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

Recommended by physician, then went on line and researched surgery at length. Initially I rejected the idea as too drastic and continued to try traditional weight loss. After about a year I gained even more and I was very afraid for my life. At that point I decided to look again at the surgical prospect.

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

My insurance company responded promptly with an approval. I have a 5 year history with this company and have been on some very expensive medications. I believe this weighed heavily on their minds when considering approval. I am also a very compliant patient and have a complete medical history with one doctor for more than 8 years that documents my weight loss attempts.

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

My first surgeon's visit was very informative. I did a great deal of research and had a list of intelligent questions. I asked him directly about and deaths experienced with this surgery and he answered without difficulty. I checked his credentials and malpractice history with the state prior to my visit. I discussed my fears about the surgery and he gave me answers and reassureances. Be prepared for the visit with your surgeon, have questions, and visit more than one, even if you like the first surgeon you meet. If the surgeon is too busy to answer your question before the surgery he/she will be too busy after the surgery. Be sure they have an established after care program and the option of a support group.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My medical conditions were at the point where I had not further choices. I could not continue on the number of medications I was on and I felt terrible most days. I want to feel my age and be healthy. I knew the road I was heading down would send me to an early grave and I did not want that. I had the surgery to save my life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon felt open was my best option due to past abdominal surgeries and a history of adhesions.

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?

Complications did not frighten me, death terrified me. I researched the statistics on deaths due to the surgery and the deaths were usually related co-morbid factors not the surgery itself. All surgery is frightening but living the way I was, was worst. I

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 have walked through the health problems with me and knew how many steps I'd tried to resolve my health issues. When I decided to have the surgery they knew it was my last option and why I was making the decision. They were concerned for my well being but knew my choices were limited and wanted me to be healthy. My family and friends remain very supportive after the surgery. My children are so very supportive every day. They are my cheerleaders. They constantly tell me how good I look, and how I'am "shrinking". When I wear a new size or put on something that looks good they are the first to say "You Go Girl". Their support is such a help.

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

The people I work with in my office knew what type of surgery I was having and why. Others in our home office and other sites did not know the detais. When they saw me after the surgery it was almost 3 months later and the surprise on their faces was evident. They could not believe it was me. I do look much younger since the surgery and it was evident they thought so as well. I was out of work 6 weeks. I did not tell the other offices because I did not believe it was necessary. I told those I worked with closely out of respect for them and their concern for me.

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

My stay in the hospital was very pleasant. The staff was very attentive and professional. I was shown respect as a patient with obesity but also as a person in a same sex relationship. My spouse was respected and we did not feel any adverse reactions. I was hospitalized for 4 days. Lip balm and oral hygiene products were so very wonderful! I enjoyed being able to put on my on gown and robe, it made me feel like myself again. Leave the make-up home, you won't feel like putting it on. Bring good moisturizing lotion that smells good and your favorite body spray. Smelling good really made me feel good and rest well.

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

I have hypertension and my blood pressure was difficult to control due to having to stop my oral medications. My blood pressure caused an extra stay for one day due to BP control. I also developed a large dark bruise on my abdomen from one of the heparin injections. I developed phlebitis in my left arm and hand, treated my heat applications and antibiotics (2 courses). The phlebitis was very painful initially but improved after the heat and the antibiotics. The antibiotics then cause me to have a rash and yeast infection that caused the skin on my thighs and my peri-area to peel. That was awful!!

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 so anxious!!! It was hard to wait for the surgery date. I considered not having the surgery due to nerves about a week before the date. The many e-mail messages of comfort and encouragement I recieved via this site helped so very much. No one can understand or comfort you like someone who has walked this path. The advice I recieved settled my nerves and helped me to cope. The more I knew the better I felt.

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

The first days home were rough due the pain and the discomfort. I read on the site how much pillows help and sitting in a recliner. I made sure I had both these and it was wonderful!!! Expect to be tired and have pain. Take the pain medication, again take the pain medication, especially at night, do not be brave. A good night sleep helps so much and helps you recover sooner. I am now 2 weeks post op and will have my first follow up on 9/9/02. I am feeling much better but my stamina is still low.

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

The hospital is about 10 minutes from my home so travel was not a problem.

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 have been eating full liquids (nothing that needs to be chewed). I constantly sip water or sugar free Kool-Aid, I love grape. I brought a mini food processor before going to the hospital and it is so helpful to puree foods. I can not eat corn in any form (I loved it before the surgery) and salsa upsets my stomach and gives me diarrhea. I have difficulty with steak unless it is bake and very tender. It is very difficult to chew it enough to swallow it.

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

The first days after the surgery I was very tired and still very much felt the effect of the pain medications and anethesia. I slept and rested quite a bit. I did not push myself. I am now 2 weeks post-op with my staples still in and I am able to be up all day and do a few non-strenous chores. I walk around the house and outside short distances. I gradually increased my walking block my block until I increased my stamina. I am currently walking about 3-5 miles and working out 4-6 times a week.

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

I am only taking Flintstone chewable vitamins with iron, recommended by my surgeon. Flintstone's are terrible, I tried Centrum chewables and they are bad as well. I will continue with the chewables until they are finished and then I am going to a pill I can swallow.

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?

So far I have not had any side effects, except sleeping schedule is off. I started to loose my hair at the beginning of month 3 by the hand fulls. It was distressing but my hair was very thick and healthy so no one could tell. My doctor advised I increase my protein and I did by eating my protein sources and also drinking a protien supplement each day the hair shedding slowed to a stop by the end of the month. I am waiting to see if it returns. I had my hair cut shorter and it looked just as thick. I developed very foul gas around the second month. I started taking Gas-X and it helped a great deal. My family was very distressed by this side effect.:)

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

Getting use to the change in your ability to eat and getting over the head hunger has been bad for me. It is a day to day process to change and you have to learn to pace yourself and respond to a different set of queues about your eating. I am able to manage much better a work than at home. It is hard not to just fall into the grazing habit at home when surrounded by snacks and the family eating at will but it has been something I have to constantly work on. I pray for help with this issue because I can not do it alone. I was aware my response to food was addictive and I seek help constantly from my higher power because I am powerless without it, it is a constant struggle.

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

My doctor does not have a support group and it is something I wish he had. I find I need the support of other who have experienced the same things. I have made contact with post-op's from this site and others at church or at work who have had the surgery. This has helped tremendously and gives you a support that is invaluable. If I had to do it again I would only pick a surgeon who had a support group. I think the surgeon who has a support group is investing in a success of his patients. I have contacted local hospitals to find a group because I think this personal contact will complete my recovery.

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

I think is is ugly, it is much thicker than I expected and it is from the top of my abdomen to the top of my naval. I also have the small spots from the staples on both side of the scar. I am hoping it will smooth out as it gets older. It is much uglier than I expected and some what disappointing as I am hoping to have such a fabulous body I can expose my middle.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Plateaus,plateaus, plateaus!!! I experienced the first one at about 2 months. I did not loose a pound for 3 weeks. I was so upset I could hardly sit still. I read everything I could, call my doctor, cried, etc., etc. It was really upsetting. I followed the information I read, I increased my protein, increase my water, and kept working out slowly increasing my activity. It has happened again and I believe it will continue but the loss always restarts. I was weighing myself every day and I stopped that because it was driving me crazy. I started weighin every week and measuring. Even when I did not loose weight I lost inches, the inches really make a difference. I am now weighing about every 2 weeks with measurements. The plateaus not are less noticiable.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Some people seem to expect that I will be different because I look different. I am the same person except I feel alot better about myself and I think that confidence shows. I did not have the surgery for cosmetic reasons, I had it to save my life and I let people know that. I feel more powerful, strong, and positive as a person and people react to that in different ways so very positive, so negative. I feel that is the problem of that person. My friends who are heavy treat me differently. They feel we do not have a major part of our lives in common any more. My spouse seems to get tired of the process, there is a widening dfference in our weights and I think that fosters some fears in the person who is heavier. I see that display it self in a lack of support or a attitude of boredom with the whole surgery/weight loss process.