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

I started to research this after my sister had surgery 10-99. It is a little scary at first cause you don't know too many details. After reading and reading I find that I am still scared of complications, but I know I can do all of the things required of me to keep the weight off and be healthy.

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

I was very nervous. They had about 8 people schd @ the same time. One by one we met w/the surgeon, and were told any general questions keep for the group session, any private questions ask when you are w/ the dr. After meeting w/ him we sat in a group and ask questions. He was very honest,and explained everything in great detail. I left very reassured.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The response from others on this web site, the support I am getting (from the people that count), finding it difficult to do things and knowing that there is an end to it.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Research, research, research. And meeting w/ the dr. and what procedures he performs clinched my decision.

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 haven't had the surgery yet, but I fear that still. I am worried about blood clots. The surgeon reassured me, when asking questions, about the things I was the most scared about, and now I feel I am in good hands. Ask questions-even if you think they are dumb- better to be safe then sorry.

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 sister ans. most of my questions because she already had it. My mom is now coming around and even suggesting to my other sister (5'5", 350lbs) to look into it. My older sister just had her surgery 02-13-02, and is doing fine. Now my whole family is much aware of what the surgery is like. Now me. They are behind me 100%. My family was very supportive after my surgery due to the complications caused. They were there w/ my every day and night. They did not leave my side, until I was able to feed myself.

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

Have not told them. They do not need to know. I only wk Saturdays. It will not affect my wk.

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

all is in my profile. From one to ten, about a 7. I was there for about 5 days and by the end of the week I knew everyone. Make sure while you are there to bring a very warm blanket, chap stick, slippers and your own pj's preferably a gown.

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

yes. After being in the hosp. from May 1st to May 5th, I came back on the 7th w/ severe abdominal pain. Upon entering ER, they had discovered I had a leak causing severe peritenitis, renal failure, no vitals, temp of 102, respiratory failure and sepsis. They then proceeded w/ a 2nd surgery and removed 1 gallon of fluids consisting of applesauce, tea, yogurt, etc. from my abdomen. A 3rd surgery was required to remove 3 abcesses causing a high fever and high white count(infection). Very hard and long recovery, due to an adverse reaction caused by a drug induced one week coma.

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

when I got my date I cried, even before I got off the phone from the lady w/ the ins co. My original date was April 15, so it gave me a lot of time to think about it. Then someone cancelled, and it was moved up to March 28. Then I started to get nervous. I was very busy trying to get everything done last minute. Along the way I stayed very nervous and anxious. I tried to keep busy crocheting and doing crafts for my mother's craft booth in IN. Then I got a call 4 days before the surgery telling me that the ins. was not going to cover my surgery. So when we finally straightened out that mess, the surgery was moved to May 1st. I did not deal w/ that stress very well @ all. I got a rash the size of Texas, covering my face and neck and lived on Xanax.

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

People will not expect what I went thru unless something goes wrong. I had to be fed and my meds (all 6) were taken thru a G tube (feeding tube). Clear liquids for quite a while.

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

the hosp is only 20 min away w/ no traffic, 1 hr away w/ traffic-will not affect the after care.

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.

When I 1st got hm I had a very hard time keeping anything down. That was due to the fact that all I had for the 2 mos prior, was liquid suppl. fed to me thru a feeding tube. As I progress over the weeks, I am able to tolerate clear liquids easily, crackers and cheese. Things I cannot tolerate: mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, watermelon. It is now the 4th month after surgery and I am back on the full liquid diet, ie: broth, jello, milk, soup, cottage cheese, yogurt, etc. I am now in my 8 mon. and if I eat very slowly, I can tolerate just about anything, except fried foods, or anything prepared in lard.

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

It has been almost 2 mos since I have been hm and I am just now able to walk the treadmill and do my PT exercises on my own. It is now 9 mos. after surgery and I can sit on the floor and sew, and run up and down my stairs w/out being winded.

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

Since coming out of the hosp. I have iron deficiency anemia, so I take a suppl. iron pill w/C. I take OTC chewable vitamins and 5000 mcg of B-12 - all daily. Just for my well being, I also take Biotin for hair and nails.

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 nausea and vomiting are the worse. My husb does not like the hair loss. He says I shed too much. I take Fenergan for the nausea and that usually helps me to not vomit. It is now 4 mos post-op and I still have the nausea and vomiting-but not quite as often. Hair loss still going on. It is 8 mos. PO and I am not vomiting quite as much. Maybe 3-5X monthly. The hair loss is still going on. Coping is easy, I just remember that I almost died and that these things are very small, in size-compared.

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

The waiting for the ins co. to approve!!!! The date of the surgery followed immediately. The fact that everything that could have gone wrong, did. Coming hm after 2 mos and not being able to hold my baby. Having to go to OT and PT for 4 wks after the surgery. Vomiting almost everything I ate for about 3 1/2 mos. after surgery.

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

I don't go as often as I should, but every meeting I've gone to, was very helpful. There is always @ least one thing said that I had questions about and I find out I am not the only one.

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

Due to the fact that I had 3 surgeries, I think the scar does not look too bad. It is about 8 inches long and about 3/4 of an inch wide. Healing well. Definately NOT what I expected. 6-22-04 scar is looking much better-have been put a scar gel on it and it is shrinking a bit. 1-07 The scar is very uncomfortable and that, if any will be my first revision. It gets bery sore and hurts right @ the pants line.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Right now @ 4 mos I am having my 1st plateau. I am stuck @ 80 lbs. lost. I think the reason is that I am not eating as I should, due to the vomiting. I am now 8 mos. PO and @ my 2nd plateau. Stuck @ 123 lbs. lost. If this is where I stop, that is fine.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not because I am thinner, but because I almost died and was very sick. Lots of pity and concern. Rather they notice the weight loss instead. 2 yrs post-op -yes!