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

When Carnie Wilson had her surgery live on the internet in 1999, I watched and waited to see her results. After a few months she was looking healthier. On her web site she said she was not hungry or had the cravings she once had. That sparked my interest because I was always hungry and never sated. However, the thought of surgery was still scary, so I kept trying other methods.

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

Liv Lite staff handled everything for me. I just had see my personal physician for a Letter Of Medical Necessity. My advice to anyone would be to call each week to find out where your case is in the process...you know, squeaky wheel syndrome.

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

My surgeon was prepared with a packet of information as well as diagrams for me to review. He was open to all questions that I had no matter how basic. I was prepared with questions I had printed off the internet and questions that my family had raised also. There are several sites you can tap into and get the down & dirty side. When you see message boards or chat rooms where people are talking, jot down some of the questions for yourself. Just make sure you do not leave his/her office until ALL your questions are answered to your satisfaction.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Dieting was not working. I would lose some, then gain more back. My last few attempts at working out at my gym resulted in injuries because I was so heavy. Also, I hurt myself walking down steps at a relative's home over Christmas and had to have a wheel chair and special lift equipment at the airport...I was so embarrassed. The Liv Lite program support/informational meetings helped me make up my mind to have the surgery done at Deaconess by Dr. Todd Burry.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

This was the only procedure available at Deaconess. Also, this was the procedure I preferred to have.

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?

Same fears as any other surgery, no different - stroke or death.

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?

Before surgery many family members and friends thought I could still lose weight by sticking to a particular diet and increase my exercise. Of course, they were concerned about the aspect of surgery. They are very supportive of my decision.

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

I'm only 2 weeks out so I cannot return to volunteer work yet. My volunteer supervisor was supportive and wished me well on recovery.

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

I was admitted 5/18 at 8:30am and had my surgery at 10:30am. I was in my private room that afternoon and feeling good enough to talk with my visitors and sit up in a chair. I was discharged on 5/21 at 11:15am and feeling great. I had been up sitting in chairs the day of surgery and walking the hallways since the second day. I had a barium xray the morning of the second day, which I handled just fine. The most important thing for me to take to the hospital was my toothbrush and toothpaste. The LivLite staff provided a BariBear to hug against when I coughed or did breathing exercises or rolled out of bed or stood from a sitting position - it really helped and now has a special place on my bed.

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

No complications. Everything was handled well, even pain control which I did not need for long when I got home.

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 happily excited. The only anxiety was planning for the "what if I have complications?" Even with that, I felt I was in good hands with my surgeon and other doctors. I was so positive about having this surgery, I guess I did not really have time to fret much.

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

My Mom stayed with me a few days after I was discharged to make sure I could get in & out of bed or chairs OK. I did not have to use my pain meds very much, just 1 dose in the morning and 1 dose at night for about 3 days. I fixed my own liquid meals, protein drinks, soups. I protected my mid section with my BariBear when I stood up or rolled over or coughed. I was caught off guard one time when I laughed very hard at an e-mail joke, but pressed my hands against my tummy as I chuckled in pain. All the pain left me completely in the first week. I wear an elastic binder to keep my mid section tight. It also makes me feel better when I am walking or sitting straight. My energy level has been more than before the surgery. This must be due to the added protein I'm ingesting and the Optisource Chewable Multivitamins.

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

I am fortunate to live in the same city where my surgeon & hospital are located. So maybe 5 miles. This makes post op visits easy to get to.

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.

In these 2 weeks I've stayed on the full liquid diet of protein drinks, buttermilk, skim milk, Crystal Lite drinks, apple juice, herb tea, decaf coffee, yogurt, SF puddings, SF jello, SF popsicles, cream of rice or grits thinned with skim milk, Medifast soups that have 14 gr protein, chicken broth. With most of these foods I have added either Beneprotein powder(6gr protein) or Unjury brand powder(20gr protein). When I go for my post op visit tomorrow I expect to graduate to pureed foods which I already have on hand, such as baby food, creamy soups, cottage cheese, and veggies that can be cooked down and pureed in the blender. So far, I have had no bad reactions to any foods.

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

Good. I think getting up right after surgery and starting to walk around the hospital right away got me off to a good start. I have been walking every day except once when it stormed.

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

Beneprotein powder, Unjury Protein powder, Optisource Chewable Multivitamins.

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 had no side effects. One day I felt nausia, but it was caused by someone's perfume, not the surgery.

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

Pre op tests and exams and waiting to see when my date would be. The pain of the surgery is forgotten.

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

The LivLite program has an open communication and I feel I can call the staff any time to ask whatever question is on my mind. Also, there are 2 different support meetings each month to attend and share situations and experiences. All of this is extremely important and helpful. Dieticians, physical therapists, and psychiatrists have spoken at these meetings to give more insight to personal challenges ahead. At one meeting we had a taste testing of several different protein sources available, so we could decide on what we liked before we purchased any at the store since some are very pricey. There are also monthly informational meetings where the LivLite program director and my surgeon address the pros and cons of bariatric surgery.

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

My scar is looking better than I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

This is only my second week, so I will comment on this later.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, my neighbor greated me with a big smile & hug and told me how good I look already! That made me feel wonderful!!