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

A friend of my boss had surgery (Scopinaro). She told me all about it. After that I made an appointment with the surgeon and he explained everything and told me that for me it would be worthwile to have surgery. At first I was a bit scared, but I knew it was the right thing to do for my future health.

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

I live in Holland (The Netherlands). In Holland there is a waitinglist for a few years (4 years at least) to have WLS. Therefor I had the surgery done in Belgium (Country right benieth Holland). Because the surgery was not done in Holland I had to pay for the operation myself. Lucky the hospitals in Belgium get financial help from the gouvernment. That is why the operation costed me about $ 8.000,--. In Holland itself its much more expensive.

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

We had a long talk (about 1,5 hour). He explained all sorts of ways to loose weight (from diet pills to lapband to surgery). He explained all there was to gain but also all the risks involved. If you have the first talk with a surgeon, make sure you have a list with all your questions. Don't hesitate to ask anything. Even twice if you have to. It's about your body, you have a right to know as much as possible.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I could not loose the weight myself. The surgeon told me this was the best option for me. I wasn't happy with my looks anymore. The friend who had surgery a year before looked better every month. But most important: I wanted to get healthy and fit again.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After long talk wit surgeon, who explained everything to me and gave me advice about 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 was a little afraid bacause of the epidural and sedation. I did have confidence in the surgeon and expected it to go well, but still I felt a bit weary. Normal fear I think. Try to concentrate on the good that will come from the operation.

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 were all very supportive. Only one or two were a bit weary about it because of the risks, but they all thought it would be good for my future health. And now, after 3 months they see that I look better and feel fitter already.

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

My boss was supportive. I was out of work for 7 weeks. First I started working half days, after 4 weeks of that I worked fulltime again.

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 alright. The staff was very busy, but caring. Over all they took good care of me. It is good to bring several sleepingshirts, a nice showergel (to use with a wash-cloth. Little things like that to make you feel clean. I brought a box with cd player and cd's, books, magazines, hobbymaterials. But I couldn't concentrate on them.

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

Luckily I had no complications at all.

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 had 2 days of tests to see if my body was strong enough to have the operation. Only after 3 weeks I heared that the results were good and that the operation would go through (Only heared that after 3 weeks because the surgeon was on holiday). After I heared the good news, the operation was scheduled for 1 week later. For that 1 week I felt happy and scared at the same time. It went by very fast.

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

It was a strange period. Had to get used to normal food again. Had to take things easy to avoid a hernia. Didn't dare to walk stairs for about 3 weeks. I felt a bit bored now and then because I wasn't able to move around much. After 2 or 3 weeks that was better because I was able to walk the dog and do a little shopping and light housework again.

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

I travelled from Holland to Belgium (300 kilometers away from my hometown). It is a 4 hour drive. Aftercare is doable, just take it easy (my husband drives the car, I'm the passenger).

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 I only had some light soup and a slice of bread without the crusts. Sometimes a toasted slice of bread with salad. After about 2 weeks I was able to eat a small peace of chicken, a soft boiled egg, custard. Things like that in small portions. After 3 weeks I tried potatoes and rice. It all went down well. The only thing I tried but did not feel to good was pasta. After 5 weeks I was able to eat everything (still in small portions) The ony thing I deny myself are crisps. They were my downfall and I will try to stay away from them as long as I can.

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

After 2 weeks I took my dog to the second tree, after 3 weeks I walked him around our block. After 4 to 5 weeks I was able to take the dog for a good round, I was able to go shopping for half an hour and I could do light housework. After 7 weeks I went back to work (half days) and 4 weeks later I went back to work fulltime. Now, after 3 months I feel fitter then before the surgery.

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

Multi-vitamins (1 every day), Calsium (1 every other day), Iron (1 every other day) and vitamine D (once a day).

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 had a little sleep disturbance, but I didn't mind going to sleep for an hour in the afternoon after a night with less good sleep. The only other thing that bothers me is the hair loss. It's not very bad, but there is still a little hair loss every day. I don't now what to do against it. Nurse told me it can take 6 to 12 months.

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

The worst part was the week before the surgery because then I got scared a bit. And after a week in hospital I was getting homesick.

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

In Holland there is no aftercare supportgroup. Luckily I now one other person who had the same operation. We share our story and feelings. It's very nice to have at least one person to talk to who KNOWS.

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

It's big, it's red. It was purple, so it is getting better. I don't mind it, I knew what to expect.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I'm sorry, I don't understand this question.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet, I only lost 21 kilo (45 lbs) so far. I'm still big. With a wintercoat on you don't see that much difference yet.