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

The cardiologist "mentioned" it to me in the hospital in Dec. 99. But I didn't give it another thought until Dec 2000. I knew it "existed", but until that time, I never thought much about it. My initial impressions of it were that forever and ever I would never be able to eat anything but tiny bits of this or that. The very thought of it scared me because I come from a very large Italian family and food has always been at the center of our family universe. The thought of spending family gatherings eating "crackers" made me so sad. I ruled it out immediately

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 problem with insurance approval. When I made the decision to have the surgery, the first thing I did was call my insurance carrier to ask what they would require to approve this surgery. I was told that all I would need is a letter of medical necessity from my primary physician. As it turned out, it was the Bariatric Surgeon's office who provided all the info the insurance carrier needed.

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

I had done SO MUCH research on Bariatric surgery prior to my initial consultation, that I didn't learn anything "new" at all. It took 5 months to get the consult so I had plenty of time to research and become extremely knowledgeable about WLS. I feel that anyone who is serious about this surgery should do their homework first and meet your surgeon with at least a basic understanding of the surgery and it's pro's and cons.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I'm not sure what made me "finally" decide. I had been out on disability for one year. And during that year I took the opportunity to find a "diet" I was comfortable with. I went back to an old fashioned calorie counting diet. I also "allowed" myself to indulge on "special occasions". I managed to lose about 30 pounds and I was actually keeping it off. But it just got harder and harder to stick with it. I was hungry all the time. Trying to stay within 1200 calories at over 300 pounds. Initially, I told myself that this was the diet I would follow...no matter "how long" it took. But, by Dec 2000 I just ran out of gas. I didn't want to "wait" anymore. I didn't want life to pass me by another minute. So I woke up that morning and told my husband I was going to look into the WLS. I never looked back from that moment on. Oh...ps....I made this decision one day BEFORE Carnie Wilson "came out" on Oprah with her WLS story. Needless to say...I was not the only one reaching out for help after that.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I actually had no choice. I had had a perforated ulcer and the surgeon told me that they could not do lap surgery because there was no way of knowing how much scar tissue had built up. That was fine with me because at the time, MY surgeon didn't do LAP surgery...He only did open incisions RNY's. I waited a long time to see this surgeon (Dr. Brolin) so it was fine with me that I wasn't a candidate for a LAP

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 guess I had your "basic major surgery" fears. I was never afraid that something would go wrong "after" the surgery. I was afraid that something would go wrong "during" the surgery. My fears were unfounded. I would tell other people that they should find a surgeon they really have confidence in. My surgeon has an impecable reputation and I never once felt that he wasn't the absolute best.

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 family and friends were and still are extremely supportive. I don't think I could have gone through with this as smoothly and effortlessly as I did had it not been for all the support I got from them. My husband, especially.

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

My employer was supportive of my decision. Hardly any questions were asked but I think that's because people have a hard time asking obese people questions about weightloss. My supervisor and some of my peers were somewhat inquisitive but "afraid" to ask too much for fear of "insulting me". Like, if they asked about my surgery it would be like admitting to me that they "know" I am fat. My closest work friends got very involved and remain so today. I was out of work for 6 weeks.

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

I was in the hospital for 5 days. The first 3 days were not the most comfortable. It was difficult getting out of bed. It is extremely important to get out of bed and begin walking. But the pain was intense and unless someone came in and "forced" me out of that bed, I wasn't volunteering on my own. The nursing staff was wonderful, but not "available" for that sort of stuff. So, my husband, family and friends took that role upon themselves and made me get up and they walked with me. It was very hard at first. The next day it got easier and the next day easier still. As far as what to bring...I brought way too much. I didn't use one of my own night gowns because the gowns the hospital provided were so large & roomy I didn't bother with my own. I brought plenty to read, and a journal to write in. I would suggest bringing a journal because I found great relief in jotting my thoughts down during that time. The moments I found myself "alone" in my hospital bed sometimes became very emotional for me. "what did I do to myself"? Jotting those thoughts down seemed to make it feel better.

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

I had no complications....to date, I still havent (10 weeks post op)

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 got my surgery date just 2 weeks before the surgery. There was some sort of mix up with the written notice and I did not receive it when I should have. So I first became aware of my surgery date when the bariatric nurse called me to say I would need to have cardiac clearance and that my pre-admission testing was scheduled for one week from then. I had so much to do to get cardiac clearance that from the moment I spoke with the bariatric nurse until the time I entered the hospital for the surgery, I really didn't have time to think about it. I don't think I ever really felt any anxiety because I had waited so long for this surgery that I was glad it was finally here. The only "anxiety" i may have experienced was knowing that I could not possibly eat all the things I really wanted to before the big day got here. My surgery was on a Monday morning so that weekend before I had to be very careful of what I ate. I didn't want a belly full of food to complicate things while I was in the hospital.

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

During the first few weeks, the pain from the surgery is still lingering. The staples are uncomfortable. The muscle pain inside is discomforting. I was tired most of the time. There are restrictions as far as driving and lifting so in addition to dealing with the "food issues", finding things to do to keep busy is challanging. It was somewhat "exciting" when I would eat small bits of food and feel "full". I had never experienced that before. It was a good feeling to know that the surgery was actually "working". I think people should expect during the first few weeks after the surgery to be dealing not only with the physical issues of the surgery but with the mental aspects as well.

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

About 15 miles.

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 released from the hospital on a soft food diet. This consisted of things like oatmeal, scrambled eggs, soup, very wet tuna & egg salads, cottage cheese and skim milk. I had problems with skim milk and had to change to the Lactaid free brand. I still have problems with yogurt and have to add drops of lactaid to it prior to eating it. I "graduated" to solid foods 4 weeks post op. I have not had a good experience yet with many of the foods I am "allowed" to eat. The three times I ate chicken, I vomited. I tried tiny little bites of pork and became nausus but did not vomit. I have tried small amounts of spaghetti, rice & noodles but became so uncomfortably full after just a few bites that I no longer attempt to eat these types of starchy foods. The foods that are still off limits to me (10 weeks post op), are corn, peas, pineapple and oranges. I still have not attempted to eat red meat because I know at this stage, I could not tolerate it. Last night I ate a few grapes. About 2 hours later, I vomited. I think that was due to the skins on the grapes. I realized it after I ate two or three. Then I peeled the rest before i ate them. I guess it was too late by then. I am just assuming the skins got trapped in the stoma so none of the grapes were able to pass through. it is and will be a learning experience for sometime to come.

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

I was unable to do a whole lot. I took small walks outside occasionally. I was able to go up and down the stairs. No lifting for the first few weeks. No driving either for a few weeks. I did go out the the drugstore the 3rd week after the surgery with my girlfiend. I felt good at first but halfway around the store, I just got all tuckered out and had to go home to rest. It is important to allow our bodies to recuperate after the surgery.

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

I took "Flintstone/Complete" chewable vitamins until I went onto the solid food. Now I take Centrum.

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 worst side effect for me was the stomach pain. HOWEVER...shortly after the surgery I developed another bout of cellulitis and had to take antibiotics for 10 days. It was during that time that the stomach pain and diarrhea were at it's worse. I haven't "dumped" yet. I have vomited on several occasions. I am not sure what caused it but I think perhaps I ate too fast. I have to be conscious at all times of how fast I am eating. It's a hard habit to break. I will be 10 weeks post op in two days. It's getting easier to tolerate some of the foods I couldn't handle before. I have had no sleep disturbences and in fact, I have been sleeping better than I ever have. I have severe sleep apnea but I do not use the bipap because I couldn't tolerate it. I never slept all thru the night. But since my surgery and having lost 50 pounds to date, I am sleeping so much better. I have not lost any hair yet, but I have noticed a few more strands in the sink during the last week. I expect to see more within the next month or so.

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

The worst part was the post surgical pain. I was not prepared for that. I had done so much research on the WLS and "life afterwards" but did not think much about the actual surgical procedure itself. I said many times while I was recuperating that had I known how much pain there was, I would not have been so "eager" to jump under the surgeon's knife. I would have done it anyway...but I would have been much more scared than I actually was. The next worst thing about the surgery was the "leak" test. I was not prepared for that nasty tasting stuff they make you drink. All I can say is "hold your nose" before you take even one swallow. It goes down much easier that way.

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

My surgeon has a support group which meets the first Monday of each month. I have not yet attended just due to the inconvenience at this time. But I spend many hours reading the postings and FAQ on this website. The information I have gathered has been invaluable.

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

My scar is about 8 inches long and it veers off to the left under my left breast. I was surprised after the surgery when I looked at it because I expected it to run vertically from my breastbone down to my navel. When I asked the nurse about it she said that my surgeon had only recenly begun using this technique because he feels his patients don't have as difficult a time recuperating with this type of incision. he used staples to close it which were removed about 3 weeks later.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I just came off my first major plateu. I have lost 52 pounds to date. But...I lost the first 50 pounds the first 6 weeks. For the last 3-4 weeks, I have lost nothing. I began riding a stationary bike one week ago and I cut down on my carbs and tried to increase my protein and I finally broke thru yesterday...losing two more pounds. It gets very discouraging, but I also was prepared for it. I'm sure there are more out there waiting for me. ****it is now one year since my surgery. I have lost 134 pounds so far. I am what I like to refer to as a "chunk" loser. I do not lose weight every week. I may go 2-3 weeks or more without any weight loss but then on the 4th or 5th week, I'll lose 3-4 or more pounds in one day. I have become use to this now and no longer get upset about not losing weight during those "plateau" periods.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet. I think I will have to lose at least another 25 pounds before it becomes really noticable on me. But...many years ago I lost a lot of weight and was thin for about 9 months. During that time I was treated extremely different. I recall feeling very angry at those people who now wanted to "know who I am" but couldn't give me the time of day when I was obese. I expect the same things may happen when I lose the weight this time...but I am 20 years older now and a whole heck of a lot wiser...I should think. ****it is now one year since my surgery. I have lost 134 pounds. I can't even begin to explain how much differently people treat me now. My friends have been very supportive. My co-workers are extremely inquisitive and very complimentary. Strangers are "friendlier".