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

I first learned about bariatric surgery from the Roseann Barr TV show with Dr. Fobi. I first thought it was too good to be true. I'm not an overly religious person, but there was a reason I was home that day (Good Friday April 1999)and not working. A power greater than myself was in control.

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

I had no trouble getting my health insurance to approve the surgery. My doctors office called it in to the insurance company and was given an approval the same day.

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

My first visit with Dr. Amaral was very positive. I was a little knowledgeable about the surgery thanks to the web.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

After learning about bariatric surgery I couldn't wait to have it. I was certainly nervous about taking such a big step but I was at the point in my life where ending the pain of being overweight was very important to me. Either by losing weight (which seemed to be impossible since I had tried every diet only to regain more weight) or ending my life. So learning about this surgery was a God sent.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided I wanted the tried and true method and opted for open surgery.

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?

If I said I didn't have any fear I would be lying, I was afraid of dying but even more afraid of living in my fat body. Though I did not have any other problems but morbid obesity I knew it was only a matter of time and the complications would start. I felt that the risk of surgery was far less than living as a morbidly obese person.

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 family was not to happy with my decision to have the surgery, and some of my friends were even less encouraging. So, since I had already made up my mind I went and had the surgery and told only a VERY few people (my husband, son, daughter-in-law, sister, cousin, and two best friends, NO ONE ELSE.) I wanted to be surrounded with people that supported my decision not people that thought I was wrong. After losing over 120 lbs. and feeling and looking great MOST of the "doubters" after changed their minds and been very supportive. My surgery was Sept. 28, 1999 and after almost 2 years I feel just wonderful. I also feel it is time I shared my experience, hopefully it will help others.

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

I did not tell any one at work about my gastric bypass surgery. I told them I was having some gastric problems and possible having my gall-blader removed. Which by the way they did not remove. I was out of work 8 weeks.

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

I went into the hospital on Tuesday morning at 6am, I was operated on that day and went home 7 days later on Monday at 4pm. I was pretty comfortable for the most part, however the first day post opt the nurse got me out of bed and then left me sitting in a chair for 1 1/2 hours without my call button. When she finally returned to help me back to bed I had a few choice words for her. For me I brought things to read and had a TV in my room. But mostly I was sleeping on and off.

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

No complications thank God!

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

Sometimes I had gas not painful but gas. I was before surgery and are still in couseling, which helped me cope with any anxiety.

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

Everyone is different but I didn't take any pain medicine, I was very tired and took lots of naps.

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

Local hospital in Rhode Island. Rhode Island's only 40 miles wide so not very far.

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 could not drink "water" I would get sick and vomit up the water. I ate baby food in 2oz sizes about 6 times a day. I added foods slowly.

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

Not much activity, very tired, took a nap daily.

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

I take a one a day type vitamin with iron and potassium. I had my blood tested every 3 months and everything was fine.

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?

Nausia if I eat too fast, vomiting if I eat too much, dumping if I eat the wrong thing. You learn real quick what you can and can not eat. They still persist if I eat things I shouldn't.(too much fat or sugar) How did I cope?? I didn't eat things that gave me nausia, vomiting or dumping again.

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

For me the worst part was dealing with the "negative people". Always saying "you'll only gain it all back". I really needed to hear THAT.

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

I attend a support group and find it very helpful. It's good to know you are not alone in the way you feel.

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

My scar is about 6-7 inches long and far better than being fat. The only people who see it is my husband. It was what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I reached plateaus and stayed there a few days and then moved on again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Absolutely, I have tried to explain this to people who are not fat and they do not understand...but people treat you like your not there when you are obese and entirely different when your of a "normal" body size.