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

Friends were considering having surgery. Quite frankly...I thought they were nuts!

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

My surgeon's office staff handled this for me. I feel it went smoothly. I feel approval was given quickly.

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

I was desperate and needed reassurance that my life could change, the I could lead a healthier, happier and more productive life.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I saw myself reflected in the long window by the desk in my office and I was shocked at how others must be seeing me. I was a mess. I was fat, I had stopped taking care of my hair and make-up, my clothes were ugly, my ankles were swollen and I was wearing a hugh weight bearing knee brace! I said to my self "girlfriend, this has to stop or your going to DIE." I went to Dr. Marema's seminar the next week.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Primarily it was Dr. Marema's decision as to which way we would go. I left it in his hands to decide what would be best for me.

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 never thought for a moment that I might die or even have complications for that matter. I was desperate to change my life and felt that after years of yo yo dieting this was my only option. I had confidence in my surgeon and left everything in his capable hands.

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?

The people I told were extremely supportive and I could not have gotten through the surgery without them. Others, whom I did not tell I simply did not tell for the simple reason that I didn't want them to worry. A friend had the surgery up North, with very serious complications. My family and friends up there know what he went through so he was their only basis for comparision. I had the support of the people in the support group meetings, they didn't. I wanted to have my surgery, get better and then show them how things go when everything goes OK. For me it worked.

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

I didn't tell them anything other than that I would be out for gall bladder surgery. My gall bladder was removed during my bypass operation so I wasn't lying. I don't feel they would have been supportive. I feel they could have been out and out nasty. I was out of work four weeks to the day.

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

I feel I received poor nursing. True they are extremely overworked (it's a job you couldn't pay me to do) but they also know so very little about this type of surgery that they have no idea what to do with us or how to help us. They kept asking me questions like "why did you have this surgery?" I had the impression they wanted to know how I had allow myself to get into this condition. That they felt I somehow deserved the pain I was in and that they thought they had more seriously ill patients to handle. I was in the hospital for six days. Bring towels and face cloths, your own personal hygene products, etc. Forget the make-up, clothes and fancy hair items...you won't need them!

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

I ran a slight fever which kept me in hospital for an extra day or two.

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 felt surprisingly confident and relaxed. I new things were changing for me, that my life was going to get so much better.

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

Your surprisingly tired. There is mild pain. People want to help you, but it's best to do things yourself. Try to get out a walk. Take small amounts of food. Buy yourself a little food puree thingy (amout $23). Take it slow. I thought I'd heal like I did when I was 16 and had an operation. I figured I'd use the time at home to teach myself excel and lotus computer programs. Forget it. I could barely stay awake. Take the time to heal. You will know when you can do things. Don't let others baby you. Listen to your surgeon, he knows best.

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

About 8 miles. Not far at all.

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.

In the beginning you don't want to eat anything. You have to make yourself eat. The puree stuff is awful. It's amazing how good a brast of chicken can be, but take that same breat and throw it in the puree machine and somehow it becomes the worst thing on earth! Eat slowly. For me beef is off limits. I've tried a little hamburger and it was OK, but I can't imagine trying to digest roast beef or prime rib or london broil. Maybe I can, but I've not tried it. As time passes you can go back to regular foods. I go out alot. My frige is full of those takout boxes. I recommend getting out with friends. My friend had surgery and doesn't go out to dinner with anyone. He feels deprived and angry that his only social activity has been taken away. I got out almost immeditely. I enjoy social settings and don't feel at all deprived. I tend to eat to fast and my food gets stuck. I have to make myself throw it up, but afterwards I can go right back to me meal (I know this sounds disgusting) but it happens. At my six month visit last week Dr. Marema said "this shit has got to stop." He told me that I have to change my eating habits or when I go back to eating regular foods (right now I'm on mostly protins) I will have problems. Since my last visit I have made an effort to eat small bites and much slower. I have not been sick since.

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

Immeditely following my surgery all I wanted was sleep. Now I feel good. I can get out and do more things. I did a heart walk with a group of people from the our New Beginnings Support Group and I was proud of myself for getting out there and making the effort. I didn't complete the walk, but at least I got out there and this time last year I never would have even considered such a thing. I recently joined a gym.

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

I take chewable multi-vitamins and zinc to keep my hair from falling out. Both at the suggestion of my surgeon. I also get monthly vitamin B-12 shots.

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?

Having to MAKE myself vomit has been the worst for me. But I do this to myself because I eat much to fast. I am making an effort to retrain myself. The hair loss was something I worried about, especially as my hair was already very thin. I bought hair care products called "Nick Cheves" from home shopping or QVC. I used to was my hair daily or at the very least every other day. With these products I can go five sometimes six days without having to was my hair. For me they worked. I've had very minimal hair loss. I've only dyed my hair twice since my surgery. So I'm sure that has helped.

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

The two or three weeks following surgery and for me, having the draining tube taken out. I was surprised at how much it hurt. But I'm a big baby so that my have something to do with it! The reality if it is millions of people have such tubes taken out every year and they survive...and so did I.

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

I love my support group meetings. I've only missed two since last July and I had valid excuses both times (a flood in the house, etc.). The meetings afford me the opportunity to hear from other patients and future patients. I get suggestions on diet, meals, clothes, etc.

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

It's much longer than I expected, but who cares. I feel it healed very nicely and if someone doesn't want to see it...than don't look! Seeing me so heavy was much more offensive I'm sure.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

It's getting harder and harder to stay on just protins, but when you do and if you exercise you lose so much better.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes People actually look at me now. People in this very office building who have ignored me in the past actually look at me and say "hello" or "good morning" now. My boss has started being nicer to me me too...too little, too late as this is my last week here.