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

I saw a segment on dateline a very long time ago. I never thought someone like me could have it done. Then one day I was doing some research online and I realize that it was not so unrealistic for me to do it. I was very happy with my first impressions of surgery.

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

My insurance approval was easy. My doctors office sent out the paperwork and I was approved in one day.

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

My surgeon actually has a seminar you must attend before your first visit. This way he gets the details out in the seminar so when you meet with him it is more personal rather than just the routine. You set your goal weights and he goes over your situation with the surgery in greater detail.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I decided the minute I looked into it that I was doing it. The thing that made me start the research was when my ob/gyn called and said I couldn't get the birth control patch because I was obese and that the effectiveness of my birth control was also compromised because of my weight.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I really liked the first surgeon I met, Dr. Macatol so I went with the proceedure he was doing.

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 did not have any fears of dying at all.

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 very supportive of my surgery. My family was a little skeptical. After my surgery they were all very supportive.

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

My employer was very supportive of my decision to have this surgery done. I was out of work for 5 weeks.

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 for 2 days. The most important things I brought was a fan because it was so hot and a CD walkman. It kept out all the background noise of being in the hospital.

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

No

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 didn't feel too much anxiety. The hardest thing was not having dinner with the family. I just didn't even go in the kitchen when they were cooking or eating. Once it did that it was easier to cope with.

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

I hard a hard time getting in and out of the chair. I took me a few days before I could do this on my own. I was in pain so I took my medicines. I couldn't sleep in a bed for a few weeks though and it was even longer before I could sleep on my stomach.

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

Just a few miles

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 was on liquids only for four weeks. I was supposed to be drinking protein shakes but I couldn't. They tasted awful and made me sick. I just drank water and lemonade. I couldn't tolerate anything with a strong taste, it was just too much for me. I had alot of pain when I did start eating so I really didn't start eating every day until 6 weeks and that was just soft foods. My doctor really wanted me to try eating 3-4 times a day. It was hard but just one bite at a time and you get through it. I did not eat red meat or green leafy vegetables for 3 months. I still can not tolerate anything with too much sugar like candy or chocolate even peanut butter and ice cream. They make me vomit. I even vomit sugar free candy. The only juice I can tolerate is apple all the rest have too much sugar and make me sick.

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

I was very tired for at least a month after the surgery.

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

I take isotonic muli-vitamins and calcium every day.

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 am 4 months out now and I still get nausia, vomiting, and dumping. Dumping is the worst. You feel so sick, sweaty, heart racing, everything, its horrible. To avoid it stay away from sugar.

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

The pain, I don't like being in pain. It was hard right after the surgery. You get better pretty quick though

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

I have a support group that meets every other week. They are extremely helpful. My success in this surgery will be because of them. This meeting is so important to me and I enjoy going. It is great to be with a group of people that really understand what you are going through.

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

My scar is smaller that most because of the way my doctor did the surgery. It is only about 4 inches. It's only been 4 months so it is still pretty bad but I know it will get better

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, I do notice people hold the doors and elevators for me now.