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

My brother and sister-in-law both had the surgery. While they were waiting to have the surgery I became interested but I didn't think my insurance would cover it. After they had the surgery I was impressed with their feelings both of the Doctor and their results.

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

The surgery approval didn't really take to long but with Maxicare it is a step-by-step approval process. I was able to go to phase 2 about a month and a half after my consultation but after that process, I had to wait almost 3 months to see the Pulminary Doctor. I could only see the one Doctor because he is the only one that is covered by my insurance and handles this type of surgery. I think it might be an improvement if there was more than one doctor for that phase.

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

I was impressed with my first visit. We had the Dietican talk with us 1st and then Dr. Jones came in and talked about the 2 types of surgery, the risks involved with either surgery and answered everyone's questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was tired of being overweight and not being able to enjoy any fun activites like playing softball, volleyball or going to amusement parks.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr. Jones ask you questions about your lifestyle and your food likes and determined from that what would be the best surgery for you. Besides I didn't want to be in the hospital very long.

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 have had surgery before so I didn't really have any fears. If I had one, it would not have been a fear but rather a concern for the Doctor or nurses's moving me from the surgery table to my bed. I knew how much I weighed and I didn't want to hurt anyone with trying to move me from one bed to another.

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 has been supportive throughout the whole process. I didn't really tell that many people before hand that I was doing it but my close friend has been very supportive and always calls to make sure I am getting my exercising done. Everyone that knows that I've had the surgery has been supportive.

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 my supervisor what type of surgery I was having other than I was having surgery. I was off work for 6 weeks.

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

The 1st 24 hours was spent in the ICU which wasn't too bad. Day 2-3 was spent in a regular room. My hospital supplied everything from soap to a toothbrush and toothpaste. I did bring my own because I wasn't sure about that. I was in the hospital for 3 days.

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

The only problem I have had since surgery is my incision. My lower incision opened up after a week and has taken forever to heal. I had to pack it with guaze and then went to packing strips and now I just keep it covered with a guaze pad. It has been 10 weeks since surgery and I still have about a pin size hole that is draining some. Finally after 5 months my incision has healed. I guess it took me going on a Caribeaan Cruise for it to close.

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

After I got my surgery date, I was just hoping it would have gotten moved up. I was ready to get it over with and start on my new life.

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

During the 1st few days, I had to hold my stomach alot especially when I was getting up and down. The pain seemed to go away and then the 3rd week-end I was in alot of pain and seemed to hurt more than I did originally after surgery. It took me about 9 weeks before I could sleep the whole night in my own bed. The first 7 weeks I slept in a recliner and then started forcing myself to sleep in bed. I have been able to pretty much stay in bed all night for about a week now. Every once in awhile though, I still have to get up and move to the recliner. I just can't get comfortable. I use to always sleep on my sides and have never been able to lay on my back and still can't. I can't lay on my right side anymore or my back instantly hurts. Therefore, I can only sleep on my left side and after awhile it feels like I am laying on nothing but bones.

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

I traveled about 40-45 miles to have my surgery. My aftercare was not affected because her main office is closer to my house so I just started seeing her there and that is only about 20 miles.

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 think the food I have the problem with since surgery is meat. I am not having to much trouble with tuna but I do have problems at times with beef and chicken. I use to be able to tolerate real spicy foods and I have had trouble dealing with spicy foods now. I have only been eating what you call solid foods for about 4 weeks.

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

The day I came home from the hospital it was all I could do to walk to the top of the drive way. Each day I would add a little bit more to my walking and now at 10 weeks post-opt, I can walk 3 miles at once but usually try to walk 3-4 miles a day.

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

The 1st 6 weeks I had to take a multi-vitamin but haven't taken any since I have started eating regular food.

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?

The 1st 24 hours after surgery, I had the dry heaves a couple of times and then didn't have any trouble with nausia or vomiting until I started eating regular food (6 weeks post-opt) The main thing I miss is not being able to get a solid nights sleep. Even though I am in my own bed now, I still wake up several times during the night especially when I need to move.

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

The worst part of this process is probably learning how to eat again. I have never ate slow or chewed my food well. You either do or it comes back and it doesn't always taste better the 2nd time around.

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

We have several to choose from wheather it be meetings with people who have had the surgery, exercise workshops, etc. I have not been to any yet but I am thinking about attending one next month. I attended my first bariatric support meeting at the Bariatric Center in September, 2000. I have been to them ever since. I really enjoy going to the meeting because you get to meet new people. There are people at the meeting who are just thinking about surgery, waiting for approval and post-opt.

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

I don't think my scar is that bad. There are parts of it that have totally disappeared and parts that haven't. I have never had a desire to wear a bikini so I don't think the scar I do have will bother me any.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I would have to say the only plateau I have had so far is between weeks 8-9. I think it was due to not walking as much as I should have been. Between year one and two I have had two plateau's. For about the 1st y months I was on a plateau between 190-200 lbs and for the last six months, I have been on a plateau between 180-190. I was really hoping to be at goal by 2 years but I still have about 20-30 lbs I would like to lose. My problem with the plateau's are probably too much grazing. I can't snack on alot at one time but too many snacks still add up. I'd have to say I am still conscious enough to not gain more than 10 lbs but not conscious enough to get my last 20-30 lbs off.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really. Even though I have lost about 61 lbs, it isn't that noticeable yet so I would have to say people treat me as they always have. I have now lost about 184 lbs so some people do seem to treat me with more respect now than they did while I was overweight. I guess they just don't realize I am the same person inside that I was 2 years ago...I just look alot different and am a lot lighter now.