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

I found about bariatric surgery in 1991. I was about 90 pounds overweight at the time. The only procedure that I knew of was open stomach stapling. The procedure was about $10k and the insurance did not cover the procedure. I don't think things were meant to be at that time.

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

I went to Dr. L and they wrote my insurance company for me. Within a couple of months I was approved. I didn't have very much trouble in this area.

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

Quick. You are screened to see if you are a candidate and then asked to see other physicians and such to get surgical clearance. In addition you are asked to do homework about the surgery you are about to have. When all of this is complete, you can go back to see Dr. L.

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 somewhat scared that I would die. I decided that it was more important to try rather than not do anything about it and die anyway.

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 did not take me very serious. I did not have a support system. My husband told he was going to divorce me if I had it. I told everyone about my surgery and still do. Why hide it? Some members of my family and friends are more supportive now. Some wish they could have it done.

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

I was not and am not employed currently.

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

I stayed in the hospital for 9 days, of which all of them I was in pain most of the time. I could barely walk until the 8th day. The nurses were okay. I don't think they were very sensitive to wls issues. What was most important was me being comfortable after the surgery and the fact that it took so long to get my pain under control.

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

I had to have 2 blood transfusions. I never thought that I would say this, but I found it repulsive to receive someone else's blood after the fact. It literally made me feel sick, just the thought of tainted blood. It's all in my head. I am very thankful that the blood was available when I needed it. I also had severe pain in the main entry wound. This is the area that I bled for so long and then required a transfusion.

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

It took me about 3 months to get back to normal around the house. This whole time I felt like what in the heck did I get myself into. I actually regretted the surgery at this point.

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

I think my experience was different than most. I was in alot of pain. It probably would of helped if I was properly medicated for pain to begin with. It did not help that I had complications after the surgery. I took twice as long to recooperate than most.

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

I live about 10 minutes from my surgeon and the hospital.

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 could only have liquods for about a month. I was able to tolerate very soft foods; ie... mashed potatoes, soups, etc... It took me at least 6 months before I could even eat any type of meat or poultry. I could eat fish and shrimp after about 3 months. I thought I was going to be a vegan for the rest of my life. I still have a very hard time with dense meat; ie... chicken breast, pork, steak, sausage, and hamburger meat. I still primarily eat veggies, pasta, rice, and some bread. On occasion I venture out and eat meat or poultry. It really hurts sometimes. Other times when I do this I have to throw up immediately. No stopping this stuff from coming up.

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

It took me about 6 months to regain my strength. I couldn't even walk until around the 9th day. I steadily gained more and more strength.

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

I tried pre-natal vitamins from Wal-mart. I tried Flintstones with Iron. I am not on anything now.

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 suffered from nausia, vomiting, dumping, and pain the most the first few months. I still suffer from nausia, vomiting, dumping, some pain, and hair loss. Sometimes you learn just to except what you have been dealt. I do try to avoid a lot of things now. Sometimes you don't want to make the same mistake twice! Know what I mean!!!!!

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

The worst part was the pain and recovery. Oh yea, not being able to eat anything like I used to.

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

There is a new WLS support group being offered at the hospital where I had my surgery. I wish that I could go more often. I think it's important and great to be able to share with others my experiences and theirs alike.

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

All of my entry wounds from the LAP healed perfectly, except for the main entry wound. My main entry wound has hurt like for over a year. There is something wrong with it under the scar. I think I have some kind of knot there. It needs to be removed.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had many plateau's since my surgery, but most only lasted for about three weeks. These plateau's don't seem to get me down, because I look at the big picture of where I was and where I am now.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I notice the fact that I don't get stared at and I don't hear people making remarks as I walk by. Now it seems like I don't get noticed enough. GO FIGURE!