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

I heard of gastric surgery in the 70's sometime. I had a very negative reaction to it and believed that I would never do that. Felt that it was very unsafe with questionable outcomes. Later, I heard more mixed things and most lately, more positive things. A friend at work had it and she's doing beautifully. Also, 2 other women in the building I work in have had it, and I understand that they also are doing well. So I asked my friend who did hers and she told me. I did lots of research on the Internet and decided to at least ask my doctor for a referral to Dr. Anez. After my husband and I met Dr. Anez, I decided I wanted to go through with it.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Sick and tired of being so fat and lack of mobility. Scared of being so different.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Research

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?

Had the usual fears, but decided that I was better off dead than alive at my weight. I had a good surgeon and put my trust in him.

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 mother bawled. The rest of my family accepted it. They were very supportive. Everything went well.

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

My supervisor was supportive. Someone else in my immediate office had had the surgery. I was out 6 weeks but could have gone back to work sooner if I'd wanted to.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

Very helpful. It was essential to go -- need the information for post op, for success.

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

I was there the minimum and I forget how many days. Bring the stuff they tell you to. Care was skilled except for the night nurse who was a bozo. He didn't like it when I used medical terminology, as if I had no right to use it.

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

I had a stricture and they did a balloon procedure endoscopically to loosen it up.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

Took it one day at a time and just tried to enjoy each da y.

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

To take it easy, do as you were told with regard to food and water.

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

30 miles. no

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 did very well. The only things I cannot eat 11 years after surgery are combinations of sugar, fat and dairy, such as cheesecake, key lime pie and rich, full-fat ice cream.

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

Not very high. I didn't exercise as much as I should have.

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

multi's, vit c, magnesium, B12, b-complex, zinc - Iron (occasionally), Vit D, selenium

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?

did not have much of any of it

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

I just didn't lose a lot of weight -- went from 353 to about 280. This year - 11 years later, lost another 30 pounds after knee replacement surgery and am struggling to keep that off.

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

None.

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

about 3 inches. Better than I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

After 8 months, I stopped losing

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, I am still treated like a fat person, but not like a freaky fat one.