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

Phone call, years ago, a telemarketer offering to have it done free when it was first coming out. My first impression was NO WAY-you'd have to be crazy, risking death?? Now I feel as though I'm risking an early death without it.

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

They have submitted for approval yet, waiting for Behavioral Med written evaluation first today is 2/7/03. Hopefully within a couple of weeks I will know more.

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

He seemed very nice friendly and informative

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Not being able to clean myself easily and not feeling well. Knowing that my weight will cause an early death for certain.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

open gastric bypass with gall bladder removal at the same time.

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?

My biggest fear is never waking up from the surgery.

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

Much better than I expected, of course the first question was how long will you be out? Ha, Ha. Not long, I have a pretty non-physical job so barring any unforseen circumstances....

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

My surgery was Wednesday early in the morning. I was released on Saturday morning. The staples were removed the following Tuesday. My friend told me to bring a fan-that was a life saver-I wouldn't have been able to sleep well without it-very stuffy in the hospital.

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

My only complication was with staple removal-a section of my stomach opened up in the middle and I had to pack the wound to allow it to heal from the inside and work its way out.

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 am now on week three and able to eat anything (except sugar which I'm afraid to try) but only in tiny tiny quantities-I was almost afraid I'd made the wrong choice but as time goes on I am feeling better and better about my decision.

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

20 miles. Did not affect after care too much.

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.

After week 1 I started eating some cottage cheese. I didn't like either beef or chicken broth nor do I like jello. Once I was given permission to try the cottage cheese I started to try other things. I am now on week 3 and can eat anything except sugar (i think) but I have to chew it very well and eat tiny bites very slowly. One bite too many and I'm uncomfortably full for 1-2 hours.

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

I couldn't do much because of my open wound. I was driving around the day before my staples were removed which would have been day 5 so I guess I felt pretty good. I did notice that I'd start to sweat easy and took it easy when I felt like that.

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

Flintstone chewables and I just bought some Centrum ones that are pretty good.

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?

From the anesthesia I had an increased sense of smell that still hasn't returned to normal. I had some chest pains and breathing difficulties but that only lasted a little over a week. I am still not sleeping more than 6 hours in a row and I have a hard time falling back to sleep. I like to get at least 8 hours. Two months post-op and I am sleeping fine and my sense of smell is normal. I am very happy. I can even sleep on my stomach!

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

Lots of things: Not being able to drink anything the first day. Not being able to eat the day before (anything all day)both of those were the worse. The tube down my nose was a drag too. The open wound was not fun.

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

None yet (19 months post-op)

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

It's approximately 7 inches long from my chest toward my belly button. I had open surgery with gallbladder removal. I now have a smaller scar thanks to my plastic surgery, abdominoplasty, breast lift with augmentation and still have my belly button!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have hit plateau's a couple of times. I basically have gone for periods of about 3-5 days in a row where I will gain 1-2 lbs and then I will lose 4-5 pounds in a 2 day period to make up for it. It is very frustrating especially since I weigh myself daily but I can't seem to stop doing that. I have hit my goal and have maintained an 8lbs radius for about 6 months now.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Of course. Strangers are nicer and will hold doors and smile at me more. I've even noticed a difference with friends and family but do not want to elaborate for fear of hurting feelings.