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

I had heard of WLS surgery 20 years ago when early procedures were not as successful. I didn't know about the Lap RNY until I read about Carnie Wilson's surgery. I then began to study and research the procedure and the success rate. I became excited and after a year of serious thought, I finally made the decision to have it done. 7/29/01 I've changed my mind on having the RNY. While doing research, I discovered the duodenal switch procedure. I have decided this is the best option for me because I don't want to lose my pyloric valve. I need the more extensive malabsorption effect to lose the weight and keep it off. I also want to be able to eat a wide variety of foods afterward without experiencing the dumping syndrome.

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

Insurance approval was surprisingly easy. No appeal was necessary. No psychological testing was required. It was quick and easy compared to some of the horror stories I've heard.

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

It was informative and I left with hope in my heart. People should research the procedure and come prepared to ask questions. Dr. Oakley was very willing to answer my questions and didn't rush through the consultation. I appreciatied his kind, sincere demeanor.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Much prayer, followed by research.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

At first all I wanted was to have the least traumatic, least invasive procedure, therefore, Lap RNY was attractive to me. But as time went on, I discovered the DS procedure. It appealed to me so much that I decided to have it instead even though it would have to be done open.

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 have decided that I would rather take the chance of dying with the surgery/complications than to go on living as morbidly obese for the rest of my life. My kids were about grown so my most critical job in raising my children was almost over with. If I died from WLS, I knew my children would be okay on their own. I had no husband to consider, so I took this step to change better my 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?

I told only my immediate family and one close friend. I preferred not to hear any negativity about surgery before I had WLS because I wanted to stay single-minded and keep my mind and heart on my goal. I also did not feel that it was anyone else's business, and that my health issues, my weight issues, and my decision to have the surgery were very personal. I had heard back-stabbing gossip about others at work who had gone before me with the decision to have WLS and I didn't want to give the gossip mongers any fuel for fire.

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

I did not tell my supervisor what type of surgery I was having until just prior to leaving. I asked her not to tell anyone and she agreed not to. She never had a weight problem, so she didn't know or understand my struggle. She also stated once that someone we both knew had WLS surgery and my supervisor thought it was "stupid."

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

5 days in the hospital. I could have come home after 4 days, but I chose to stay an extra day because I was taken off my PCA and given oral pain meds. I was concerned about the pain threshold so I stayed to prove to myself I could handle the pain with just the oral pain meds.

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

No Complications

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 coped with my anxiety by refusing to think about the upcoming surgery. If I didn't think about it, I didn't worry. I also spent a lot of time in prayer and thanking God for the opportunity to get my life back. I reminded myself that my creator and savior was in charge.

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

Don't expect to bounce back quickly if you have an Open DS. It took me approximately 6 weeks to get my strength back, and about 8 weeks to begin feeling back to normal.

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

I didn't have to travel out of town. I was very blessed to find one of the best surgeon's residing right in my own home town.

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.

First week I was on clear liquids. Second week I was on full liquids. Third week was soft or pureed foods. Fourth week and from then on--anything I could tolerate. My food tolerances changed almost daily. What I could keep down one day didn't want to stay down the next. I had to re-learn how to eat slowly, take small bites and chew thoroughly. I still struggle with it almost 2 years later and am reminded quickly when I forget.

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

I had little or no energy the first few weeks after surgery. I slept a lot and was only able to manage walking short distances. My energy levels went way up, however, in the second month post-op.

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

Children's Chewable Daily multivitamins plus Iron Viactive (Chewable Calcium) I tried going to an adult multivitamin capsule/pill which has to be swollowed whole but found I began to forget to take them because I have a hard time swollowing pills--it's quite unpleasant to me. So I have reverted back to Children's Chewables and am now taking them daily with no problems

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?

Vomiting was probably the most severe and the longest lasting for me. I vomited almost daily for the first 6 months, and almost weekly for the first 18 months because I ate one bite too many, or didn't chew my food well enough. I guess I am just a slow learner. I don't know why else I had so many problems keeping food down.

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

Waking up in recovery and being in such intense pain that I could not breathe at times due to spasms of my stomach muscles.

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

There was no support group program in my area until I was approximately 4 months post-op. It was a very important part of recovery in the first year because of the emotional support provided by one another in reaching weight loss goals and other mile stones. After the first year, I attended and still do on occasion to support those who are just entering the WLS journey. I enjoy helping others by providing information, giving them tangible proof that our surgeon does indeed know what he is doing and help to ease their fears.

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

My scar is verticle from just below my breast to my belly button. It is pretty typical of what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I didn't have any real plateaus until I was approximately one year out, but that was simply because I was very near to my goal. After the first year I lost a few pounds a month until 18 months and then stopped losing, but didn't gain either.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Very dramatic difference in the way people treated me. Men began to look at me, hold the door open for me. People in general began to look me in the eye and smile in greeting.