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

Carnie Wilson's article. I thought it was too risky.

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

They asked for a lot of extra paperwork after my surgeon sent them his initial letter, but they were very quick when they got evrything they asked for.

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

I was nervous. Maybe he wouldn't think I weighed enough, or that I had the wrong reason for wanting it, etc. Make a list of EVERY question you can think of and bring it!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My deep-seated desire to lose weight.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I didn't. He only does the lap RNY.

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?

Wasn't too afraid.

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 thought I was nuts! The usual response from my skinny friends and family...."Why can't you just diet and exercise?" At this time, I am only 3 1/2 weeks post-op and so far support has been ok. Everyone seems to be scrutinizing what I put in my mouth asking me if it's allowed in my diet. It's pretty annoying.

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

I watch children for a living. I took 2 weeks off which was just right!

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

By all means...bring EAR PLUGS!!! I cannot stress this enough! I slept like a baby while using them! They had to touch me to wake me up! I was in the hosp 4 days. The nursing staff was lacking in my opinion. I waited over an hour for pain meds. The patient in the next bed rang 3-4 times everytime she needed a bedpan. I brought puzzle and crossword books, but never really felt like doing them. Sleep, walk, sit up, sleep, walk...etc.

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

I learned a valuable lesson. I will NEVER EVER take morphine again! The first night after surgery, I literally did not sleep because the morphine made me forget to inhale. So the morphine makes me sleepy, I doze off for a few seconds, then jolt awake due to lack of oxygen. My conscious brain has to tell my body to inhale because the subconscious brain is doped up and therefore not working properly. It also made me nauseated anytime I was sitting up. I don't really know why, but in '98 after a lap-chole I had Fentnyl (sp?) with no problems even though it is stronger than morphine! I was given Fentergin(sp?) for the nausea which made me sound like a drunken sailor but didn't really quell the nausea. Considering the surgery I had just had, I was petrified of gagging and making the staples in my stomach come loose, or something.

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 miss having the big portions I'm used to of the foods I love! Other than that, no problems! I feel great, but still need help in the way of getting off my butt to exercise!

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

Expect to have a dirty house (unless your significant other will do EVERYTHING). Expect to sleep a lot. Expect a little lightheadedness the day after you come home (no more IV). Expect to get sick of broth and jello after one day. (Try tomato soup, instead!) Expect to not feel like going anywhere for a little while. Expect visitors and well-wishers, even though you'd rather nap. Expect to need assistance (in the form of some long-handled instrument) wiping your own butt. Expect your leg hair to grow a few feet until you are able to bend enough to shave.

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

A little over 6 hours. Drive 6 hours, spend all of 10 minutes in office for post-op, drive another 6 hours. It SUCKS!

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 could not tolerate broth and jello because it washed out of my stomach as fast as I put it in, therefore I felt hungry all the time! I also felt lightheaded the day after I came home since I no longer had an IV keeping my blood sugar up. I switched to tomato soup which felt a bit more substantial. I was always a little ahead of my schedule in regards to what I was supposed to re-introduce into my diet. But my stomach was able to handle everything I threw at it. My main concern is getting enough protein. I have sworn off potato chips, candy, sweets, etc.

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

1st day home...spent in the recliner, snoozing on and off. 2nd day, up several times, but still spent most of the day in chair. 3rd day, up more often. 4th day, drove myself to my dad's house for a change of scenery. Etc, etc.

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

Chewable children's vitamins, Viactive calcium chews, B12 shot coming due within the next week or so.

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?

Have only had about 1 week of diarrhea until I could eat something solid. No problems after that.

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

For me personally, having the side effects of the morphine.

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

none...get enough support at home from friends and family.

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

4 small scars, 1 medium sized scar...all still very pink and somewhat raised. Yes, I expected this.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

So far, (nearly 3 months post-op) no plateaus.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet. Other than lots of compliments from friends and family.