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

I tried to have this done 4 years ago and was told I wasn't ready yet by behavioral med... and I'm sure now that I wasn't ready then, I wasn't ready to quit smoking, and to listen to anyone skinny without arguing that this wouldn't help me either...then four years later, I decided I was more then ready for the procedure.

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

My insurance approved me on the first try, it took about 2 weeks, no problems at all.

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

My first visit with Dr Kelly was great. They ask you if you have any questions or concerns, they go over everything they are going to do the day of surgery, while your in the hospital and when you will be discharged, and when your to see the doctor after discharged, and what to expect for pain as well. My doctor made me feel right at home right from the start.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Once you get past a certain weight, you know you need this surgery or your going to die... that's what happened to me, my weight had ballooned up over what any diet could ever get control of. I had no choice if I wanted to live a half way normal life again. The decision to have this surgery came easy to me, knowing I was prepared for what was going to happen to me afterwards.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The surgeon made that decision for me, although I didn't think I could be done laprascopicly, Dr Kelly was able to do it for me.

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 had alot of fears of not waking up after the surgery was done. But I had come to reason, that if I was going to live, this had to be done and if I died during the surgery, then at least I tried to do something. I believe if you trust your surgoeon, you have it made. You need the attitude to know your doing this to better yourself and you will survive.

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?

Everyone seemed concerned as to what if something happens... not that I shouldn't do it. Which is the same way I felt about having it done. I have a few good friends that have been by my side the entire journey. They know the feelings of having the surgery, and how I feel about being so large and they all support me in my decision to have this done. Even my boss has been supportive of this...

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

My boss was extremely supportive of my decision to have this done, except that it took about 15 months for it to actually happen. We talked about everything, we get along very well, he knew how I felt about the surgery, and was behind me having it done. I only took 2 weeks off, I used 2 weeks of my vaction, with the exception if I needed more, I still had 2 more weeks I could take, but I only needed 2 weeks off, then went back to work.

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

My hospital stay was fantastic, I had wonderful care from everyone, My surgery was on Monday and I was discharged on Thurday morning. We had a list of things to bring, but didn't need half of it. You need some money for the TV rental, (call ahead and ask if you need this...some hospitals charge for it.. others don't) chap stick for your lips, a book to read, a word search puzzle book, some deodrant, tooth brush, tooth paste, slippers, hairbrush and kotex pads in case you start your monthly... other then that, the hospital supplies you with a johnny to use and they cover all you have...

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

I simply had a puss pocket near one of the incisions, it's draining on it's own, and all that needs to be done at this time is to keep it clean and change a small bandage. 3 months later, still no complications and have lost 105 pounds.

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 tried to keep myself as busy as possible. I felt if I talked to other post ops it made me more nervous, you know everyone has a horror story to tell. I tried to keep myself calm by watching tv, listening to some music, reading, I finally got my things packed for the hospital on Sunday afternoon, the day befor my surgery.

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

I had alot of headhunger. I was on liquids for about 3 weeks, any time anyone eat anything, to me it smelled like a steak dinner with all the fixings. I went back to work at 2 weeks post op and haven't had any problems. I'm 3 months out now and I'm still having trouble to eat anything solid. Drinks are fine. I'm finding what I can eat today, I can't tomorrow. Doesn't matter what it is...I'm thinking it's the microwave drying food out. Not sure, so I'll stop eating leftovers.

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

We traveled about 40 minutes, about 30 miles... not too bad.. if fact, I drove home from the hospital when I got discharged... shhhh :)

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.

The first few weeks were just Carnation Instant Breakfast, sugar free jello, chicken and beef broths, water, crystal light, then about 4 weeks out, I started pureed foods/soft foods. I was able to eat tuna fish, cheese, creamed soups, eggs(which only lasted about 2 weeks) I started getting sick on everything. I tried cooking the eggs differently, but I still got sick on them no matter what way they were cooked. I tried chicken salad... got sick, turkey breast... got sick. Seems everything I tried to eat I would get sick on after just 3 or 4 bites. I'm 3 months out now and still have a hard time eating solids. I can eat hamburg if I cook it to pieces... I can eat potatoes. I can eat crackers and cheese. I gag on crystal light now, can only drink water now. I keep trying to do different things, some I can... some I can't... but I keep trying. Funny how I can eat something today, but can't tomorrow.

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

I'm now 2 weeks out and my energy level is higher now then it has been, I know it will improve more with time. At 3 months, I seem to be walking better, I'm not out of breathe as much as I use to be.

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

1 - Flintstone Chewables 2 - Tums anitacids (taken with meals) 1 - 150 mg Zantac At 3 months, still the above plus Iron was added

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 vomit alot on solid foods at 3 months, it's a give or take, sometime I can eat something, other times I can't. Eggs, chicken, turkey, pork cutlets, steak tips, but I keep trying to eat them periodically.

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

I would have to say the 15 months of waiting for the surgery itself, but the information I was able to get really helped. The worse part of the surgery was the extreme dry mouth. At 3 months post op, I seem to vomit on some solid foods, which I'm told is normal at first and will pass.

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

I belong to a local support group from Worcester... some support. But I received more support from the ObesityHelp.com web site then any other place online. Love their chat room there, have met alot of nice helpful people.

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

I had my surgery laproscopically done. I have 5 small scars, only one gave me trouble the first 2 or 3 weeks, but now the scars are really fading nicely.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I felt like I had stopped losing for about 2 weeks. Maybe I was eating too much or not correctly. But looking back, it really hasn't stopped for any length of time as of now, I have lost 105 pounds in 3 months post op. I'm excited with that amount so far.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not at 3 months post op.