 months post-op my food tastes have definitely changed. I have cravings for certain foods, but not like the fast food, Chinese or Italian food I used to gorge on. Besides even if I did have those foods, I couldn't eat much because they are very heavy, and would get sick if I ate just one bite too much. That is not fun. I love the way I eat now. My food is very important to me. I buy fresh fruits and vegetables, soy products and even tofu, yes, tofu. It's a great source of protein, and I crumble it up in my eggs and some dishes that I make. You don't taste it and it's great. I do not live on sugar free foods and frozen dinners. I concentrate on fresh things. I keep it simple but delicious. It's just fooling around and trying new spices. Its' fun and an adventure. My one weakness is popcorn. Must have my gag of low fat popcorn every day! That's my indulgence. I am always careful about what I put in my mouth. I have to be, not only because I don't want to gain an ounce, but I don't want to get sick either. I'm fine now.

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

My activity level was very minimal. I couldn't even go to the gym because of my nausea and healing problems. So still afraid to walk outside, I had to do my walking inside. After losing about 70 pounds, my mobility was much better and I started going to the gym only to get sick with nausea and pain, and boom, there went the gym. It wasn't for lack of trying. That was very frustratring to me because I wanted to be an exercise-a-holic. However, now 19 months after surgery, I am walking y dog about 5 times a day, and just purchased a bicycle and am riding a bike out in public about two miles. Need to build up endurance. I am 54, you know, no spring chicken.

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

Dr. Sosa is very adamant about taking vitamins designed for the gastric bypass patient. We take a multi twice a day and calcium with Vitamin D twice a day. We also must have certain blood work done prescribed by my surgeon, to check for vitamin deficiencies. Mucho importante!!! A lot or people do get sick if they don't take their vitamins. A lot of problems can develop if you don't take those vitamins. So my surgeon and nutritionist keeps emphasizing the importance of the vitamins and blood work. I'm very well taken care of.

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?

The biggest side effect I had was nausea, pain and throwing up. My hair loss was minimal. Because of the severe nausea, my nutritionist had to work with me to get some food down othewise I would have gotten sick. Without her support and guidance I don't know what I would have done. Dr. Sosa followed me very closely, as he does all his patients, with frequent visits. So between Dr. Sosa and Vanessa his nutritionist, and my angel, I made it through. I had no leaking or anything horrible like that. The nausea was bad enought, but it's gone now and i'm just peachy.

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

The worst part for me was my nausea, pain in pouch and not being able to eat, or want to eat as time passed, any of the foods that the other people were eating. I was on Nexium and sometimes Zofran for the nausea. I threw up a lot, not because I ate too much, but everything irritated my pouch. Dr. Sosa, my surgeon, assured me that after nine months this would pass. Nine and a half months passed and voila, all nausea and pain was gone. I still have periods of pain if I irritate the pouch with spicy foods or lots of raw veggies, but then I go back on Nexium, pull back on what I think irritates my pouch and I'm fine again.

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

Dr. Sosa has in place a multi-faceted approach to aftercare. I go to a support group sponsored by Dr. Sosa where he is present and available to answer everyone's questions. I have my buddies that I see every month and new people who contribute to the group. This has been beyond helpful. It has been essential. My support group is my connction to my new life. It is vital to me and I will always need support to keep up with this battle that never ends (even though the battle is not so difficult anymore).

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

I have no scar. My surgeon did the procedure laparoscopically. Besides, who cares about a scar. I ain't no Carnie Wilson. I don't think Playboy is going to be knocking down my door to pose in the nude. But who knows, you never know. Anyway, no scar. Smooth as silk.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have been experiencing a plateau in the last three months. During losing my 235 pounds, it was steady with bursts of faster weight loss. I have had to reaccess my eating and pursue an exercise activity that I would like in order to start losing again. I chose biking for now and walking. Will look into other options later on. But one thing at a time, first I have to get this biking thing down pat.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People don't recognize me, which is a hoot. Because I say hi to them and they look at me and look at me and then go, Oh, my Gawd, it's you, Phyllis. And i go, yeah, I forgot, I look different. But it's still me, still crazy after all these years. I know one thing, I'm not afraid to speak up anymore for fear of being made fun of and being humiliated. I have to constantly tell myself that I look like any other 54 year old lady (actually I look younger) and that I'm not a 450-500 pound old lady anymore.