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

Through the news media - my first thoughts was that it was for the extremely mordidly obese people. My second thought was "those lazy people" such instant gratification and poor self control and no good worthless slobs - all which were thoughts I harbored about myself. My daughter's experience and encouragement brought me to the open door.

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

I am not going through hoops to have an HMO decide whether my fat can stay or go via surgery. I know more about my emotional roller coaster and bipolar2 status which influences my ability to make plans, goals, and follow through successfully. Therapy and meds have helped, but it doesn't remove the need to succeed. I won't put myself through the stress of convincing doctors, medical centers, of my urgent need to care for myself. i am too old to wait for "approval". It has been worth paying for.

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

It would take two years of doctor monitored dieting and exercises just to have them say see you can do it. It's the maintenance I have difficulty explaining. I'm 66 years old. I've followed everyone's rules but cannot live on their terms. I want the rest of my life on my terms. Look to dr. for their expertise and wisdom, follow their plan,

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Fear for my health and the success of several friends, acquaintances, and especially my loving supportive daughter and my beautiful grandchildren.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After studying and researching the various methods, I know I want the permanent correction of RNY surgery, like a new birth, from that point on I can use the small stomach as a tool to help control my therapeutic work and portion control. This new life with my new stomach has been more therapeutic and sound than anything I've tried yet.

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 still have the fears about both complication and dying from the surgery, rather not from the surgery, but more from my poor current health. I have always lived in fear of sickness or disability but not so much about dying. Dying gets over.

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?

I haven't told my husband or my therapist or my HMO doctors.My daughter is ecstatic and very supportive. My husband is too nervous for me to say anything until the week before the surgery - then he'll find out. Actually I told him when I got the confirmation date for surgery and the deposit paid and airplane booked. He is delighted but cautious. I'll tell my friend Wednesday. I've told my pulmunologist - he's apprehensive. I will tell my pcp week before I go to PV. She is very supportive. I'll email my therapist. He won't care. My pcp was not apprehensive-she was supportive and encouraging and anxious to take me as a follow up care. my therapist was alarmed.my friend was concerned but supportive.

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

not applicable

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

I felt pampered and nurtured.I was in the hospital 4 days.plastic teaspoons(10),slippers,a smile.

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

during surgery 3 hernias were discovered on abdomen from previous surgical scarring.Infection ensued from scramble, tooth chipped,major fever.Infection was between layers of skin, did not perforate into stomach cavity.Concern and excellent antibiotics and my will got me back on this side of the flowerbed.

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

Euphoric and could hardly wait for the date to come to leave to have surgery.I recognized my anxiety as thrilling anticipatory adventurous discovery.

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

Quite a range of feelings: is everything going the right way, feeling different stomach movements,fibromyalgia flared out of fear of control.Advice? Feel it, describe it, Enjoy the day ! !

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

1000 miles..affected my comfort level having to haul my luggage through airport - and this was 9 days out from postop. Strained wounds and muscles.

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 loved ice chips 4 days post op. Up til then, nothing. Clear broths, juices, protein drink, watr, ice chips, for first 10 days. Second 10 days creamy soups, nonfat nosugar yogurt protein shakes added in.

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

I was cautious and walked daily for 30 minutes at a time the first and second weeks.

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

multivitamin, b12, bcomplex,

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?

haven't had any yet after 2 wks post op

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

nothing

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

OH, daughter, friend, surgeon, doctor, friends. Extremely important. I would feel very isolated and anxious on my own. My asthma and related pulmonary distresses are minimized and manageable. I joined a post bariatric surgery group at Kaiser and it has been a blessing as an outlet and encouragement.

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

5 little dimes that fade away and 1 nickel on its way out. yes, I knew what to expect. I am more than excited to report I have virtually no scars and that is wonderful. A wonderful surgeon did that for me.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none yet. plateaus come and go. I just carried on about never reaching my 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th goals. and then it passed.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Curious questioning looks. I respond with a smile and say hi. Yes, I am acceptable. To those I've confided my previous "size" they had no idea. I carry myself like I've always been thin.