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

My regular doctor, Dr. J. Fred Brodsky, at Group Health Sauk Trails in Madison. I was so excited. I told my sister about it and she said she had just seen a bit about it on like 48 hours or 20/20 or something and was very impressed. She is glad I am trying to get it done. My son, now is trying to get approval for it, I pray he can. I don't know his weight, but he is 6 foot 4 and big. I know it will make a new person out of him, psychologically and physically.

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

I was on disability at the time of surgery, since Jan. 1998. I was on Medicaid and Medicare (the suppliment kind that I am in an HMO). I pay for half the HMO, we tried and tried, but right in the patient's rights book it says No Bariatric surgery. It didn't even matter to them that I was so close to death. Then I said, for the heck of it, let's try Medicaid. Within 4 weeks I was approved. Medicare wouldn't touch it, because the HMO didn't. You have to keep making phone calls so you know where your case stands.

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

Before I even got to see the surgeon I had to see the Nutritionist he recommended, which was about a 2 hour exam. Mostly talking, weighing and taking measurements. Then I saw the surgeon's nurse. Again, about a two hour visit. Weighing, looking at every inch of my body, questions, she was very nice and kept encouraging me. She told me some about the surgery and what Dr. Starling usually does. He stopped in on the examination for only a few minutes, but he explained what was going to happen to me. Basically what to expect afterward. I loved him immediately. He was extremely gentle and had a wonderful bedside manner, answered any questions I may have had. I knew people at the hospital and when I told them about it, they had only good things to say about him. That made me at ease immediately.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

As far as I was concerned there was no alternative for me. But, I really, really wanted it. It is a life changing surgery immediately. And I knew that is what I needed.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I was given no alternatives to different procedures. I put my life in their hands. Either way, I knew and felt that what they wanted for me was the best. Once I realized that, it was no problem for me. I didn't even worry about the surgery, I looked forward to it.

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 would say that they need nor worry needlessly (that usually means more eating.) If they are at the point where they NEED this operation, then they need only put their bodies in the surgeon's hands and leave the rest to God. I figured if I died during surgery, I would have died anyway from the complications of obesity, diabetes, asthma, sleep apnea, etc...

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 kind of told people too early, I thiink. I shouldn't have told them until I had approval. I was constantly asked when is the surgery? Yadda Yadda. ALL took it so well and encouraged me to the max. My two sisters came up, one from Indiana, and one from Illinois. I know when they saw me they were frightened, we talked about it later. I could not even do steps without holding onto something and could hardly walk. When they left, after the surgery, I had church members who pitched in for about four months until I lost enough weight that I could do things for myself. The first months I really had to concentrate on getting stronger. I did, however, have those few skeptics who told me if you just eat right and exercise you could lose the weight without the surgery. Wrong! We had tried everything else. Now they support me 100%. I know I know my body better than anyone else. Since this is my body, I make the decisions.

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

Not applicable, I was on disability and collecting from Social Security for disabled.

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

The staff on the surgery floor have seen it all, that was comforting. I was shocked when I first had a bowel movement, um, it was more like diarrhea and I couldn't clean myself, the nurses stepped right in. I would say if you are on medication for other things that need to continue after surgery, make sure they grind the medicine, or you have a little grinder with you.(You can also use two spoons and smash them that way.) It is so hard to swallow at first really hard. The first time I got a real try it was filled with things I couldn't eat. So, I drank the juice and milk and asked for water. I just couldn't eat yet.

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

The only complications I had was that while my stapling was removed and started to heal, two more openings appeared. They only opened to get out the cellulitis in the body out. No problem, I just had to keep it clean and the nurse helped with that.

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 so excited that I don't remember having an anxiety attack. I truly put it in God's hands and the hands of my surgeon and his staff. I just kept thinking of all the things I would be abel to do, even just after the first 100 pounds. That was more prevalant on my mind. Again, I was lucky. I had a surgery date, but someone cancelled, so I got to go in two weeks early and they only gave me two days notice. But that was great to me.

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

Absolutely be sure they assign a Home Health Nurse to you. At first they come often, then less like 1-2 days a week as needed. If you need them sooner call and they will send someone. Somehow I was forgotten about the Home Health Nurse. So the first week was really hard. I had to do it myself. Pretty much just gain strength, and keep fluid in me. You do run a low fever, but not too bad. If possible it is best if you live with someone or have someone home or make sure you are visited by church members or friends or family for the first month. By then you should be strong enough to take care of yourself and do a little house cleaning. I did, however, still have some people take turns to do my laundry, as I couldn't go down the stairs. If you drink too much at once, you will throw it up. If you eat too much you will either throw it up or have diarrhea. Diarrhea that doesn't wait, at the first twinge, get thee to a toilet. I had many accidents at first which was frustrating. Remember you are not eating through your stomach, that has been stapled shut, but through the opening in the small intestine, very small. EAT SLOWLY.

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

I didn't have to travel far at all. I live in the suburb of Middleton and the surgery was at Madidon University Hospital. So we are talking 20 minutes. I got a friend from church to commit herself to taking me to my doctor's visits. She got paid by mile by Medicaid's transportation. I had to call monthly to get a form and tell them all my visits that she would be taking me to. The doctor or nurse or laboratory people had to sign it. So, she got paid and I got personal service to doctor's visits. When at the hospital I always got a wheel chair and volunteers or my driver would get me to my clinic.

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.

For the first six weeks I was only allowed liquid things. Water, jello, pudding, yogurt, milk (skim), juice bars and popsicles. I was very, very thirsty all the time, but could only consume six ounces or so at a time. I could not stand the pudding or jello, so I stuck with yogurt. The sugar in those two items was so high my body rejected it and I ended up having very, very loose stools for about 3 times. It depends on your body, really. When I saw the nutritionist after six weeks I was allowed white bread, I cut off the sides, it was much better. I remember having one scrambled egg, in the microwave, and the piece of bread for one meal. Then 45 minutes later I was allowed a little water. You cannot have fluid with your meal, you fill up too quickly and you don't get the proteins you need. I also had to take Children's Vitamins with a low Iron content. Then each time I visited her, we added more things, like canned peas, or green beans, or canned peaches or whatever. The key there is Canned. No fresh fruit for a few months. Right now I can have an apple, but no skin, same with the potato. No corn yet, no nuts, things that just so digest easily. If my nutritionist said I can try something, doesn't mean I will be able to tolerate it. So try, but low amounts at first. By the time I saw my nutritionist the second time I had added a half a piece of american cheese to my egg and bread. It was delicious. Now at 6 months post-op I have added grain things like, wheat bread, Wheaties, Grape Nuts. At about 3 months I added rice. It was a nice change. And I tolerated it just fine. So I would buy Uncle Ben's bowls of rice and teriyaki spiced beef. Delicious. Before cooking I took out the things I didn't want Like spicy sauce and replaced it with sweet and sour sauce, took out onions, peppers, but it was great. Lots of things I made I had to freeze most of it. So as I made it, like meatloaf, I would take out the portion I was going to eat and then make portions and putting them in freezer bags. Microwaving them takes no time at all.

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

Very very slow at first. I mean just to get out of bed. But every day I grew stronger, I could feel it. I had to push myself sometimes, but that made me feel better. I had to take care of the cat and get water, but that only lasted four days. On the fifth day I was able to sit at my computer and check my mail. I even wrote some responses. I literally had to use one hand, I was just so tired. I could only stay on it for maybe 30 mintues at a time, then take a nap. At first I took two naps a day. By one week, I was much better and able to stay up longer and only take one nap. I did, however change chairs to get a different position and that helped, I also used pillows under me and behind me at different times.

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

Children's Chewable Vitamins with real low iron. Not adult at all, you just can't handle it. I am still on those. I am also tested for B vitamins in my blood. If low I will have to get an injection. Small doses of protein give you strength. Eggs, milk 1%, 2% if you can tolerate it, broth, chicken noodle soup, mashed potatoes, cheese,ask your nutritionist.

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 still throw up if I don't pay attention to what my body is telling me. Like, I'm full, please stop eating. (Ever hear of eyes are bigger than stomach?) Sleep was fine, no problems. I very much looked forward to 10pm to go to bed. I was too tired to even read like I always did before turning out the light. That took a couple of monthsa. Yes, I had dumping, after three days I finally called my nutritionist and she gave me suggestions to try. They worked. Hair loss took me by surprise, it was never mentioned, or I forgot that it was. I did lose hair. The problem is that my hair was thin and I had a balding spot on the top of the back of my head. My hair has stopped growing I noticed. At first my hair was shoulder length, after a month or so I cut it myself. Actually did a good job, I did have a friend trim the bottom back. I cut it once more a couple of months ago, about two months or so. My hair usually grows fast, and that is why I believe it has stopped at this point. I need to find out if there is anything to be done about that. I see my nutritionist next week, 07/09/01, so I will ask her. She, by the way, is Marge Morgan who works at the University of Wisconsin Hospital.

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

Relearning to eat and to make sure I did it slowly. The hair loss upsets me, but I will live it. Either way none of those compare to the best part ~ losing the weight ~ and getting encouragement.

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

The Hospital has Home Health Care Program. This was very important. First of all, they are available all the time. If there was a problem she called surgery clinic and asked what they thought I should do. She also gave me supplies. Very important because they pay for it, it is expensive at your local pharmacy. Now I remember one thing that did happen to me. They give you those cotton swabs so you can clean out your wound and keeping them covered. Itis also important for your ego. She was so "up" that she made me feel I could do it and told me how proud she was as to how I was getting along living alone. Most times she was the only person I saw during the week. After people heard about the weight I was losing, people really reacted to that. I sent family and friends updates after doctor's visits and how I was doing. Emails helped from them as well.

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

Well, I was surprised when I saw the staples. I didn't know what I was expecting but, they were actual staples like from an electric staple gun. When those came out, they actually used a staple remover. It did not hurt, but I just couldn't watch. The scar is fine, I expected it, no problem.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

The weight loss was so much so fast. When I would tell people I lost 45 pounds or so, I didn't take into consideration that it had only been 4 weeks after surgery. Time seemed so slow, but it was not relevent somehow. Saying it's been a month and then recognizing it had ONLY been a mont and see how much I have learned and done. That made the difference. I aslo got an electric scooter after a time. I have no car, I had given mine to my son since it was too hard to drive. So to get out I had to call people or ask them to pick something up on their way home and I would repay them. When I finally got my ramp built out of the back bedroom, it was like a weight had been taken off my shoulders. I could go to the store, I could pick up my own prescriptions and I could even do laundry, a little at a time because I can't carry that much, but it was Freedom.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, I think I am still treated the same. More Kudo's probably, but I still am not asked to participate in anyone's grilling outside or asked to go to places, I have not been to a movie in 3 years. I show promise, but I think they are waiting for me to lose more weight or something. I don't know, it could be me, too. If you have a family, you don't really think of other people who are single and their family is not around.