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

I had been thinking about this for yrs.. I had a sister who had this type of surgery many many yrs ago. Her doctor was a real quack and he really messed her up inside... I seen the things that she went through and I was scared to death about having this surgery.. I met up with some women who had had this surgery and they explained things had changed for the better now. I met with a support group and talked with various pts. I made the decision to have the surgery and it has been for the better at least for me.

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

This was a nitemare at first. I had a HMO and was scheduled for the surgery and 2 days before I was to have the surgery I was deied due to the facts, so they stated... I had no medical supervised weight lost program in my medical records for the past yr.. I really think it was the fact that I had been approved so quickly without any fight or denial. I was depressed about this happening.. I then waited for open-enrollment at my company and switced to the PPO. I had approval within a few weeks.. I did have to pay more for this coverage and I currently faced with additional costs for the compilcation that I had after the surgery with the uclers.

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

At first it was business type attuide and then he seemed to relax somewhat with the consult. I thought that he was nice and explained things to me totally. It also helped that I worked in the medical field and I knew what he was talking about. Be prepared with all of your questions and don't leave any stone unturned with all of your questions. Ask the death rate and how many pts have died from this surgery. Ask about the post-op care and what happens if you have difficulties. Ask everything you ever would want to know about this type of surgery. Do your homework and know your body. Know the different choices of types of surgery that are available to you.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The final decision came when my grand-daughter ask me if I was going to die. I told her that I would be here for her.. I had to keep this promise to her. I had battled my weight most of my life and this was something that I needed to do for myself..

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I had been invited to different types of support grp meetings and I made the decision to stay with UCLA and the program there. I think would of maybe decided to research a little more if I had known what I know now. I felt that I fell between the cracks with the care at such a large hospital. I think prehaps I would of choosen a smaller type hosptial instead.

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 knew that without the surgery I would of died from carrying all of the weight I was hauling around. I think that the fear factors about any kind of surgery is a personal thing and each person has to deal with this issue in their own way.

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 supportive with my decision. Of course my sister who had done this surgery was my best support.. My mother didn't understand much about all of it. I think that when I had all of the nausea complications she felt helpless to the fact that she wanted to help and didn't know how. I did end up on TPN therphy with a hickman cath. in my subclavin. This was a everyday issue to deal with for about 4 months. I remained nauseated until I found out what was causing this issue. It was only when the dx. was found that I was able to control the nausea.

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

I wanted to keep this isssue private.I did tell some of my close co-workers about this issue. I was supported with them. I had to extend my medical leave in order to recover from the ulclers and get the nausea under control.

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

I was in the hospital 3 days. I think the most important thing to do post-op is MOVE... I think that a journal is important thing to bring with you during the first days of post-op... Writing your thoughts are important. I had forgot most of the post-op stuff..

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

Yes, I had alot of nausea. I had alot of difficulties with this issue. I think more than usual.

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

It all happened so fast. I got my date via of a cancelation and I had to move quick and didn't have any time to think about things much. This could be a good thing or it could be a bad thing for some pts.

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

It is important to MOVE around and get your strength back as much as you can. Don't over do in this area. Get your rest...

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

UCLA 70 miles

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.

At first with the nausea, I didn't tolerate much. In the months since then I have found that too much sugars aren't easy to handle. I think learning to eat all over again is something that you have to learn. I think that this is a personal isssue. I know that I want to revert to some old behaviors,yet my body tells me NO...

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

I didn't do much activity after the surgery due to the complications that I had. I did find that my energy level was at zero when I was told to exerise to heal...

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

Calicum Vit B-6 and B-12 Vit A Vit E Mulit-Vit Ucler Medications 2 different types.

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?

NAUSEA......... A LOT......... SOME HAIR LOSS...... THINNING....

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

The recovery period... Getting the complications under control...

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

I have only one... it is from another doctors program. UCLA has one on line. The traveling issues are difficult for me. It would be nice to be able to have one closer to this area. I have a couple of friends who went to the same hospital for some support...Support is very IMPORTANT.......

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

I have had a lot of abdomial surgeries... what is one more scar to me... hahaha

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I haven't yet had one...

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

OMG .... YES!!!!!!! I have some many people telling how good I look with the weight loss... WOW this is something that is hard for me to get use too....