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

Some one told me about the OSSG email list. I thought that this was a last resort and I was a failure because I was thinking this is my only way out.

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

Well, Dr. Rutledge submitted the insurance letter to the insurance company. I called them frequently and actually found out about the approval before my contact person did.

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

In order to have the surgery, you have to go to a clinic where he describes the surgery, answers any questions, collects completed packets if you have them and meets with you one on one. When I found out when clinic was in April, I talked my husband into taking me to Durham the weekend of clinic. He thought he was going to visit with his sister while I went to this clinic, but I took him. He was totally clueless as to what it was about. I was that scared! By the time the clinic was over and we had our personal interview with Dr. Rutledge, he was completely supportive.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Once I got over the initial feeling of failure, my decision was fast and I was in surgery within three months.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The MGB was the most unevasive surgery of all of them. Recovery time was fast and revisions or reversals are always an option. And, what was required of us to even be considered impressed me tremendously!

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?

Learn as much as you can! Study, study, study! Talk to other postops, at least 10. Find the procedure you are most comfortable with. The one you think you can live with the rest of your life.

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?

With this surgery, you have to get a letter from your family saying they support you before you can be approved. They have to be willing to be there with you before, during and after surgery to give you the support you need. So, when you have this surgery, you have your support system in place.

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

I never went back to my job. It was a retail job I didn't really like. Once you talk to other postops, you will find a variety of reactions. Most say they are back to work within a week.

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

The procedure I had was laproscopic so I was only in the hospital overnight. I had to report to the hospital by 7:00 am and was in surgery by 10:30 am and checking out of the hospital by 9:00 am the next morning. I didn't bring much of anything to the hospital because I knew I was only going to be there overnight.

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

No complications at all. I had bit of pain and discomfort from the five port hole areas.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

Within a couple of weeks, I was pretty much back to normal as far as feeling healthy. My energy levels rose dramatically. I was eating semi solid foods by this time and was losing well. I did not feel much anxiety except trying to keep track of the supplements and medications I was on. One of the problems, which is a pleasant one, is the fact that my options grew. I was no longer a one store shopper, Laine Bryant. All of a sudden the whole mall opened up to me and I was in visual overload. I had to TALK myself into going into a store because I COULD now! It's like having a brain transplant. You have the same thought patterns as you did when you were fat but in a skinnier body!

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

They should expect some changes in your energy levels, your outlook on life, how you eat and what you eat. Things change quite rapidly. They should be supportive and watch the transformation as time goes on.

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

My surgery was done in North Carolina. It is a five hour drive. I stayed with my sister-in-law there in Durham for about four days before flying back home to VA. I was very blessed to have her there.

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.

Well, the first two weeks were mainly alot of sipping. Liquids were my main diet and I could not take a normal drink for quite awhile without feeling sick. I went to soft bland foods after about two weeks and I couldn't tolerate meats for about the first three or four months. Red meat came a month or so later. I really had no off limit foods. It was just what I felt my stomach could tolerate as time went on. Now I eat anything.. which isn't always good *grin*.

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

Increasingly more and more. I am amazed at how much I could accomplish as time went on and how less tired I became with every day activities.

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

I take three multivitamins per day without iron and take three of the Gentle Iron by Sulgar. I have a problem with regular iron. I take calcium, potasium, flax seed oil.

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 did not dump much. I hate to dump. In my five years, I have probably dumped four times. I just have to remember to chew everything well and eat slow then I'm ok. Losing hair came about six weeks after surgery. I have thick hair so I enjoyed having thinner hair for a change. It pretty much all came back in time. Depression, a little. Of course, I've always had this problem so I don't know if I can contribute all of it to the surgery side affects. That's about it.

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

Getting my supplement and meds schedule straight. I am terrible at taking pills! Other than that, it was a good journey.

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

After care is EXTREMELY important. Our surgeon sponsored support meetings, picnics and banquets every year for all of us to get together. Because they are in another state, I didn't get to many support meetings. I am so happy for the support in my area. Please, always try to find a support group.

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

Five small 1/2" port scars. Yes, it is fine.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Well, I never weighed myself unless I had to so that was at 3, 6 and 12 months. I finally bought a scale after I reached my "size" goal. I always went by my size to show my progress. So I have no idea what kind of plateaus I had.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES YES YES, they smile, they talk, they are very very different.. of course, so am I!!!!