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

I don't think I'd fully realized that my weight gain was a solvable issue until I'd seen the Carnie Wilson story. Reading through her story and learning how she had come to the decision on wls made me realize that not only were there other people out there experiencing the same problems that I was, but that there might actually be a solution that was within reach.

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

I was very lucky in that I had no problems getting insurance approval. My surgery was approved immediately.

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

The first meeting with my surgeon was perfect. He was very warm, personable and very compassionate. I attended the consultation with about 1 years worth of research under my belt. I suggest that anyone intending to pursue wls make sure they do their homework and learn as much about the procedure and their surgeon as they possibly can before the consultation.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The final decision to have surgery came when I went in for a physical exam and my blood pressure was once again elevated (I was already on prescription), I had developed skin rashes, incontinence, and found out I was borderline diabetic.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Research. I decided against the more popular rny because I did not think I could handled the dumping and possible stoma blockages. DS surgery seemed like it had excellent long term results which made it more attractive even with the bathroom and vitamin issues.

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 was more afraid of dying from heart disease than I was from dying in surgery. You have to be completely comfortable and trust in your surgeon. If you've made the decision to have surgery the best thing you can have is a positive attitude and look forward to living your new life.

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 mother was very supportive and believed that I was making a good decision. My husband was not convinced that the surgery was necessary, but was supportive anyway. Everyone around me was unbelievable supportive after the surgery, I never hid the fact that I had surgery.

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

Again, they were very supportive at work. I was very lucky. I was out of work for about 6 weeks.

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

The hospital stay went well. The Delano Regional Med. Ctr was well equipped and very well trained in dealing with bariatric patients.

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 was tired the weeks after surgery. The most strenous thing I could do was some walking for the first two weeks after surgery. I was able to shower on my own after the first week, and was able to drive about 2 weeks out. Any outings were very short, I could barely be out for an hour without feeling exhausted.

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

Expect to be tired. Your body is being starved those first few months, you're used to having much more food and your body is reacting to how little it's getting. If you can, get someone to be with you during the first week or two. These are the most difficult in terms of trying to help yourself. It probably also helps to have someone around to talk to just so you don't start to get depressed. I've read so many posts from other patients who begin to question why the did the surgery the first few weeks after surgery, don't fall into this. Stay positive, remember all the reason you went through with your decision.

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

I travelled about 250 miles to have my surgery. I stayed in a hotel near the hospital after I was released so that I could see my dr. for the 1 week followup appt. My mother stayed with me to help me, but this may be difficult if you're alone. You need to be prepared with the food that you'll eat while staying in the hotel, as well as be disciplined about getting up to walk while you're by yourself.

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.

Of course the first few weeks you can eat only a limited number of things. I think I lived on cream soups, tuna and yogurt the first few weeks. Slowly I was able to add more variety, but I could eat very little the first 3 months. I would eat every two hours, which gets tiring! It was about 1 year before I could eat a regular sized sandwich, and now, at almost 3 years out I eat a normal amount of food. What's normal? Well, I can go to McDonalds and order a burger, small fries and small drink and be very happy and extremely full. Usually my eyes are bigger than my stomach and I order other things, but I usually have a bite or two, sate my craving and I'm done. I don't think I've gotten over my obsession with food, but I can tell when I'm full now, and can walk away when I'm done.

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

I've never been very active, so just getting in some walking everyday was tough. In the past year I've started going to the gym regularly (2-3x week) which is amazing to me. Going to the gym has actually become fun, simply because I know that there are things I can do and I don't feel completely out of place.

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

3 slo-fe iron tabs, 2 multi-vitamins, 1500 mg calcium daily.

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 did have hairloss around the 4th month and it was difficult to get back on track until my body stabilized and the vitamins started to kick in. My hair has never regained the thickness it once had, I attribute that to low iron and calcium loss, but it's getting better each month and it's a small price to pay. With DS surgery, there are issues with gas and smellier than usual bm's, however this can be managed by eating the right foods.

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

Just the exhaustion, but it wasn't that bad. The pain level wasn't intolerable, and seeing immediate results definitely made all difficulty inconsequential.

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

I had an open surgery, the scarr is about 3 inches long from under my breast bone to my belly button. It's been about 3 years and it's faded quite nicely.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I experienced constant weight loss over almost a two year period. My weight stabilized right around the 2nd year, and I've in fact gained back around 8 lbs, but I think I look fuller, healthier.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Of course. People who don't know you well will treat you differently, the weight loss is part of it, but your attitude may also be part of it. I know that I'm much more positive and confident, and that affects how people see and react to me.