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

I first saw a newspaper ad regarding the surgery about three years ago. Curiousity got the better of me and I called to get some information. My first impression was - wow, the end of the roller coaster of dieting.

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

I had no problem with approval - the doctor's office handled it.

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

I was a little apprehensive my first visit - new doctor, the thoughts of surgery, etc. - although he answered all my questions. I'm sure there were more questions to be asked, I should have written them down before my appointment.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I finally thought, what the heck, this is for me, nobody else. I need to feel good and be happy.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I'm not sure that was an option.

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 fear of dying - when it's your time, it's your time. You know the saying, "there's nothing to fear but fear itself".

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 very immediate family (husband, mother, children) was extremely supportive of my decision and still are.

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

I only told my immediate supervisor (who was very supportive). Everyone else was told that I was going on vacation for two weeks. I was only away from work for two weeks (secretarial, sitting on my derrier).

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

Hospital stay was a fairly pleasant three and a half days. The only thing I really cared about was the picture of my family to keep by my bed - the hospital provided everything else.

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

No complications - I'm one of the fortunate few.

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

Excitement, apprehension - all emotions. The best thing to do is basically forget about the upcoming date - why wind yourself up? But then again, I'm pretty laid back, so it wasn't difficult for me to cope.

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

The first few weeks - rest, rest, rest. The hell with housework - it'll be there when you get to feeling better. Some discomfort the first few days home, but when I got tired, I sat or laid down. Wear the binder - it really helps.

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

The hospital is fifty minutes from home. I drove myself back in for the two week checkup and had no problems. I realized the doctor's office and hospital was quite a distance from work and home when the first appointment was made. No big deal. I think I would have driven for a week to have the surgery, knowing what my end results have been.

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.

To be perfectly honest, I followed the doctor's orders to a "tee" and was so very careful that what I ate was proper. My stomach (my mind) ached for a salad, though, for weeks after surgery - when I finally had one it was heaven! The only thing not tolerable is milk, but I guess that's pretty common, although yogurt, cheese and cottage cheese sit just fine with me. I eat all meats, chicken, veggies, fruits, etc.

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

I thought I felt really good. A week after surgery, I was making jam and puttering in the garden. Two weeks to the day after surgery, I was back at work (secretarial - no heavy lifting), and still following doctor's orders as far as diet and not overdoing it.

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

Morning - one daily multi-vitamin and vitamin E. Before bed - one daily multi-vitamin, two iron tabs and a B-12. Almost every day after lunch (at work), I have about a third to a half of the pure protein bars from Met-rx.

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?

Only had one bout of severe dumping which occured after eating, of all things, baby food for lunch (at work) - thought I was having a heart attack. After confering with the surgeon's office, went to the local hospital for a chest x-ray - everything was fine. No more baby food!! Hair loss for me is no big deal as I have extremely fine, thin hair. I became self-conscious about it ten years ago (age 40) and decided to wear wigs - they are great. The hair loss only lasted a few months, though.

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

Probably the day of and the day after surgery. The pain was not severe, just uncomfortable - I do have an extremely high tolerance for pain. Other than that, can't think of anything else.

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

The Cleveland Center for Bariatric Surgery has a great support group, meeting once a month. For post-ops, it is an important part of aftercare - gnawing questions are answered without hesitation - and you find that there are other people who feel the same way you do.

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

My "battle scar" is to be proud of, and is a constant reminder of the decision I made to better myself after fifty years of being the "oh, you have such a pretty face, if only you'd lose some weight" fat kid.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Ah, yes, plateaus. If you haven't experienced one, you've never been on a diet of any kind. They come and go and you have to correct them.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

OH, YES!!!!! It's been a real learning experience. But, the thing that pisses me off the most is the guys I have known for years coming on to me now. Cripe sakes, I'm the same person, there's just less of me - what the hell is in the male mind? Not much, I guess. I think their brain is connected to their lower anatomy, anyway. As for the women that notice the big difference, it's, "how did you do it?" to which I proudly proclaim, "I had weight loss surgery". Some of them just say, "oh", and some give me the "high five". It's been a real fun thing, most of the time. My husband complains that now I'm too boney - I never even knew there were bones under all that mass. It's thrilling!!!