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

I heard about an acquaintance having had it done. I thought it sounded a bit extreme, but after alot of research, decided it was exactly the tool I needed to help me.

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

Fortunately, my doctor has a lot of experience in submitting to insurance companies, so he did all the work. My first company (HMO Blue- Blue Cross/Blue Shield) denied me within 2 weeks. I fired off an appeal letter but also changed insurance companies. I kept checking with HMO Blue about the status of my appeal and ran the gamut of responses from "Sorry, we never got it" to "Well, that person is no longer with the company and all her mail is sitting in a pile". I don't ever recall being so disgusted. Fortunately, my second insurance company (Empire/Metrahealth) approved me within 2 weeks. I finally heard from HMO Blue one week before my surgery. The denied my appeal.

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

I met with Dr. Lirio with another woman who was also comtemplating the surgery and a woman who had already had the surgery, 4 months before. It was great talking to the post-op while we were all waiting and Dr. Lirio directed some of our questions to her so that they could be answered with firsthand knowledge. Dr. Lirio explained the procedure, drew us pictures and showed us models. He addressed all of the major potential complications and his procedures for dealing with them. He gave us a brief physical exam. He then spoke with us individually regarding co-morbidities etc... and asked that we speak to a psychologist and an endocrinologist before making a final decision.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

After all the diets that I have tried and failed, I saw this as a last ditch effort. It seemed to address all of the problems that made dieting impossible for me.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The Fobi-Pouch made me feel better about my inside "changes". It seemed that the intestinal pouch made things just that much safer.

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?

Complications never entered my mind. I always figured those could be dealt with. I was scared to death I was going to die under anesthesia. I wrote each of my family members a letter prior to going in. I figured it was pretty normal for me to be afraid. I figured it was either die trying to have a better life or live the rest of my life as a miserable woman. I don't like to be miserable.

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?

The only people who knew about the surgery were my immediate family. I like to say that they were cautiously supportive. My husband was petrified that I was going to die. I never told any friends because I was afraid they would think I was being too extreme. Over time I have told quite a few people, friends and acquaintances and I can't get over how supportive everyone has been. The only flak I get is from my obese friends.

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 for eight weeks and still haven't told them why. I'm a police officer and didn't feel confident going back any sooner.

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

I don't remember the first day at all. The next day was very painful. Thank God for self-actuated pain medication. They got me up and walking that morning and OOOOHHHH! But, I must admit that every time I got up and walked, I felt better. I was in the hospital for 5 days, only because my Doctor was being very cautious. If I could have only brought one thing it would have been lip balm. The medication totally dried out my mouth and lips. Ice chips are great for the mouth, but do nothing for your poor parched lips.

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

I never had one single complication. I couple of suspicious twinges that I quickly called the Doctor about, but they turned out to be nothing.

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 was elated. On Cloud Nine. Scared to death. What had I done? Naturally, I ate. I had about 64 "last suppers". I wasn't all that concerned about the pain, just dying during surgery, so I wrote my family members each a letter and that helped to calm me somewhat.

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

Every day got progressively better. At the two week mark when the Doctor took out the stomach tube things improved greatly. After that I had no pain and was actually feeling great. I was quickly getting used to my new way of eating and the pounds were just falling off.

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

I travelled 190 miles, about 3 hours away. The Doctors assistant was great about scheduling all the pre-op stuff on the same days. The ride home was a little unpleasant. I took a pain pill right before we left and tightened up my belly band. I lived. After that I just had to make my Doctor visits a day trip. It's always been my day for myself. My doctor made sure that my local physician was up on what we had just done just in case something did happen.

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 a horrible dieter and I am a bad post-op patient. I was told to stay on a pureed diet for 10 weeks. I lasted 1. I was eating pizza (1/4 slice) by the end of the second week. The only things I cannot tolerate are refined sugars (major league sick) and heavy doses of fat (very gassy). I do have a little trouble sometimes with very spice foods like hot mustards and hot peppers. I've noticed that my tastes have changed. Some things that I used to love, I can't stand and vice-versa. I've noticed that my pouch is a tiny bit bigger now, too.

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

By the time I got home, 5 days post-op, I was walking quite a bit, but still a little slump-shouldered. I was able to stop using pain medication after a full week. I took a lot of naps. As soon as my stomach tube was removed, at 2 weeks, I felt great.

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

My doctor insisted on Theragran-M vitamins, 1000mg B-12 every day, Chelated Iron and Vitamin E every day. I'm supposed to get a supplemental 24g of protein every day too.

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'm only nauseaus if I overeat or eat refined sugars. You learn not to do that very quickly. I've only dumped twice, and again that was from sugar. I'm losing alot of hair now. I know it is only temporary and I don't worry about it.

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

I guess it would have to be the pain. I have never been in that much pain in my life. But I'll tell you what, I'd do it all again tomorrow.

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

My only support group is the Association for Morbid Obesity and it has been a tremendous help. There is no actual support group within 150 miles of me so I am very grateful for this site.

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

I was surprised what a good job my surgeon did closing my incision. I had 33 staples and the line was initially about 7 inches long. I've lost 70 pounds so far, most of it from my torso and the scar is shrinking! I swear, it is only about 4-5 inches long now, very narrow and is turning a pale pink and almost white in some places already. It is certainly no beauty mark but it's nowhere near as bad as I imagined it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

So far, none.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Absolutely! Men doing double takes, women discussing fashion. Strangers are friendlier