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

I first heard of WLS 2.5 years ago when i was a senior in High School, i was playing on the internet one day and came across an article...i knew from the minuet i saw it that this is what i wanted to do...but i still didn't jump the gun... i researched it for 2 years before making any final decisions, and met people who had it done...and listened to the stories, both good and bad.

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

I was approved with the first letter, but it did take 2 months, so i guess just keep calling the ins. co and try to push it along as much as possible.

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

My first meeting with Dr. Coster was short, but to the point...he looked at my weight and age along with the diets i'd already tried, and said "you're a perfect canidate". Just remember, if you have any questions, ask them!!!! Don't hold any back.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was working for a Photography company in my small home town, and the man that did all the computer work there, i had noticed was melting away, so i asked him how, while thinking to myself that it was WLS, and he told me and then introduced me to his wife who also had WLS, and looks wonderful. I also decided to do this because i was sick of being FAT, and every diet failing. Being only 19, i have my whole life ahead of me, and i prefer to live it like a "normal" person, if there is such a thing.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My Dr. made that decision, but since i trust him completly, that is what we did.

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?

At first i had a date of Feb. 13th 2001, and i was petrified (sp). I found myself thinking about What If's, and negative ones at that...but then there was some confusion with the insurance company, and on Feb. 11th I ended up being sicker than a dog...so i took that as an Omen...that it wasn't supposed to happen for me on the 13th, maybe something would have gone wrong, and i would have died. When i got the 2nd date for 2-27-01, i felt much better, i wasn't scared at all until i was at the hospital and they were ready to wheel me to surgery...at that point i looked at my mom with tears in my eyes and asked "mommy, can we go home?" and she told me no...i had come this far, we weren't turning back...and we didn't!!!! And i thank her for that.

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?

So far everyone has pretty much been supportive...there are a few exceptions, like the people i didn't tell, but found out while i was laid up in the hospital, but i think they still support me, they are just angry i choose not to tell them what was going on. And of course you have those people who pretend to be supportive...by best friend claims to be behind me all the way, but i private, she has been telling people i will fail. I think that is because she has always been the thin one, (180#)and now i am going to weigh less...i guess she isn't a real friend after all. This is one way to find out who your real friends are...Pay CLOSE attention to your relationships as you shrink down to the smaller you.

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

I had just started a new job when i got my first date. I hadn't even been there for 2 days when i had to tell my boss i would need some time off for a surgery in a matter of weeks. My boss was really supportive, no questions asked, just concerns with my health. I ended up being out of work for 2 weeks, and am now, two weeks post op working 10 hour days 5 days a week.

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

My stay in the hospital was ok...i had two nurses that i just adored!!! I was in the hospital for 6 days (with no complications). My advise for the hospital stay...make sure you shower, NO sponge baths, you feel much better if you can sit in a chair in the shower and enjoy it.

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?

After i got my surgery date i had many emotions. I was scared about how things would go in the operating room, yet anxious about the turn out...i cried a lot during the whole process, expically after the approval.

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

I was very sore for the first 4-5 days home, and couldn't really be alone for long...i couldn't get up by myself. I couldn't sleep through the night, i always ended up sleeping through the day.

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

My hospital and surgon are 2 hours away, but my surgon is cool about me following up with my home town doc. Remember, if you are traveling far, bring pillows or heavy blankets for the ride home, you'll want them to put pressure on your stomach...you'd never believe how bumpy the smoothest road can seem.

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.

Cottage cheese became my best friend 8 days after surgery...and from then on i slowly progressed on to eating whatever i wanted, but in moderation. I can no longer do chinese food...i thought maybe it was just going to be like that in the begining, but here i am updating almost 9 months post-op, and i tried Chinese today, and boy am i sick. I can eat about 1/2 to 3/4 of a cup at each meal(that is if you visualize everything you eat put through a blender first).

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

I was pooped for the first week or so home, but slowly i was feeling better, and the more i lost the better i felt...after about 30 pounds were gone, i couldn't wait to go out in public!

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

I don't do the protein drinks, i can't keep them down, but i try to get all the protein in with meals. I also take a mega multi vitamin.

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 learning how to eat was the worst for me...thinking you can have that one last bite...no you can't!!!

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

Having to rebuild all the muscles in the sotmach, learning how to eat again and knowing when you are full, and deffinatly dealing with the HEAD HUNGER

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

I am a mamber on Obesityhelp.com obviously, and they are kind of my life support...if i need advise or anything i know i can go to them, and get tons of input1

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

My scar has faded quite a lot and has shrunk! It looks a lot better than i thought it would.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Every other month i seem to slow, and then i will pick back up...at about 7 months post-op i was at 195 and was stuck there for 6 weeks, but am now, 2 weeks later, down to 184

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes!! but i love it things are so much better for me now...i know no one should treat me any different, but some do. Some just love to be around me, and others won't have anything to do with me.