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

The very first time I heard of bariatric surgery, I thought the surgery was too drastic for me, that it didn't work anyway and you have a huge scar for life.

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

Kaiser turned me down in 1999, I was too healthy and not fat enough. I was 5'4" and almost 300 lbs. - I couldn't do anything, my knees were killing me, depression was around me like a fog. My thoughts were "what the hell is Kaiser talking about - I would be better off dead". I didn't give up though, I tried diets again on my own and then went back in 2002 determined to make Kaiser help me - I had tried their Optifast program and worked harder than ever to be successful in a program that just couldn't help me. They approved me in less than a month. My advice is to research, read every book, article - talk to everyone that ever had the surgery. Do your homework and go in there - don't take no for an answer, this is your life! Educate yourself for the fight if it's needed. I did exactly that - although I didn't need to fight in the end, my arsenal was ready.

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

I went to a support group at Scripps- Mercy Hospital and Dr. Tanaka was the speaker. He had a dry sense of humor, but appeared to be serious and knowledgeable about his career. I knew he was the Doctor for me and it was confirmed in my research. If he can teach surgery, he can do it.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Being a full blown failure at the Optifast program was my final straw. I had lost any hope of doing the kind of weight loss I needed through personal diet programs. I knew in my heart, that obesity for me was genetic and irreversible through my tries at diet and exercise.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Research. Research. Research.

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 had no fears of dying from the surgery, maybe I should have, but my research, my Surgeon choice - everything was made with confidence.

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 immediate family (Husband, Daughter) was very supportive. They worried about me, but they knew that I had done the right thing by researching my decision, not making it lightly, but a well thought out decision.

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

My employer and work place was equally supportive, they are friends and co-workers. They thought I should have planned more time off, but 10 days and I was back at my desk feeling wonderful. I had the surgery on 11/08/02 and back at my desk on 11/18/02 feeling great. I was a lucky one - healed quickly and little pain. I always thought I was a tough girl - Yes, I am!

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

The Hospital was difficult for me because of a recovery room incident and the morphine reaction that I had. The recovery room was that I woke up too early (to do it again, I would request that they keep me sedated through the recovery room) the pain was intense (this was the worst I experienced) it felt like my stomach was on fire and a Nurse was extremely rude - told me "You are not listening to me - be quiet" I was moaning "help me" - it's all I could say, the pain was so bad, but Thankfully I went out again and woke up in my room. It seemed to last forever and was a horrible experience. Everyone that had the surgery the same day as me - were walking around, talking - I was sick feeling, nauseated and kept pushing for morphine. Finally someone figured out the sickness may be the morphine and switched me to Tore-a-doll (this is not the correct spelling, it's by the pununciation) and I made a miraculous 180 turn-around and started getting better immediately. Once these two things were past, I began to recover quickly. It is important to take lotion and lip balm - you get dry skin!

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

I didn't have any complications. I was a lucky one.

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 tried to remain calm about it, not pig out like a last meal syndrome and read everything I could get my hands on to comfort me about others experiences with the surgery.

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

I just relaxed and walked. I was tender/sore in the tummy, but slept good, and every day was better than the one before. I was amazed at the recovery. I had a full hysterectomy a few years back and that was a much worse experience than this.

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

I am a very short distance from the Hospital - I live in San Diego. It makes it easy for my follow-up 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 followed the protocol that they give you at Scripps Mercy Hospital Pacific Bariatric group. I ate only jello and juices with no added sugar the first couple of weeks home. I just tried cottage cheese, cheese, tofu, mashed potatoes the next couple of weeks and then added little things. I was fine with a couple of bites of things, but shrimp, meats still gave me grief. I cannot have citrus of any kind - including in my tea and rice is not a good thing for me still at 3 months out. Other than that, I can eat most things. I try to eat low fat and low sugar in everything. I do have the dumping syndrome bad with too much sugar. I get dry heaves and sweats - just real icky feeling.

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

You can't do much except walk - slowly for the first couple of weeks home. It gets better, but I found I was suffering from depression bad after the surgery and my Doctor prescribed Prozac at about 1 1/2 months out - it changed me for the better - more energy, happier, no anger.

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

I take a one a day chewable Centrum vitamin and B12 sublingual once a week.

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 still have vomiting with eating too fast, too much or too much sugar.

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

The pain in the recovery room and the rude Nurse was a bad experience. The pain from acid - I had to begin my protonix prescription again (prescribed for one month after surgery) in my second month. Depression.

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

I have the support groups at Scripps Mercy. They haven't been too exciting, but they have a hypnotherapy class coming this week and I am interested in that. I try to make it helpful/important to me with the times I need the support - plateaus, worries, etc. This website is really more helpful to me than anything, it's there when I need it.

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

My scar is 8 inches long and the Mederma has helped it tremendously. I think it is very thin compared to others I have seen because I was very careful in the healing stage and the Mederma was good advice.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I haven't had but two weeks at a time staying the same weight, but then I lose a chunk in one day - funny how this works - but you worry that you aren't losing and then the chunks off.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, my friends and family are supportive and I feel like the same girl with a problem going away! I worry about the skin hanging though.