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

I had read about it in several magazines. It interested me but at the same time scared me to death. I really started looking into the surgery after the story on Carny Wilson came out in People magazine. I researched the RNY first and was thinking of doing it then a friend of mine told me about the DS and I researched it and decided that it was more tailored to my lifestyle and there wasn't the dumping syndrome. I would also have a fully functioning stomach. This is what really sold me on the DS surgery.

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

I didn't have any problems with the insurance company approving my surgery. I was approved in 24 hours.

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

Great. He was a very supportive and answered all my questions. They should go prepared with questions. write them down, because you will forget them. Don't be ashamed of your weight gain. If you don't feel comfortable with your surgeon, than you need to look for one that you are comfortable with. Research, research, research, especially soul searching. Make sure that its the right thing for you to do. This is not a quick fix options, it is life changing. You have to change the way you think about food. As you lose weight teach your family about the good and bad foods out there. Include your family in your decision and make them a part of the daily struggle and truimphs.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My PCP only gave me 10 years to live. I have three children, two of which are grown and on their own, but I have a 4 year old son that I want to see grow up and go to college and I want to dance at his wedding and see his children. I also have two small grandkids that I want to see grow up. I wanted to live a healthy, energetic full life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

While I was researching I had pretty much made up my mind for the RNY, the only thing was that I was scared about the fact that after they make the pouch, they leave the rest of the stomach in and then you have the whole dumping syndrome. Then someone told me that I wouldn't be able to eat ice cream anymore. I love ice cream. When they told me that I started researching the other choices out there. With the DS, you have no dumping, and they take the leftover stomach out. I was worried about it rotting. The thing that sold me was that I can eat ice cream. The DS fits my lifestyle.

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 really didn't have any fears about dying on the operating table. I was concerned that I was doing the right thing and then my son told me that he loved me and wanted me to be around forever and ever. That made my mind up.

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 very supportive and the rest of my family was indifferent to the whole thing. My oldest son didn't think I would go through with it. My mom threatened to disown me if I had the surgery. That didn't bother me too much, since she disowned me when I married my husband. How many times can a person be disowned anyways? My husband has been my rock, he has been there for me every step of the way. He has been a great asset. My daughter was scared for me to have the surgery but now she thinks that it was a good idea, she also can now borrow my clothes, now that I'm in a size 14. My mom, just the other day told me that I looked good and she never thought that I would be thin again.

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

They were very supportive of my decision. I really didn't have a problem because there were several ladies in my office that have had the wls prior to me, so they kinda of paved the road for me so to speak. 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?

I was in the hospital for five days, the nurses in the bariatic wing on the day shift were awesome. The first day out of surgery I had a private nurse to care for me. She was so great, she didn't even mind me throwing up all over her. (We found out that I was allergic to Morphine.) You should come prepared, I took a long handled bath sponge for those hard to reach areas, baby wipes, my favorite shampoo and soaps. Most important, my support person. Bring a couple of changes of nightgowns, I used the hospital gowns at first, but being in my own nightgown made me feel much better. If you have long hair, bring hair ties. Don't forget your robe and slippers.

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

I really didn't have any problems with the surgery, I woke up during the surgery though. The anesthesia had worn off. I had a lot of vomiting after surgery that was caused by the ng tube and an allergic reaction to the morphine. After they removed the tube and took me off the morphine, I was fine for awhile, then they discovered that i was also allergic to demerol. i broke out in a nice little rash. On the trip home, (I had to ride in a car for 6 hours), I developed dehydration. I went to the hospital in my hometown and had fluids. After that everything has been smooth sailing.

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

Right after the dr gave me the date for surgery, i was anxious and excited. I didn't start getting scared until a couple days a head of time. When I started to get scared I would pull out a picture of my baby and remember that he wanted me around forever and ever.

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

I was dehydrated because I didn't drink enough water. drink lots and lots of water. Eat small amounts of food. Don't think that just because your'e feeling a little bit better that you should clean house. Relax and recupperate

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

I traveled from Red Bluff, CA to Delano, CA which is about 6 hours south of my home. I go down to Delano about every 4-6 months. the rest of the time I see my PCP here in my town.

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.

At first I couldn't eat Beef and pork or broccoli. Now at 9 months post op I can eat anything I want to. I still don't eat broccoli though, but not because I can't, I just don't like it. I eat what I want when I want, just a lot smaller portions.

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

Not much. I would get really tired just walking to the mail box. I had to force myself to walk. As the weeks and days passed my energy level went up, when I was able to actually eat, this helped with the energy level.

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

I take a multi vitamin for women called one source, two calcium tablets of 650 mg each, 1 iron tablet, estrovent, ginka biloba, and omega 3 fish oil ot help with my nails and hair, I also take folicure from Sally's beauty supply.

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 nausea and vomiting were the worse for me. i can't stand to be sick to my stomach and after surgery it hurt when I had those two ailments, I haven't had any of the others that are mentioned. Now I have none of them.

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

Waking up during the surgery. that was extremely painful.

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

I see my PCP at least every other month and I go to a monthly support group, plus I log in to the websites and join in on the chats and postings. I also have made several friends that have had the surgery and we talk. Support is very important, when you can talk to someone that has had the surgery, then you can compare notes and you don't feel alone. They know exactly what you're feeling and going through

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

I have a keloid scar and it is very ugly. I expected it thought because they run in my family, it will get smaller and eventually go away. No big deal.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

With the first plateau, I thought that i had messed up my surgery because I wasn't losing anymore. But, I learned to take them in stride.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, guys now look at me with interest and women don't look down their noses at me. It feels great.