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

I saw a tv talk show that had a guest Carrie Wilson; she told of the email address for obesityhelp.com

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

Medicaid approved my first request because my primary care physician wrote an excellent report including all the diet programs I had tried. The report also listed all my medical problems relating to morbid obesity.

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

I had a list of questions from the email and the book and I was ready. I had done my homework. As a result, the first appointment was relaxed and informative.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I saw no future for myself the way I was; I needed to do something.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I picked my surgeon and put my trust in his recomendation.

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 put all my affairs in order. I used the waiting time to make sure my closets and draws were cleaned. This gave me something to do to keep my mind off the surgery and left nothing for my family to do if I died from the surgery. I would say, pick something to occupy your time, say a prayer and have the surgery.

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 was very wary about such a drastic surgery. I bought the book and used the advise in it to discuss the surgery. When that failed to convince some members of my family, I loaned them the book. That seemed to answer their fears. After my surgery they were opptimistic but reserved. Then they were really surprised at my progress.

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

I did not work; now I've begun to apply for jobs.

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

I stayed 3 days. Bring your own meds; talk to your doctor; take responsibility for your own meds. The hospital was not very helpful in that area.

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

No.

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 had a difficult time. I got sick alot. I couldn't (and still can't) eat sugar. It was hard not to drink when I ate. It was hard to drink enough water. While I almost ate enough protein, my hair did begin to fall out. I cut it VERY short and waited for it to grow back. I was unable to mix my foods for about 9 months; I could not eat one bite of this and one bite of that. I had to eat only one type of food at a time. According to my doctor's support staff, I am the only one of hundreds that this occured.

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

I decided I couldn't be bothered to cook for myself, and the meals I had made before surgery just didn't appeal to me anymore. So I ate baby food for the first month. There are so many varieties, I didn't find it difficult.

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

I traveled 70 miles on back country roads. It made follow up more difficult, but I did it anyway.

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 not been able to eat sugar, even two years later. I don't desire sugar any more. I couldn't and still have a low tolerance for red meat. Now I much prefer to eat vegetarian. I liked eating mash potatoes. I always put extra powdered milk in anything I could; it gave me a double dose of protein. About 18 months after surgery I began to be able to drink one sip of liquid with my meal. I got used to drinking so much water, that it remains my drink of choice. After two years, I still am unable to use a straw. I now can eat 4 Mc Donald'd chicken mac nuggets. Mostly I don't prefer to eat like that anymore.

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

I was still in a wheelchair for about six months. Then I began a pool therapy that was very limited, but I stuck with it. Eventually I moved on land and began exercising 3 days a week in a gym. I was by far the biggest person there. I swiftly learned when the nonpeak times when the gym was used. I now exercise whenever I want, but always at least 3 times per week. I usually still add a pool workout in addition to the gym.

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

I began following my doctors advise and took the supplements he suggested. Now, two years later, I just take an all pupose vitamin with extra calcium.

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?

I was vomiting for the first 18 months. Mostly when I ate too much or too fast. I will still get sick if I eat sugar. I just got used to what foods my stomach would and wouldn't take.

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

Loosing my hair, which could have been avoided, if I didn't get sick so often. I was stubborn and kept reintroducing foods that made me sick, thus not getting enough protein.

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

There are a phycologist and a nutritionist who support the surgeon. It is mandatory that a patient see both of these people on a regular basis. The nutritionist makes appointments every month for 6 months following surgery; then for three months; then for six months and one year and two year appointments. They also ask for a five year follow up appointment. However, the most helpful is the monthly support group meetings. I travel 70 miles one way to attend. There are people who travel more. The attendence is always more than 100 people.

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

There are five horizontal, inch long scars. Yes, this is what I expected, because the doctor told me what to expect.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

The one and only plateau I have had, has just occured. I haven't lost anything in 6 weeks, but I haven't gained either. The estimate that the support team made for me was that I would loose between 160 and 180 pounds. I have lost 188. However I am going to try to loose another 40 pounds, which would still put me 20 pounds over the national health chart for my age and weight. I am being realistic and I know I will never be 110 pounds and a size 5. It would be nice, and is my goal to be 148 and size 14-16.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, people don't whisper behind my back or to my face. No one stares at me when I eat out. (Except maybe the waiter when I eat a very small amount and ask for a doggie bag.) My family is proud of me. The hard part is me. I have to learn how to treat myself and others.