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

I first heard about the surgery back in 1994 when my friend had it done. At first I thought I was a very dramatic "way out", but them did some research (of couse there was not much research back then regarding bariatric surgery) and found that it is a godsend. I was not able to get the surgery done then because of insurance reasons that I did not pursue. I found out about the surgery again this year while doing some research on weight loss programs and this web site popped up and got me interested and motivated again.

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

My insurance first told me that I was covered at 60% with Dr. Fox and then did some more research and found that Dr. Oh is covered at 100% so I pursued that avenue. My experience was great. I did all of the leg work for the doctor's office. I was very much involved with the insurance company person, Jeremy, and I faxed over all my paperwork myself and was approved in about a week. Advice - If you know your insurance company, find out what they need in order to submit your request to the medical review board. My insurance (Regence Blue Shield - Traditional Boeing) needed 5 separate years showing I was 100 lbs overweight. They do not have to be consecutive and I also included a weight loss (and gain) history as well as all the weight loss programs I have been on (Dr. assisted, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, etc.).

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

Dr. Oh is not very talkative at the first meeting. He wants to make sure that everyone knows the risks they are taking with this kind of surgery as well as what to expect afterwards. He will schedule an EGD (a scope where they go down and look at your stomach to see if you can even have surgery and if you already have problems like hernia, gastritis and such) and then after that you'll have a follow up to get those results. Once he determines you are able to tolerate surgery, he submits his letter to the insurance company and anything else they need to have for determination. (Everyone's insurance is different.)

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Meeting other people that have had the surgery and seeing their results (both good and bad results). Knowing my own body and knowing that if I don't do something, then my weight will just keep ballooning up until I may die from being so heavy.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted to most weight gone for me. Dr. Fox talked in one of his seminars about the different surgeries (distal, medial and proximal) and each is different with regarding to how much weight will be lost. Also each surgery you have to have different amounts of supplements and vitamins for life.

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 really did not have any fears from the surgery. I knew that if I did not have the surgery, I could have died from being obese. The fears with having surgery would be the same for any surgery, except being obese you have a higher chance from being so overweight.

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 mom's reactions was not what I expected. She understood that this was my decision and stood by me. She even showed up at the hospital to visit me much to my suprisement. I would not have communicated it differently to her, except instead of telling my cousin who in turn told her mom who told my mom, I would have told her directly myself. I have not told my father and not sure if I will.

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

I told my manager about having "stomach/colon surgery" and nothing else was said. I told my superviser and her first comment was "you having your stomach stapled? So-and-so had it done in 1988 and all she does is throw up..blah blah blah"....That's all that was said about that. I did tell a co-worker (male) and he was very supportive (he is even walking with me during lunch now). I took 4 weeks off from work so I would take my time healing and rested.

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

My hospital stay was uneventful. I was there from 08/28/01 - 08/31/01. Make sure to bring with you chapstick, lotion, and family pics or something you'd like to always look at. Don't bring books and such as you'll be so zoned from the drugs it'll be hard to read.

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

The only complication I had from the surgery (as I have with any surgery) is that I have trouble peeing and have to be catheterized once in awhile. I even had to go back to the ER the day after I was discharged to be cath'd, but now am doing great.

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 pretty anxious after I got my date, but kept myself busy to not dwell on that time. I did eat my way through all the restaurants that I knew I would not be able to go to after surgery (my poor husband gained weight as a result).

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

My first few weeks home was very uncomfortable. I ended up sleeping in a recliner from 08/31/01 until 09/11/01. I tried sleeping in a regular bed (as we have a waterbed) and since I am a side sleeper, had a body pillow behind me, a small pillow under my belly and another smaller pillow between my legs at my knees and that was great. I only took my pain pills during the first week I was home. I was constantly walking around the backyard to help work the gas out and to keep my legs moving to prevent blood clots.

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

We live in Spanaway and the surgery was in Federal Way so we had to travel about 40 minutes. It has not affected aftercare since I actually work 10 minutes from the hospital/Dr. office.

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.

The first 4 weeks after surgery I was only allowed clear liquids. Anything that is sugar free like crystal lite, jello, and popcycles. I also would mix together chicken broth and tomato juice. The next stage was 10-14 days of pureed foods. The last stage was introduction of solid foods. Take your time and chew, chew, chew your food to liquid consistency before swallowing. NO MILK, NO SUGAR. When trying new foods, don't mix together so if you develop an intolerance to it, you know exactly what it was you had that did not work.

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

After surgery all I wanted to do was sleep.....Especially after getting off the drugs I wanted a non-drug induced sleep. I am now 7 weeks post op and still pretty tired, but finally walking during lunch and even started my clogging class last night.

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

I am currently taking (not sure of the dosages): Vitamin A & D, Vitamin E, Calcium Citrate, multi vitamin chewable, vitamin C, zinc, and iron. Also 180 gm of protein a day. (So far I'm up to 3-4 shakes a day....I need to get to 5+ a day.

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 only side effect (so far) that I have experienced was after I came back from the ER from having to be catheterized, I got the dry heaves....I was only 4 days out of surgery when this happened. I thought I wanted to die. It only last 3 heaves and then that was it. I have had no other problems since.

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

Realizing that your whole life revolves around your next meal and how much food you can actually take it at one sitting and then feeling miserable afterwards. Regarding the surgery, I don't have anything to say about having a worst part.

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

I meet with Dr. Fox's support group on the 1st Wednesday of every month. I also meet at Vitalady's house for a meeting either on the 2nd Tuesday or Wednesday of every month. (Now I'm changing to attend only on Wednesday since my dancing class is on Tuesday.) The group is wonderful. We get lots of useful information.

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

My scar is from my breastbone to my belly button. I had a total of 26 staples. Yes, this is what I expected especially after seeing other people's scar from when they had their surgery.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

So far I have not had any plateau experiences. But then again I'm only 7 weeks post op.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, those who know what type of surgery I had are always watching what I am putting into my mouth. My mother was afraid that I was eating too much and I had to have my husband explain that liquids were a "free food" since it's just liquid and goes right in and out of the pouch.