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

I had heard about it on television and from my doctor, who warned me that if something drastic wasn't done and soon, I would be dead in a matter of a couple of years. Bariatric surgery scared me at first (and still does). I think people do not realize that this is SERIOUS surgery that should only be done as a last resort by people who really need it. It is no quick and easy fix by any means.

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

I never got insurance approval. I only had insurance through my employer. My advice is to by supplemental insurance as soon as possible...no matter the cost. It will save them tens of thousands of dollars.

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

Scary. But Dr. Kim was cool and understood my predictament. My advice....be forward with your surgeon. Ask questions...lots of them. Do not be afraid or embarrassed...these guys have seen it all. You will be glad you have a good understanding of what you are getting into.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The choice between life and death. The hope for some glimpse of a future. The total defeat of trying to go at it by myself alone.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

LOTS of research!!! Ask questions and meet people. I decided on the duodenal switch because of my massive size and because of the quality of life the DS can offer versus the RNY. And the studies that show that DS patients tend to maintain weight loss better. I really didn't want to be one of the people having to get a "revision" because their first surgery didn't work.

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?

Only one thing...give it ALL to God...completely. I went into my surgery calm and at ease...even to the amazement of family and friends. I was more scared of the pain AFTER the surgery than the surgery itself.

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 wish I could have kept it more secretive. EVERYONE knows about my surgery. Now I have to put up with OTHER people's missed expectations. Some people thought I would magically loss all of my weight in the surgery room!!!

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

Everyone at work has been supportive (especially now that it is over and I'm not nodding off to sleep at my desk anymore). I was out for six weeks, mostly due to nausea problems....and Hurricane Charley!!!

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

Life immediately after surgery is HELL. Make no mistake about it. I was there for five days. Make sure you bring a "huggie" pillow that you can hug when you cough (it really helps) and slippers. Expect the nurses to make you walk around just a few hours after you surgery.

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

The doctors could not wake me up after the surgery. Then my sleep apnea kicked in and I stopped breathing on them. I recall briefly waking up as they were trying to get another breathing tube down me. I threw up a few blood clots a few hours after surgery. I had a hard time with nausea, which lasted for weeks. I also had a sharp pain in my back that eventually went away on its own. I still struggle with getting all of the vitamins in me each day.

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 gave it all to God which was truly my salvation. I would have went crazy otherwise.

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

I tried to go without taking pain meds. I finally gave into them when I could not get rid of a piercing pain in my back. Keep up the walking and the fluids. The time will pass quickly.

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

I got lucky. My doctor is only 45 minutes away. Post care has been great because of it. And I have less anxiety about not being able to get proper care if something were to go wrong.

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.

Only liquids at first. Then things like jello. Then pureed foods. Then regular soft foods. Then normal foods after a month or so. But even then you still have to minimize starches, sugars, and fiberous vegetables.

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

Walking a few blocks at best. Things are improving with time.

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

I am suppose to take 22 pills a day!!! I still am having problems with that.

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 was the worst. It lasted for about 2 months.

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

The fear of the unknown. And that continues even post-op.

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

My doctor offers some support groups, but I haven't been able to go.

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

It is similar to someone who has had heart surgery...only a little farther down. I was surprised they used a "glue" to hold me together rather than stitches or staples. It worked fairly well.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I'm on one already. I'm only losing about 1/2 pound a day. I was losing almost 3 pounds a day when I was first post-op.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet.