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

A friend of a friend had started to research bariatric surgery and it was as if a light turned on for me. For the first time, I felt like there was a chance that I could turn this weight things around and have a happier, healthier life.

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

Luckily, I was living in Minnesota and was on medical assistance through the state. There was no question that I would be cov ered and approved since my health was such a factor and my BMI was at 54.5

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

My first meeting with Dr. Shapiro was exciting - but I had al;ready done my homework and done a lot of learning through the internet. I feel that is very important for a new candidate, find out everything you can even if it isn't quite accurate...then run the questions past your doctor to straighten out the information you have on hand.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

There was never any question...just when and where. I had always been hoping for some sort of miracle to come along...and surgery was IT.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon only offered one option so that was easy, too.

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 had no fears. I figured I could die on the table or off. I was heavy enough that it was just a matter of time. I felt very optimistic.

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?

Everyone was very supportive. Other relatives, I found out, had already been through the process and had been successful.

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

not applicable

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

I was in the hospital for five days. My favorite item that I brought with me was a calling card so the nurse could call my home for me (90 miles away) and a personal fan. I really needed the fan after surgery.

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

No complications but a sensitivity to the anesthesia. My surgery was early on Monday morning and I was knocked out cold until about 6 pm on Tuesday.

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

just flying high on excitement - no coping needed

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

I was pretty sore for the first week or two and lived close to my pill bottle for pain relief. The strangest reaction was the nightmares resulting from the anesthesia. BAD dreams.

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

90 miles each direction - there were three of us in the process and we took turns driving the whole lot of us to appointments. We had a ball.

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 no longer remember much of this but I can tell you about how I am now, 2 years out. I still cannot eat chicken unless it is in a sauce. It just hangs up and causes discomfort. I tend to have a post nasal drip and that occasionally makes the first several bites of a meal difficult to process. I have to spit it up and start again without the mucous.

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

It just got better and better. I now can walk and walk for several miles.

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

I take: B100, Iron, Calcium, Vitamin C, 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 first six months was really rough as I learned how to manage my new stomach. I still have some side effects but have learned to cope with them. I know what a reaction feels like and can excuse myself and go to the restroom to alleviate the problem and then rejoin the party.

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

Learning that I can no longer have a big portion of things I love. I still miss being able to pig out now and then. I am up to almost 2 cups of food at a meal now, though, and am learning to be content.

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

I used an online support group during those early months as well as a small group of friends locally who had gone through the surgery. It is important to have support of some kind

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

It is now just a light line from under my breats to my waist, about 1/4 inch across at the widest point ( I tend to keloid). It is exactly as I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I plateaued regularly about every 30 pounds or so. It would get frustrating but then I would pay closer attention to my water intake and would move right through it

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Its been long enough now that I don't get reactions like I used to. People who knew me before are always surprised when I say I've lost about 120 pounds