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

I first heard about this surgery over 15 years ago. Always too scared to pursue it. Then I finally made a decision. My only child, my sone got married last year and I am looking forward to grandbabies some day and being around to see them, so now was the time. I found, through a friend, a wonderful doctor and so I began my trek in earnest in March 2002.

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

It took my insurance company 10 days to approve. I had my surgean when he sent in the request, include some letters I had gotten from friends, family and other medical professionals. I asked my husband and my Endo and PCP write letters of support. Then I asked friends that had known me over a period of time through many struggles to write ONE PAGE LETTERS ( important to be one page, otherwise it bored the reader)and some MD friends of mine also wrote letters of support. I truly believe that with my medical condition, comorbidities and the letters of support, my insurance company acquiesced quickly.

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

It was great. I made a list of questions on paper so as not to forget. I checked each one off as we spent time together. My surgeon also offers monthly support meetings for pre-ops and those considering surgery and you learn alot in those meetings. Most questions can be answered at his seminars. In fact, most of his medical team comes to the meetings so you can meet everyone involved in your care and treatment.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

To state it simply, I WANT TO LIVE !!! My only regret is that I did not do this sooner.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I left it in my surgeons capable hands. He is the expert.

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?

My biggest fears were: 1) The blood gas test pre-op. 2) Insertion of the IV line. 3) Waking up possibly with a breathing tube. 4) Having a central IV line inserted in my neck vein. These things I feared because I have crappy veins. Honestly, these were my only fears and for the most part turned out to be a piece of white meat chicken. :):)

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?

I have to tell you I have a group of cheerleaders supporting me. I worried about not being able to do the walking or the push fluids or even handle cravings. My husband's mantra to me is "Tough Sh*T" as he motivates me along and it works. He took the week after I came home from the hospital off to care for me. My best friend Denise came over the day after I got home from the hospital to wash my hair and do the girly things I had trouble doing for myself. I have gotten a steady stream of emails, phone calls and snail mail from family and friends along with many visits. Even my parents who were the biggest nay-sayers are crowing over every pound lost. I am truly blessed.

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

My boss is supportive as long as my absence does not impact her. She is a nice lady but I don't think she really gets the fact that this is a major medical procedure. I asked for 3 weeks off. Got that. Unfortunately I may need an additional 1-2 weeks off. She may not like that, but that is the chance I might have to take. I love my job and my co-workers, so I really hope I don't have to change jobs.

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

The stay was OK. I was in for 4 days. Some shifts provided better care than others. I am not a good sponge bather so that was tough. Gals, bring some kind of feminine cloth cleanser ( I brought Massengil Soft Cloths). These leave no soap residue and left me feeling clean and refreshed. Hope that wasn't too honest for anyone.

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

None.

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

My approval was 4-29-02 and my surgery was 5-7-02. I was on top of the world.

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

I am tired. I nap alot. But I am getting smaller by the day.

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

My surgeon and hospital was a 150 mile r/t drive. Far, but worth it.

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.

My surgeon has a strict program. No food for 30 days. Only protein shakes, Crystal Light, Iced tea, broth, s/f jello and s/f popsicles for the first 30 days. Then the next 30 days gets the addition of soft protein foods like scrambled egg, tuna fish, cottage cheese etc. Then real food with a limit of 18 carbs a day and obviously portion control and never, ever, never sweets again like cake, cookies, pie, ice cream etc, but heck, those are the foods that got me in trouble initially. I am in week two and not hungry and following the program. I do have cravings but not hunger.

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

I am like a turtle, slow and steady. We walk every day. I get tired easily. But I want to start my new life.

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

I take daily 2 childrens chewable vitamins with iron, 4 tums with calcium and sublingual vitamin B12.

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 have had none of the above problems.

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

Damn staples. Waiting to start swimming until staples are out and external healing.

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

THe support group is critical. It is where you learn and share more info. This surgery cannot work without support.

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

I am gutted like a Christmas goose. But who cares. I am cut from my breast bone to my belly button. I am going to be beautiful !!! Inside and out.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

N/A too soon I am only 9 days out.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

N/A same reason as above.