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

I learned of "stomach stapling" back in the '70s when the cousin of a friend of mine had it done. I thought it was extremely dangerous, and I couldn't understand why someone would need something so drastic. "Couldn't they just control their eating?!?" (Of course, I was 18 and weighed 150 lbs at that time...skinny for me!) Be careful what you think... it may come back to bite you.

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

Insurance approval for me went seamlessly. Dr. Sax's office handled all the paperwork. My insurance carrier, United HealthCare, only required a diagnois of morbid obesity to qualify for either the RNY or lap band procedure.

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

The first time I met my surgeon, I wasn't 100% sure I liked him. In taking my medical history, I divulged that I had been married 4 times. My surgeon took that as a sign that I "obviously have relationship issues". I resented that comment immensely, and went round and round in my head whether or not this was the man I wanted to help me on my journey. I gave him a chance to "impress" me by scheduling my colonoscopy with him. At this second "meeting" I was much more convinced that he really was a caring doctor, and perhaps he had had a bad day on our first meeting.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Depression, pain in my joints, breathlessness, feeling totally out of control with my life. I equated the number on the scale with the quality of my life. I was at the highest point I had ever been weight wise in my entire life... 280lbs. If I didn't put a stop to it now, I'd soon reach 300. If I could reach 300, was there any stopping the weight gain? I KNEW I had to make this choice in order to get on and enjoy my life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr Sax and I discussed my options, and after much testing to make sure I was healthy enough for surgery (given my history of DVT/PE) we decided together that lap band surgery was my safest alternative.

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?

There is always that risk, of course. I had already been through a near death experience 2-1/2 years ago when I experienced the DVT/PE. A blood clot lodged in my heart requiring open heart surgery. Another lodged in my 2nd toe, causing gangrene and an eventual amputation of the toe. If I can come that near to death at that time, then what did I have to fear now?

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 husband was 100% supportive of whatever decision I made. If I chose to have WLS he would support it. If I chose NOT to have the surgery, he respected and supported that decision also. My oldest son was kind of non-commital either way. He doesn't show alot of emotion about anything. His wife on the other hand, has been and still is VERY interested in everything about this surgery. I think she is watching my success very closely, to determine if this is something she may eventually want for herself. My youngest son was the most vocal with "What?!? You don't need that!!" He was a hard sell. My mother has always rode me about my weight.. sigh. Her reaction was a little cautious since my last surgery (the DVT/PE incident) had been so life threatening. She was concerned for my safety, but thought it was a wonderful idea if I was healthy enough for it.

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

I was out of work 3 wks. I felt well enough that I could've gone back in two. My boss was very supportive of my decision, a little curious as he had never known anyone who had had WLS, and was very respectful about my privacy. He let me make the decision as to what to tell the rest of the group that I worked with. Before I went out for surgery, I only told a couple of co-workers. I didn't want to be influenced by any negativity. But now that I am back to work, I tell anyone that asks about how I am losing weight. I'm proud of the decision I have made!

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

My stay in the hospital was just over 24 hours. The nursing staff at the Miriam Hospital was spectacular! Personally, I say don't bother bringing anything more than chap stick. You're not there long enough to really need anything of any consequence. At least not with lap band. They provide you with a toothbrush and other personal necessities. Why bring clutter?

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

Thankfully, I DID NOT have any complications what so ever after surgery. Dr Sax did did put me on Lovenox for 28 days after surgery since I had a history of blood clots. I hated those shots twice a day, but am grateful that I did not have another issue with clotting, so I know they were necessary.

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 surgery date was scheduled about 1 week out from final insurance approval. I was given a temporary "hold" date about a month prior to surgery. I did have some anxiety, but it was mostly about "the unknown". This was a chapter in my life that had never been written before.. and truthfully, I still feel that way. Every day is a new day since WLS.

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

The first 3 days home from the hospital, I did feel some discomfort. Not what I would call "real" pain. It hurt a little to get up and down from a sitting position, and it hurt to turn over in bed but not excrutiatingly so. After open heart surgery and a toe amputation, this was a walk in the park.

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

The hospital and my doctor's practice are about 30 miles from my home. The travel was of no consequence.

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.

Immediately after surgery, I was on liquids for a week. That meant protein shakes and water. 1-2 oz per hour. Because of the post-op swelling in the stoma, I never felt hungry or deprived during this period. After the first week, I was on purees for a week. I made alot of cream based soups with protein during this period, and blended them. Third week I was on mushies. By this time, I was very happy to be able to chew a little bit. At the 4th week, I was adding soft solids to my diet (per my surgeon's instructions). I have been lucky enough to be able to tolerate anything I have tried to eat so far. I have now had one fill (3.5cc in a 9cc band) and not much has changed.

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

I walked daily immediately after surgery. First 1/4 mile, then up to 1/2 then eventually up to a full mile by the end of the second week. My bedroom is on the second floor, and I used the stairs daily. I am now 7 wks post-op and began participating in water aerobics a week ago.

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

I take a chewable multi-vitamin (adult brand) plus drink a protein shake if my protein intake falls below 60g per day. I am currently taking 5 Tums daily (not all at once) for additional calcium, but I think when this bottle is gone I may try to find an alternative as I think the Tums is constipating me.

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?

To date, 7 wks post op, I have had no side effects.

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

The wait. My first consult with the surgeon was on 5/24. My surgery date was on 9/15. I know that really isn't a long time to wait, but when you are waiting for a change in your life of this magnitude it seemed like FOREVER.

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

I check in with the OH forum daily. I am also a meember at Lap Band Talk, although I am not very active on that forum. I attend two support groups in Providence monthly. One is at the Miriam Hospital, where I had surgery. The other is at Roger Williams hospital. I have met several friends through OH and meet up with them at the support group meetings and occasionally we get together for gatherings outside the support group meetings. There is a group of us that has become very close, all because of OH. We may never have met otherwise.

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

Four small scars less than 1". One larger scar, maybe 2" where the port is located. They have all healed very nicely. My skin tends to keloid, and so far it is looking like my scars arent' going to keloid! Yeah!!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I hit a plateau of about 4 weeks when I was 2 weeks out from surgery. I lost 17 lbs pre-op, and then 13 lbs immediately post op. I was expecting to continue to see at least a 1-2 lb weight loss per week after that. However, for the first 4 weeks of October I lost nothing. I was up and down the same 2 lbs. I had a fill on 10/28 and was on liquids for 3 days, mushies for 3 days after that and dropped 4 lbs, but am now up and down again those same 2 lbs. I don't have restriction yet, and I know that is a problem early out after lap band surgery. This was expected, but not easy to accept never the less.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet.