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

I FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS SURGERY THROUGH A FRIEND WHO HAD IT DONE IN JULY OF 2000. I WAS APPREHENSIVE AT FIRST, BUT AFTER A LOT OF RESEARCH AND MEETING WITH THE SURGEON I QUICKLY BECAME VERY COMFORTABLE WITH IT AND CONFIDENT THAT IT WOULD WORK FOR ME.

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

I got approval fairly quickly and did not experience any problems in this aspect of the surgery. Definitely have a "medically necessary" note from your primary physcian and also have a detailed list of all of your medical problems.

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

My first visit was wonderful. My surgeon made me feel as though I mattered and was going to do everything he could to help me with my life long battle with obesity. Your first meeting is very important and it is imperative that you are honest with your surgeon and realistic about your goals. Have a detailed list of your medical problems including family history and a list of the diets you have tried.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My depression had gotten worse and I had no energy. I did not want to have the medical problems that both of my parents suffer from and I didn't want to die or be disabled.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

A lot of internet research; talking with a friend who had the same surgery and having a detailed visit with my surgeon and family physician.

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 was scared to death the day of the surgery...wondering if I had made the right decision and if I would have a lot of pain. Just have confidence in yourself and your surgeon and you will be fine. Also put your trust in God and HE will guide you in the right direction. Just for the record I had no pain or any complications and don't regret my decision.

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 and friends were very supportive, but also a little worried since it is major surgery. I would not have communicated anything any differently now than I did when I made my decision. I had made this decision on my own and was going to do it no matter what. My mom has been my biggest supporter along with my best friend Bonny. The other family members and friends are "over it" so to speak and don't offer much in the way of support, but this is fine with me.

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

My employer was supportive in that they gave me the four weeks off that I needed. I had a note from my surgeon from the start to give to them. I was out a total of four weeks, but that was because I did not have a job that required physical activity otherwise I would have been out at least six weeks.

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

My stay at Palms of Pasadena in St Petersburg was wonderful. They have their own wing just for bariatric patients with a very competent staff that really cares about you and does all that they can to help you. I had my surgery on a Monday and went home that Thursday afternoon. Bring nice big comfy clothes, slippers and housecoat. This is about all you will need.

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

I had no complications with my surgery.

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 excited about my surgery. I kept doing research on the computer and read others stories to keep me focused and reassured that I was doing the right thing. I talked a lot with my mom and did a lot of praying for guidance and comfort.

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

I was sore and tired the first two weeks. Not overly sore...just achy if that makes sense. Don't expect to be a bundle of energy right away...this takes time. You will have an increase in energy with each passing week and just need to be patient, don't try to overdo things and follow your post op instructions.

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

I traveled about 100 miles to have my surgery because there was no hospital in the central florida area at the time that did this type of surgery...obese patients were a high risk that they did not want to contend with. My surgeon has an office about 30 miles from my home so my aftercare was not really affected.

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 can pretty much eat anything that I want as long as it does not have sugar or much of it or try to eat a large amount. Now that I am a year and a half post op I can eat more than I could right after surgery, but still get full very quickly. Your tolerance varies from patient to patient and you have to try a lot of things to see what you can personally tolerate...it is trial and error. Some things you could eat before surgery you won't be able to afterwards. As you go along you will be able to eat a little more, but you will not be able to eat large amounts again and don't try to or trust me you will regret that choice. Try to stay away from fried foods and a lot of starches...these are not as easily digestable after surgery or at least not for me.

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

At first I could only walk about 1/2 block but with each passing week I was able to increase my distance and time. I loved being able to walk without being out of breath and drenched in sweat. In February of 2001 I went to the races in Daytona and was out of breath and drenhced in sweat just from walking from my car to my seat which was not all that far, but in July 2001 when I returned to the races I had a much different experience...not out of breath and not drenched in sweat and this was just 3 months post op. I could not believe it and couldn't wait to share this with my mom who cried with me. I was also able to go to the gym and do an hour to two hours of cardio and free weights after about 8 weeks when prior to surgery I couldn't do 20 minutes without feeling as though I was going to die. It was a great feeling and I looked forward to doing this 5 times per week along with water aerobics that I started just four weeks post op for an hour three times per week. Exercise is keen in your success.

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

I take a multi-vitamin twice per day and will for the rest of my life per my surgeons instructions. I buy the Wal-Mart brand of the One A Day multi-vitamin.

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 hair loss and thinning of my hair was the worse for me. I had always had long and thick hair and now it was thinning and coming out (not a lot of hair loss, but enough for me to notice). This lasted for about a year, but now my hair is growing back thick and the hair loss has completely stopped. I just accepted it as part of my life and was going to accept whatever happened. Again my mom was right there for encouragement and support which made a big difference.

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

I can't say that there was a bad part to this surgery. It was a decision that I made on my own. I had no complications. I had no side effects (or no major ones). So, I would have to say that for me there was no bad part...it was a very positive experience for me.

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

I try to attend the support group meetings my surgeon holds in my area, but with my schedule I have not been able to attend very many. I highly stress that you attend support group meetings. They are a continuous sorce of strength and you can help others who are thinking of having the surgery because they want to hear from those of us who have had the surgery. By attending these meetings you also learn a lot about nutrition and post op plastic surgery from others who have gone through this. You always learn things that will help you.

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

My scar is about 6" long and 1/2" wide. You can see it, but it is faint. I didn't really have any expectations when it came to my scar other than I knew it was going to be long and hopefully would fade in time.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I was going to the gym for about 90 mins 4-5 times per week from six weeks after surgery up to 6 months after surgery and was doing great. Then six months after my surgery my grandmother got very ill and I spent 6 days a week with her at the hospital and did not get to the gym. I lost her in January of this year and tried to get back into my routine, but it was gone for me since I missed all that time. It was very difficult to do and it costs me money that I could not really afford. I regret not getting back into it because now my weight loss is slow, but I can never get that time back with my grandma and I needed to be where I was at that time and I can't regret that decision.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Very much so. It is especially true with my ex-boss who discrimated against me when I weighed 440#. Now when she sees me she is so friendly it isn't even funny. I also notice guys "checking" me out when they would not have before. I am more accepted now even though I still weigh 270#. Society can be cruel and when you have no self esteem it makes it even more difficult.