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

saw a commercial and said, yes this is the no brainer answer for me. I figured the hospital stay as sort of a vacation.

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

I have great insurance. most people settle for the surgery or doctor that their insurance approves. I recommend to look for the surgery you really want, the doctor to do it. Find out what insurance the MD takes, and then look into a temporary switch. If you already pay for insurance, it probably isnt too hard to switch , and if it's through work, look into any possible choices that you may be unaware of. Some companies let you switch once a year. It may be worth it to wait.Just to get the right surgery. Once you apply for approval, drive the ins. people nuts. Make them know you by first name. Don't give up or take the "it'll take a few weeks" crud.

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

I only had one meeting with the Man prior to surgery. He was unusual, in that he asked me alot of questions. I had a list. I recommend a list. I also recommend some serious self annalisis of your eating disorder. I knew I loved to eat alot. Really alot. I couldn't even think of the 2oz. pouch as an option. I also wanted statistics on regaining of weight. Dr.Klein was very honest. He didn't give me the bull most MD's do that their surgery patients don't gain back the weight. He told me straight up that you can gain weight with any surgery, if you really want to and he told me exactly how. Then he told me how not to gain any weight back. He said it was my choice.Just be really honest with your MD. The only stupid question is the one you don't ask.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Didn't want to die. Had a young daughter. Absolutely didn't want to go throught the 5-10 yrs. of dieting and then end up doing a surgery when I was ill and the odds of complications would be greater.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr. Klein explained several surgery techniques, the popular banding, and stapling ones. He gave the pros and cons, then he went into the surgeries he did. He gave me the 10 yr. results and it was easy for me to decide. I only wanted to do this once. I also wanted to be able to eat a real meal with no vomitting. Long limb was the way to go.

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 no fears , had seen grandma die from obesity and diabetes. It is a terrible way to die. Also had a mother in law who was killing herself the same way( she has recently passed away from above mentioned causes at age 57), and didn't want to join that club. Figured if it was my time, no stopping it. But also had the utmost faith in Dr. Klein. He inspires the utmost confidence.I would say to anyone who is scared, how do you want to die? Painless and asleep? or on dialysis and insulin and pain and suffering with your organs failing and you can't walk anymore or breath if you lay down and then they start chopping at your feet and legs???NO WAY. put me to sleep and let God and the doc do their thing.

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 had a weight loss surgery that didn't work for her very well, and she was excited to see my result( she has since had Dr. Klein do her revision). Husband was worried I'd lose my chest(typical male). Friends didn't think I was big enough. Some thought I should just go on a diet . I really did not ask or care what anyone else thought. I recovered quickly with out complications, so I didn't require much support.

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

I was self employed and just gave my clients notice and it was alright.I was down for 2 months, but I do hair and I worked from a stool when I started back again.

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

Stayed in Bay Harbor Hospital in Harbor City CA.(it's gone now) Dr. Klein had his own wing for his patients and the nurses where great except for one( there will always be that one from hell). I was in for 5 days . Bring a small pillow for when you have to cough to hold into your tummy.

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

I was fortunate, and had no complications. I followed all instructions to the letter.

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 only had anxiety in the hospital waiting to go into surgery and the surgical nurse came in and basicly told me that next to God, no one could do a better job and I felt much better.

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

Pain oh yeah, pain. Take the meds. Don't be tough. DRINK THE PROTIEN. Do not be stubborn . Do what they tell you. They are right. You will not heal if you do not follow instructions. Do not get a bad attitutde. You will only be on the restrictive diet for a few weeks and that's nothing in the scope of your life. FOLLOW THE DIET PLAN. You can eat the junk later, now is the time to heal.

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

I was within 10 min of dr. Kleins office and hospital. Made things real convienent.

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.

At first liquid only then progressive through soft foods to solids over 5-8 week period. Everyone is different, also depends on the procedure. I was on solid food in 6 weeks. I had to avoid salad and fiberous foods for 3 months. I was told to stay away from fats and sweets or I would suffer. I took my time trying things and so far can tolarate everything except super sweet deserts like big mountian fudge cake.

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

Stayed down for several weeks, and progressed at a leisurely pace, but started to feel really good, and at 3 months out, popped my insision inside, got a hernia and that was not fun. I don't recommend moving furniture.

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

I took the stuff they recommended for 6 months, then found MetRX shakes. Did that for a few years, but during pregnancy, couldn't tolarate it and switched to Amino 2222 liquid protien. I mix it with sugar free kool aide. I take iron and reg. vitamins too.

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?

Had long limb bypass, so none of the above problems, but I feel for those who have all that.

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

The worst part was coughing. OUCH!!! Make sure you have a pillow.

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

I have never attended any support group, although Dr. Klein has asked me to go. I listen to the complaints of patients in the office waiting room and get very frustrated by their lack of cooperation with the doctor. Many of these people are not doing anything they are supposed to be doing and are outraged that they have serious problems. I have previously felt that I would offend people at support groups with my honesty and lack of tackfulness. I think support groups can be really great, if they are truely support, not a complaining session for a bunch of people who are rebelling against their MD.

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

Dr. Klein is the bomb! Scar is great. I did keep the tape on it for a month longer than he said was necessary. lost my bellybutton, though.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I lost steadily then stopped where I am at. Guess this is good.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not alot, because I was in huge size denial.