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

A co-worker who I had also been involved with when I worked a weight loss center and he was a client told me about the surgery and encouraged me to go with him as a partner. At first, I was shocked he would consider such a drastic action. I knew about past gastric-by-pass surgical patients and the numerous problems they had had.

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

I had minimal difficulty. I had to make several phone calls and be persistent. Find a contact at the physician's office(mine was assigned). Develop a good relationship with that person. Make frequent contacts to see how your paper work is progressing. do the same with the insurance company.. A particular person you can contact...Be persistent...

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

Great. Have all your questions written out with spaces left to record his/her answers. Take along a support person, one who is possibly not as sure that this is the best option and will feel free to ask questions and even act as a 'devil's advocate'

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I decided to have the surgery 4 months after my co-worker had the surgery. When I saw how he and another coworker that had the surgery at the same time had lost weight and felt so much better, I was IMPRESSED. Both looked extremly happy as well as healthy. Their testimony and the extensive research I did convinced me that this was my only hope to live a "normal" life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Research

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 felt if I didn't have the surgery I would be dead in a short period of time from complications caused by the obesity. I had a grandfather and aunt die of pulmonary emboli within 1 week of surgery. My father and brother have been on coumadin for 20+years for blood clots. I had lots to fear by going through with the surgery. I had been dx as being diabetic and had developed neuropathy. But, the fear I had of dying this way far outweighed the fear of having this surgery in a controlled environment with trained, knowledgable professionals. Be sure to do your own research to satisfy your own concerns. Talk to people who have had the procedure, physicians, check out the internet and your local medical library.

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?

Although, very concerned about the prospects of the surgery, all my family, friends, coworkers, and my family physician were extremly supportive. The only thing I didn't tell them was my great fear of dying if I DIDN'T have this procedure. I still don't think I could have told them about that feeling. All have been extremly supportive since the surgery.

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

My supervisors were very supportive. I explained I had researched and made the decision to have the procedure for present and future health concerns. I was out of work for 6 weeks.

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

My hospital stay good. The staff were knowledgable, friendly and supportive. I was there 5 days. I didn't bring anything except my clothing to wear home, hair dryer, make-up. The hospital provide the most wonderful set of long tongs to assist after surgery to perform certain adl's.

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

The only problem I had after surgery, which is not a complication, was excessive gas. On my last hospital day a nurse offered me a GAS-X and asked if I had taken one earlier... she made my recovery...I experienced no further discomfort..

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 felt better every day after the surgery and continue to do so. I didn't have any anxiety. I feel this was due to the fact I had researched the procedure and knew what to expect and that my support system was the best.

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

First few weeks were pretty uneventful. I was worried about the diet program ie. clear liquids... but everything went well..I continued to feel better each day and energy increased each day.

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

I traveled 7 hours away from home. My family physician saw me on my 2 week evaluation.. My surgeon suggested this. It did not affect my aftercare.

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 was told dumping syndrome is a blessing ... well, it is as far as training one not to eat those foods that are not good on a weight control diet. I cannot tolerate more than a few bites of sweets and cannot eat the only sweet i truly love--ice cream... even sugar free and reduced fat causes nausea. Extremly greasy foods cause nausea. I learned not to eat more than a bite of bread. I loved sandwiches before..now they do not interest me. My biggest difficulty is still remembering not to order a whole meal at a resturant... I can't eat a whole meal with bread, salad and an entre... My appetite for rich, fat, heavy carbohydrates decreases daily.. Grilled salmon and tuna are more appetizing to me..It shocks me...I tolerate steak better than chicken or turkey??? I DO CHEW...I fear a plug of unchewed food clogging my Little M&M hole.

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

level of activity increased daily as well as energy.

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

MVT, magnesium, selenium, Vit C. and B 150.

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?

If I eat too fast or too much I experience nausea and then EXCESSIVE salivation.. No vomiting. Too much sweets or fatty food and i get the dumping syndrome and diarrhea.The worst is the salivating.. but I know how to control it. Exactly 3 months after surgery I noticed wads of hair everywhere, but especially in the shower. I took selenium and magnesium and monitored my protein intake closer. Its been 5 and 1/2 months now and my hair is coming back in. My beautician says it looks like it is curling around the longer hair shafts...Yeah, Curly hair...for years I've paid $50 plus every 6weeks for a permanent. 8/22/01- 2years later I have my full hair growth, but it isn't curly still as straight as ever, but my daughter and beautician have convinced me it looks better without a erm...I haven't had one in two years.

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

The worst part of the entire process was the waiting for approval.

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

Family and friends. Very helpful and extremly important. There is not a support group that I am aware of within a 100 mile radius. 8/22/01- After talking with several others who have had the wls, I think a support group would be extremly helpful, I have heard some complain of bad problems after surgery with nausea and vomiting and stomach discomfort. After talking with them and their families I have learned that they are eating sweets and fats and are asking doctors for phenergan, etc. for nausea. I don't think the discomforts are from the surgery--the discomforts is from not complying with the food progrma after surgery...I was told dumping syndrome would be a bless, and I truly think it is. It sure keeps me from eating too much of the foods I would overeat if I could. Just a note...Hot tea not only settles the stomach after too much sweet or fat, there is just something soothing about holding that warm cup...so relaxing.

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

Scar not bad. Pretty much what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have reached plateaus. I have not had problems with them because i am aware it takes time for my body to adjust. I do not weigh often. Continuing good eating habits and exercise help the plateaus to pass quicker. 8/22/01 i still reach plateaus, but have continued to lose. I have lost 13lbs since May. I recently had my lab work repeated and am disgustingly healthy.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. I don't think strangers stare at me like before. Friends tell me I'm prissy now.. I think if anyone treats me different it is because I feel so well physically and mentally and am more like I was before the extreme weight(gained over a 30 year period). I smile more because I am happier inside. So if I looked as sad as I must have felt(truthfully I didn'tdidn't think I was that sad, but now I think I must have been) others had to be leary of me. 8/22/01-I notice lately, not flirty, but men who I have worked with for 25+ years who avoided having eye contact with me before, readily smile and exchange pleasantries with me. I think fat people make other people uncomfortable. Why?? I think they can't understand why we let ourselves get into such shape????