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

My mother has an unsuccessful surgery in the early 80's and nearly died. But what the hell she was gonna die from being fat anyway. I knew it could be successful though so I kept looking into it until I found the doctor that was successful.

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

My doctors office was wonderful, they provided the neccessary information, knew how to deal with them and was initially successful.

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

My first meeting I was skeptical to say the least, but excited. Dr Oakley was experienced and had a reputation for being that way. He was kind and explained everything, most of all he let me know I had a future, not one filled with hatred toward myself, but one I could change with his help. Be patient with the doctor, they are there to help, they know what you want to acheive and can only give you the tool that you can use, they cant do the work for you.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was discusted with my life, my body, my looks and the way peolpe looked at me. The decision was easy!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The doctor told me the best procedure for me, I belived in his decision and it has proved accurate.

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 didn't really have those fears. Sad enough I was willing to do anything to acheive weight loss. I spoke to the anesthesiologist and expressed some concerns about the care, but the hospital and the doctor were great. My fears were adressed, although minimal, in the office.

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?

Well guys, my husband left me. Yep, three days before my surgery he up and packed his stuff and left. I think it was the fear of change or the fear of losing me. I was so wrapped up in my needs for change I forgot to address his. We weren't apart long and got back together right away, which I reccommend. But he is happy about the changes now and so are my kids. They call me little now.

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

I actually had to quit my job due to the issues with my husband, but I was able to go to work right away. If I had not quit, a week would have been more than sufficient. I didn't even have any pain, it was wonderful.

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

My hospital stay was reletively short. The first day as with anything was the worst. I was groggy and I did experience a lot of back pain. The doctor said it was the gas they fill your stomach cavity with. They gave me a water flowing heat pad and that helped. I started walking just a few hours after surgery. The worst part is they tell you to expell the gas, but they don't tell you what happens to you the first time you do....oh god! Bring your own gowns!!!!

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

I didn't have anything! I just got healthy, lost weight and feel great. The only thing I have now is skin. I wish I could find a burn center who wants my skin for burn victims. I cant afford plastic surgery so yes I have lost a lot of weight, but I am so embarrassed about the skin.

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. I knew I had made the right decision. I went out and celebrated.

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

The first four days I was quiet, but remember my huband had walked off. I was emotionally struggling with that and having to move due to him leaving. I was quite energenetic, surprizingly! I tried to stay quiet and give my body time to heal. By the fourth day I was going stir crazy, had no pain and felt great. By the 10th day I was feeling as though nothing had happened, I just couldn't eat to entertain myself. I felt great!

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

My doctor was local and so I didn't have to travel.

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 couldnt tolerate the shake that the doctor wanted me to drink, it upset my stomach, but I drank most of it anyway. I knew sugar was off limits so I have avoided it, for the most part. I started on foods quicker than most I think, I have tried to never stretch my stomach. I was on the soft foods for around two weeks, then slowly added things. I took my time adding foods. I never found anything that bothered me except beef jerky, oh boy I think I didnt chew it up. Gassy foods are still an issue, carry gasx. The gas has no where to go and builds up. I thought I was having a heart attack one night around Thanksgiving so 4mo or so after surgery, I never knew for sure what caused it but the gas was pushing on my insides. I have not had insurance since my surgery so I could'nt go to the doctor. It may have been wise. I dont really have any food stories, the only thing I cant tolerate is spaghetti sauce, too acidic, sometimes shrimp and I can only eat small amounts of sugar. But I know what I am supposed to eat and simply avoid what I'm not.

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

My energy was nonexsistant prior to surgery, I tried to ride bike but it hurt. I tried to walk but my legs would ache. I couldn't play with my daughter for long because my feet would hurt. As the weight came off my energy boosts were amazing. I started to encrease my exercise and a year and a half after surgery I joined Jazzercise. I couldn't do the whole excercise though because I would get dizzy from the low iron or we were never sure and I couldn't afford to go to the doctor. But I have so much energy now, have a great time riding bikes and going places.

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

I take Iron because I was anemic. I take a few herbal and vit supplements like vit b 12, calcium, biotin, a multi and I take some others that have helped.

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 have had very little nasea, the nausea was from the protien shake the doctor had me taking. I have always had problems with sleep but to be honest it did get worse. I never had dumping and only experience problems from sugar a bout twice. My hair really thinned and therefore I added biotin to my diet, I also used Nioxin for awhile and although expensive, it really helped. After a year or so things really slowed down, now three years out I still avoid that which I was told would cause problems. I drank a margarita the other day, that was not good and I had a bad reaction to the sugar, sweating, elevated racing pulse, felt really weird. Wish I could get insurance there are things I'd like to talk to a doctor about.

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

Easy!!!!!!! The skin. I cant afford plastic surgery and I feel so sad about the fact that I went through all that to lose weight and now I hide my body because of the skin. The second thing is insurance, knowone will take you on after surgery. You must go group and my husbands employer doesn't supply ins. so I can't get coverage.

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

It is very important you need someone to talk to that can understand the changes. I have had to go it alone, I am too far away from my doctor to attend meetings, but I get a newsletter. The doctors who perform surgery here have support groups but they wont et me go. I guess that means I cant afford any support and so I know it's important, I also know I don't have the availability.

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

Very small but compared to the saggy skin the scars are nothing!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I hit a plateau, I am there now. I stopped losing weight and would slowly lose a pound or two. I called the doctors office and asked if I was done losing, they just told me to be patient. I lost two pounds a month for about six or seven months.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I am treated like a person now. It angers me there are actually people who wouldnt give me the time of day fat that have actually wanted to be closer now. Fat people are treated so different. When I walked in a room fat people looked away, almost afraid of themselves, now they smile and greet me. I am the same person my insides scream!