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

I didn't hear about the surgery until this year, 2002, and I was really excited when I saw the changes in people on the web sites. Then I read about the surgery and eventually saw things on the news.

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

Fortunately, it did not take long for my insurance to approve my surgery. I had supporting diagnosis of sleep apnea. I also had proof of MD visits to physical therapy for my knees, and a couple of visits to another doctor for my back and neck. It was real helpful that I wrote down a health history, with all the diets I had tried and the weight I would lose and then gain back plus.

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

It really helped that I had already visited this web site to look at the surgery and complications. The visual results of the surgery of people post-op was phenominal. But the MD was still great in going over the surgery and what to expect. Ask questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I decided to definitely have the surgery when I saw all the pictures of the post-op pictures and testimonies, and when I realized that I needed the surgery as a permanent measure. If you have been fat all your life, your not going to want anything temporary. Diets and pills did not help me, it only made my skin condition worse, and I would only gain back the weight plus some.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I had two people close to me that had the band and/or staple procedure and neither one of them had good results. The first person is as big, or bigger than she was. The second person almost died and had to have a colostomy. These procedures made both persons constantly nauseated or completely sick. I talked to one girl in person that had the surgery and she was elated, and then I wrote to other people who had the surgery from the internet.

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?

This is a personal decision of your own. No one can tell you to have or not have the surgery. It is my hope that your significant other and support group/family, is as supportive as my husband is to me. You have to feel comfortable with the decision you make.

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 husband was always supportive in my decision. My mom told me about the surgery being on t.v. and was supportive at first, until she saw me in ICU with all the tubes. That freaked my mom and dad out. Even though the nurse explained to them before they came in. Now that they see I am doing great, they are really happy for me. The only thing I would have done different, was explain to my parents what to expect of the ICU experience before the surgery.

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

Well, my employer was supportive of my decision, but it is too long of a story to get into now. I am in management and had the lap procedure, so I was only out for about 2 wks.

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

My first day in ICU was hell. The young staff person that was in there did not have any bedside manner. I could have done without meeting her. All the other staff was absolutely wonderful. I was there for two days. It is very important to bring extra big underwear, or don't wear any at all. After they take the ABD pads off the incision sites, you don't want anything touching your waist. If your a lady, bring a "moo-moo".

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

I guess the only post-op complication would be my oxygen saturation. I was a smoker a month before the surgery, so my oxygen sat's were too low, that's why I had to stay another day. They gave me oxygen and breathing treatments and I did just fine.

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 did have some anxiety a couple of days before surgery, and huge anxiety the day of surgery. I would look on this web site at the post-op pictures and keep them in mind.

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

The first few days I made myself rest. The rest of the two weeks I was going absolutely nuts because I wanted to get out. I was always thirsty. Then I learned the trick of drinking small sips all day long, but not 30 minutes before or after eating. Liquid diet, jello, pudding, Slim Fast cappachino, broth.

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

I didn't have to travel that far to have my surgery. It took maybe 20 minutes to get there.

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.

My first three weeks were definitely liquids, like broth, apple juice, water, weak tea, Crystal Lite drinks, pudding and jello. My next three weeks were the above and mash potatoes, oatmeal, soft foods. I am now in the next three weeks and I can eat the above with more solid foods added. I really don't have a problem with the sugar dumping syndrome, I do drink regular Dr. Pepper and sugar tea, but it's small amounts and very slow. I can't tolerate too much meat, so right now I'm pretty much a vegetarian. I can't tolerate eggs, and it's hard to handle bacon. Bacon was so much my favorite! I can't tolerate bread, which I miss, but that's ok. I can eat pasta and rice now.

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

The first three weeks I did not lift anything greater than 5 lbs. I would walk as much as possible, but tired easily. The next three weeks I began to exercise to Richard Simon's tapes and felt great! I didn't push it though.

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

I was taking the chewable childrens vitamin, but I got to where I just couldn't take those anymore, and got permission to start taking the multivitamin with iron, enteric coated. I still drink a Slim Fast drink everyonce in awhile.

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?

At first I had a little nausea but it really wasn't that bad. I couldn't sleep well, but I believe it was because of sleeping too much and I got into a bad pattern. Then I noticed I quit having night sweats!!! I don't know what happened, but I was thrilled about that! Now, I only have nausea and/or vomiting if I eat too fast, try to eat something my stomachs not ready for, or I eat too much. Which none of the above happens too much, if you discipline yourself. The worse thing for me is feeling like you have something caught in your esophagus/tube, or feeling like you can't burp but need to really bad.

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

The worst part of the bariatric surgery process was the first day of surgery. I won't lie, it was pure hell. I think it would have not been so bad had I met that nurse before when I was trying to get up and walk the first time. USE YOUR LEGS NOT YOUR ABDOMEN OR UPPER PART OF THE BODY TO GET UP.

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

I haven't participated in an aftercare support group/program. I don't have one close to me. My support is my husband and he is really great.

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

I had the lap done, so I have six small incisions and they really aren't that bad. I didn't wear a bikini before, so it doesn't matter now.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I was losing one pound a day. I am in my 2nd month and I am not losing a pound a day, but it may be because I am drinking tea with sugar and regular Dr. Pepper.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Well, I really haven't been around the usual people because we don't start bowling until September.