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

I saw it on the news, and thought that seems to be too drastic.

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

I had no personal experience. I had/have blue cross/blue shield through the Federal Employees Health Program, and the surgeons office walked me through the steps i had to take to qualify. I took those steps when the doctor told me to, and was approved with no problems on my part. I have no idea what hoops the doctor needed to go through.

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

The hospital stay was good. I was in for three days, and was well taken care of.

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

I have had a problem with nausea since the surgery nearly eight years ago. After trying many meds Zofran gives partial relief. I am able to eat pasta, vegies, and some fruit. Meat is a problem. About a month after the gastric bypass i developed an unrelated infection that turned into septic shock. I spent about a month in ICU, another month in the hospital and another month in a rehabilitaion hospital.

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 really did not feel any anxiety. The time to the surgery date seemed to pass too slowly.

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

I was hungry and nauseas at the same time. I had the surgery on September 16th and went to the hospital with an unrelated infection on October 15, 2003 and spent the next three months in hospitals. So i would not be a typical case. Eight years out i still have to deal with the nausea.

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

Klamath Falls, Oregon is about 120 miles. This offers no problem except in the winter months when the weather can offer a problem.

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.

My diet limits have been about the same. I do not handle meat (beef, pork. lamb or chicken) very well. Eggs are also a problem. Pasta, vegies and most fruits are okay. Sweets are no longer appealing. Yogurt and cottage cheese are good, and the occasional bowl of ice cream. Oat meal, rice, potatoes (any form), beans, quinoa and coucous are good. I used to eat chili peppers (jalapenos and habaneros)before the surgery, but now they irritate my digestive system now.

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

Nill. Now I go to the gym three times a week.

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

In liquid form, orally dissolvable or chewable I take vitamin D, Vitamin B-12, multi vitamin without K ( I take coumedin), iron, calcium and magnesium. As well as a protein drink that has 50 mg of protein. I take the iron and calcium because i developed anemia and osteoporosis. I can not take vit K because it negatively affects my blood with the coumedin.

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 have had a problem with nausea since the surgery. I wear a CCAP at night for sleep apnea. At times i still have a problem with dumping.

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

The nausea. When i go out with friends i never know ehen it will hit. I can be very hungry one minute eat a couple of bites and become nauseas and unable to eat anything. I never know when it will hit. I usually take an orally dissolvable zofran before going out. Sometimes that works.

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

I went to a group here for a while. However i lost too much weight and was nauseas all the time. I had the problem of needing to gain weight back and increase my appetite. I was no longer relevant to a group preparing for surgery or trying to lose weight. If i can eat it and it has calories i consume it. High in calories is something i look for now.

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

There is no scar to speak of. I have much bigger scars from my appendix and gall bladder being removed. Those were both open incisions.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had none I quickly lost 250 pounds and have slowly gained back about 30 which is a good thing.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No