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

When I heard about it I was excited. I dreamed and dreamed, wishing that one day I would be able to have the surgery. Then a very close friend had it and I was so happy for her, but so depressed for me. I wanted it!! I did not care one bit about any complications or even that I could die. I just wanted to be out of this misery that I was trapped in.

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

At the time I was approved, I really didn't have any problem what so ever. I was very fortunate and lucky. Even my family doctor told me that I just made it through, that now there is so much red tape that most are being denied.

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

It was exciting, I felt like this is the beginning of a new life. Again, I didn't care about any complications or anything, all that went through my mind was okay when is the surgery date.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Finally decide? When your fat most of your life, you go to sleep every day wishing that you could wake up and be thin. You wish there were a magic pill that could just make it all better, melt the fat away. Well when this surgery came about it was almost like that so there was no decision to be made, years of dreaming was now a realty. Slice me open and get this done!!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted the surgery with less chance of error. I wanted to be opened and not laser. I had heard about possible chances of leakage with laser. I figured I'd never be wearing a bikini so a scar down my middle wasn't going to affect anything.

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. I had more fear going to bed every night weighing 314 lbs and wondering if I were going to have a stroke today? And the fact that I was going to have to live another day weighing that much.

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 wanted whatever I wanted. They were so supportive. I could not have asked for anything better.

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

They were so happy for me, but they of course wanted the surgery too. (they have since had the surgery also!!) I took off a long time, by choice I didn't want to return to that stressful job. I can't even remember how long it was I think 10 weeks.

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

My stay was wonderful. I was at Parkview in Riverside and they have a whole wing that was just for Bariatric patients. The nurses were great. Things to bring, I really can't say I did without. While there I was in no mood to do anything but sleep. Felt like a bus had crashed into my stomach! I wasn't going to be doing much for the next couple of weeks. Morphine drip and drugs were about all you do in those first days.

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

None, very fortunate!!

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 felt excited, I thought oh my gosh I'm finally going to have this weight off. I don't remember ever regretting what I did. I just thought I know everything is going to work out. I had tremendous family support. Only my immediate family knew I had the surgery. I didn't tell my parents, brothers, etc. I wanted to keep it within my house. As to why, I can't say. I think I just didn't want all the calls and people coming around. I really think that helped me get through it better. I didn't have to continually tell people over and over about my surgery and how I'm doing. I could just concentrate on myself.

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

Rest, rest and rest. If I were to go through it again the only thing I would do differently is order a hospital bed for the first couple of weeks. It was very difficult sleeping. My friends all said they slept in their recliners. I suffered trying to sleep on my bed. I think a hospital bed rental would have been a wonderful investment. And I've checked into renting them and they aren't that much at all!! I missed out on that..

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

it was about 40 miles. It wasn't bad at all.

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.

Dairy products and vegetables really do me in, even now 3 years post. I still have problems with certain foods every now and then. The culprits are fish, chicken and pork. Some times no problem at all and other times it will come back up. Fish for some reason just seems to foam up. Its really weird. I try to explain to people but they just don't understand. The worst that I have to deal with is the flatulence, it is all the time!!

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

I was not very active. I just took it easy.

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

I take fiber pills, calcium and multi vitamins

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 know it would be the vomiting. I would have a cup in my car because I never knew when something was going to be rejected. My poor daughters were always going "yuck". But if thats the only cost to be healthy, then sign me up again.

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

The first week home, trying to sleep, trying to just get back to a normal routine. Again, I would stress to anyone, check into renting a hospital bed it would be well worth the low cost.

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

I only had my immediate family and my close friend. And that was fine.

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

Its a 4-5" long incision right down the middle of my stomach. Yes its exactly what I expected, I rather have this scar then a couple of scars for open heart surgery or other life threatening problems.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

The lowest weight I got was 178lb and that was for about 2 weeks. My body fluctuates from 186 to 193. My dr when I went in for surgery said that my goal weight would be 148. I have never seen that and I don't think I ever will. But I'm okay with that. My body seems happy here (I of course would like more off) but I deal with it.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, but I have stayed the same. I have had ex co-workers come up to me and say that I haven't changed since the surgery that I'm still the same ole Cinda that I was prior. At my last job there are 8 people who have all had the surgery. Yes, it is a very stressful job, 911 dispatcher, so we all ate out of stress. Anyway, a few of them have had major personality changes.