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

Primary doctor told me it was to be my "death bed" decision. Dialysis with the possility of an early death due to renal failure, heart attack or stroke...or lose the weight and at least improve my odds for a better quality of life for as long as possible by losing the weight. I didn't have time to have any impressions, it was what was needed to be done for me to live.

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

Remember not to give up! The quality of your life and how you live it and how long you live it are the ONLY issues. If it's not just a "diet alternative" you are looking for and you really, REALLT need to lose the weight for your quality of life to be improved, then FIGHT if you have to.

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

My surgeon was the best. Personable and willing to educate you on what ever level needed for you to be comfortable with the decision you had to make. ASK QUESTIONS, EXPRESS YOUR FEARS, BE HONEST AND DON'T BE INTIMIDATED!!!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Not a decision that had to be made. It was a do or die situation. To the point of last chance to live and had no turning back point.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My Surgeon explained each and every options he felt would benefit ME the most.

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?

My faith in God and the support I received from family friends medical professionals and collegues lessened tose fears. Make sure your "support" is in place before surgery. Both pre-care and after care. Never stop expressing any fears that you do have, continue to ask questions and insist on answers. Weight the odds of the quality of life you have now to those possilities you will have after having the surgery. Just remember that complications from obesity kill at a much high percentage than having the surgery. Rest assured that there is the possibilty of complications more from obesity than there is the surgery to get you healthy and at a manageble weight.

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 and friends encouraged and werethere for me every step of the way. If they hadn't been I would have insisted that they would be. They were all very glad that I was forced into making a decision to do SOMETHING to improve my quality of life. My friends actually worked in shifts when I came home and I had friends and family with me 24/7 for nearly 3 weeks. I am very blessed.

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

At the time I had my surgery I had already been approved a year prior for social security disabilty benefits. My employer was sad at the loss of my having to resign, but were supportive and encouraging.

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

The staff there was wonderful. The surgery is becoming more common place and teams of nurses had specialized training to get you through the "rough" part of the first few days of reovery. Make sure you ask about this at your medical institutiom...you want to be treated expressly by a staff that is totally experience in THIS post op proceedure. Because of my severely delapidated health at the time, I was in a total of 8 days, 3 in I.C.U., but this is not the usual stay. Especially now (January of 2002, they are able to perform the Roux-en Y procedure laparascopically, some patients go home in 2-3 days) Bring a friend/loved one that will be a HELP and not an annoyance (some of you may want to leave mother with the children ha-ha)bring your faith and determination and especially a good attitude. These will help your recovery more than anything. Leave your personal nitey, robe and bed dress at home. You'll be hooked up with fluids, drains, wires etc and you'll never be able wear anything of your own comfortably. Hospitals that do these surgeries on a regular basis have special LARGER size bed dresses/gowns that are more functional and that you'll be more comfortable in.

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

I had many complications before and after, but again mine was an unusual case scenario due to my many health issues. I was higher risk and very much sicker than most patients that have had the procedure done. I was nearly disqualified for medical necessity by the high risk. Take control of your situation while in the hospital, continue to ask questions a keep them informed on how you are feeling. If you don't feel ready to go home express this. They can get another day or two stay approved. Don't let them tell you differnet. You have patient rights, and humane rights to be as recovred as possible on discharge. Don't treat your rights as just Privileges! Most hospital have a "patient liason" and social worker that can help if you run into problems with this.

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 made the necessary preparation for me to be away from home, got everything in order as I felt comfortable and this kept me quite busy. Again, your at home support "team" and faith in your God is very important. xtra prayer never hurt anything. The last thing I did was make one last trip through my favorite buffet bar!

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

My recovery was hard, but I also had many other health issues, so it was not at all typical. Most of the time the recovery period is short (although not always sweet) and you will be back to feeling good in just a couple of weeks. The first few meals will actually be a little scary and anxiety creating. The dietary consultation prior to discharge will help...AGAIN...ask questions!!

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

Hospital was local and the trip home bumpier than I ever remembered! Bring a pillow to hug!

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.

Food was trail and error, but those things that "hurt" I just put off for a while, add things a little at a time just like you may have done with your new born and toddlers. You'll find it a lot less aggrevating and painful. Things get better, keep trying the foods that cause discomfort, most times it does go away....and remember...SLOW DOWN AND REALLY CHEW. Threading a needle with a peice of spaghetti doesn't work well.

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

Walks around the house and bed rest for the first 10 days or so, then a little more each day as tolerated. I was on my treadmill and in the pool week 4.

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

Dietary supplement should be taken as ordered or prescribed by your physician. Especially iron and B vitamins. He may give you a prescription. Otherwise children's chewables work really well, I found.

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 alopecia (hair loss) but not everyone does, remember I had lots of other comlications. Sugar dumps are worse by far for diabetics, and if you measure and mind your food you shouldn't have too much of a problem with nasea and vomitting (vomitting REALLY HURTS) you'll avoid what ever it is that cause it.

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

The loss of my best friend and comforter.... food. Very emotional adjustment for me.

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

We (some other patients and friends) have just started a patient for patient support group. Providing information, doctor lists, experience etc. for those needing pre-care qestions answered and after care support. We found by experience after care usually consists of the doctor just checking your surgery site and weighing you in. You'll need more, believe me. Lots of other issues will come up and your doctor may not have the answer or may "write them off". A support group of peers can be very important, especially if you are not geting your questions answered or you lack support at home.

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

I had to have additionsl "retention" sutures because of being so dense, large and having paper thin skin due to other medical issue. The scal is a lot less prett than some, byt is a constant reminder to me of how good LIFE IS! I expected the amount of scarring and was told was told ahead of time about having the more extensive scarring... I never worried about wearing a bikini anyway or exposing that portion of my body, so it has still been totaly worth it!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have about 26 pounds from goal, but if I never lost another pound I am still the happiest woman on the face of the earth. (But I hope that saying this doesn't jinx me! HA!) I know that the scale is not a good measurement tool as when you lose fat and gain muscle, the muscle WEIGHS more than fat but takes up less bulk (area)that a pound of fat takes... an area almost 3 times the mass of muscle tissue. So use other methods like a tape measure or take photographs!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

OH BOY! thought this question might come up! First of all my many friends NEVER treated my any different other than showing me off afterwards, but those that did discremenate against me when I was obese had a real attitude change. Like that waitress at the local restaurant that always snickered when she saw you trying to squeaze into that dining booth. Just remember it's STILL their problem and not yours. Be kind to them.... they just were ignorant. Keep your great new look and attitude! Show them before and after pictures... this will refresh their memory and often make them fell pretty badly for the way the remember treating you. Then order from the child's menu (which is smaller and CHEAPER) and leave an according tip!