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

I had a cousin who had WLS surgery years ago and she had great results for a few years but eventually some of the weight came back on. I was real apprehensive about the surgery until I read an article and saw Carnie Wilson on T.V. I decided that I wanted to check the surgery out more in depth. I'm glad I did because it was the best thing I ever did for myself.

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

My insurance BC/BS Government Employee Program was wonderful. I got approval in a couple of months with no problems. My doctor handled everything for me.

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

My first meeting with the surgeon consisted of seeing a psychologist, having a physical, and then a consultation with the surgeon. I had a list of questions which I had written down during my months of research and he answered every question in depth for me so that I could understand everything I would be undergoing. I was very scared when I walked in his office and he made me feel very comfortable.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I finally decided to have WLS surgery because I wanted to be here to see my daughters grow up and at the rate I was going who knows what would have happened to me. I had no medical problems and I knew if I kept the weight on I would definitely have the risk of having high blood pressure, heart problems, arthritis, cancer, or any other terrible problems. I am only 36 years old and I have a long life ahead of me now.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My doctor described open and lap RNY to me and he helped me make my decision. He felt that the risk was definitely lower if I had the open RNY and that is what helped me make my decision.

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 first and biggest fear was that I would not wake up after the surgery. I wrote letters to my daughters, parents, and sister telling them of my feelings just in case I didn't make it. I had no fear of the surgery because I had talked with a psychologist and knew my head was in the right place for it. I would tell anyone who had fears to talk with your doctor, psychologist, even your pastor or preist and discuss all the fears you have. Have faith in God and the rest just falls into place.

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 parents were very apprehensive at first. My father is on a hopsital board and he spoke with numerous surgeons about the surgery. After he spoke with them he was a lot better informed and happy for me. My sister was extremely supportive and if I didn't have her I don't know what I would have done. My husband was not supportive at all. He didn't want me to have the surgery and left me 1 week post op. I found out that he was the biggest supporter of my eating and weight gain. My friends were also very supportive, I have the best friends in the whole world. Any time we have get togethers they make sure there is something on the menu that I can eat and they are constantly telling me how proud and happy they are for me.

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

I was out of work for 2 weeks and when I went back it was no problem because I have a desk job. As for my employer, it is my father and he didn't want me to come back that soon.

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

My stay in the hospital was great. The nurses were very helpful and very supportive. They kept telling me to come see them in a year because they knew I would do great. I was in the hopsital for 3 days and the most important things to bring is a robe (for taking many long walks down the hall), house slippers (the same reason), books or magazines (it gets boring watching t.v. all the time), your own pajamas (those hospital gowns just don't feel very attractive), pillow (do I need to say more on that), and perfume (it makes you feel pretty).

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

No complications!!!!! The only thing that did happen was that I ran a fever the day after surgery because I didn't get myself up and walk like I was supposed to and when I did the fever went down.

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 so happy when I got my surgery date. The months before the surgery (after I had my date) I was kinda nervous but also excited and very anxious. I wished that I didn't have to wait 3 months for the big day.

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

The first couple of weeks I was moving very slow. I thought I could do everything but I quickly found out that I was not superwoman. I remember telling my friends that I would see them at my daughters schools auction which was March 15 (surgery 3/2) and when that day came I realized that that would not happen. I remember riding in a car the first couple of weeks and crying on the way home from the hospital because I felt every bump known to man. After the the first few weeks I was ready to conquer the world.

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

i had my surgery at St. Louis University Hopsital which is approximatley an hours drive from where I live. It has not affected my aftercare because I know it is very important and I like to make it a whole day and go shopping while I'm in the city.

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 all I could eat was pureed foods. After the first 2 weeks I started eating soft foods (scrambled eggs, yougurt, cottage cheese, etc.). Now at 4 months I can eat things like fish, mexican, cheese, soups, chicken, etc. The only thing I can't eat still today is red meats and breads. I can sometimes tolerate lean hamburger meat but only a little bit. I found that as the weeks go by I can tolerate a little more on my plate but there are still times when I eat something one day and it be fine, then a few days later it makes me sick. I can't eat sugar which doesn't bother me like I thought it would. I suggest trying new things periodically because what you couldn't eat one month, you might be able to tolerate the next. Pastas is also sometimes hard for me to tolerate.

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

Before my surgery I had absolutey no energy. I went no where. Now at 4 months I go, go, go. I have so much energy it is hard to catch me. I had to give everyone my cell phone number because I am never at home. I am either at the pool or the lake, shopping, at the park, or on a wonderful golf course. Which brings to mind another thing, my golf game has improved so much since my weight lose.

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

I take a multi-vitamin twice daily, 325 mg. of iron, 4 sugar-free tums, and vitamin B-12

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?

The only side effect I have had has been vomiting. I do vomit if I eat something my stomach can't tolerate, which is red meat. I sometimes vomit if I eat too much, never have that last bite I don't care how good it is.

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

For me, there was no worse part. I guess if you could consider not being able to eat refined sugar a worse part then maybe that would be it. It doesn't seem to bother me though.

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

There is a support group at St. Louis Washington University Hospital but I live an hours drive from there and don't get to go like I want to. I find all the support I need from my old friends and my new friends I have met in the chat room on this web site.

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

My scar goes from by breast bone to my belly button and it is fading daily. i expected it to actually be worse. I knew that I would never wear a bikini or show my belly in public so it really doesn't bother me.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Right now I am at a plateau and it is kind of discouraging. I know that plateaus are to be expected but it is still hard. I have lost 120 lbs with no plateau so I guess I should have expected it. Talking in the chat room to persons who have been through plateaus is very helpful.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

One thing that does bother me is that men are taking more interest in me now. I feel if they weren't interested in me when I was fat then why should I give them the time of day now. I am from a small town and I grew up here so everyone knows me and they have always treated me the same. I am very lucky to not have to deal with some of the discrimination others have to. I do get asked to do more athletic things with my friends now since I have lost some weight. They have told me they didn't think I wanted to before so that is why they never asked. They always wanted to include me though but didn't want me to feel bad for telling them no.