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

I have several people that I work with that have had some sort of bariatric surgery in the past few years. Some of them had terrible experiences with it and some of them have done very well. The worst thing that most complained about was the healing from the the major surgery and not learning how to eat right afterwards. When I talked with a person who had had the laproscopic bariatric surgery, I knew that I had to learn more about it. I was very impressed after meeting with Dr. Kligman and learning about the surgery and decided that this was going to be my best life changing decision ever. (and it has been)

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

I had a lot of help getting approved for the surgery from my family Doctor before I even met Dr. Kligman. I wrote a personal letter to my insurance company about my obesity and other health problems to let them know how important it was to me to have this surgery.

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

I was soooo nervous before that first meeting with Dr. Kligman but about 1 minute into the office and I was perfectly at ease. All my fears about how I would be perceived as an obese person were put to rest by each of the staff as I met them. My sister who is an RN accompanied me as my support person and was included in all my questions. No question was a dumb question. I would advise patients to write their questions down so they don't forget to ask them.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

After speaking with the Dr. and his staff, I felt that all my fears had been addressed and that the surgery was the best option for me in order to get my weight under control. I felt full trust in the Dr.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After meeting with Dr. Kligman and learning how he did the procedure laproscopically, I was convinced that this was the way to go!

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 had a fear of dying during surgery due to my heart problems but after meeting with the heart surgeons at MCO, that fear was pretty much put to rest. I knew that if problems arose during surgery, the heart specialists would be called in and fix it. My other fear was that I would get a "leak" and die from complications of that. I had known other people who had had similar surgeries in the past 15 years and had ended up with months of hospitalizations due to "leaks". This really worried me until I met the Dr. and discussed the differences in techniques and how far the surgery has come since the "old days" of the stomach stapling. I would say that if you have a fear about your surgery, discuss it with the Dr. before you decide to have the surgery and get names of other people to talk to and see how they did and what their fears were too.

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?

For the most part, my family was totally supportive of my decision to have the surgery. My husband and Mother and Daddy and sisters and brothers have been so excited for me that it's amazing! My daughter was the only person who really got scared for me to have it. She has known others that had problems after this kind of surgery and did not want me to take the chance. She said that she felt that what I weighed didn't matter to her so why was it so important to me. I think that she felt that if I tried harder to diet that maybe I wouldn't need the surgery, even though she has watched me diet until I practically killed myself. I know that she is proud of me now. She has praised me daily about how my body is changing and is seeing that it was the right decision for me to make.

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

My employer was supportive about my decision but worried none the less about the safety of the surgery. I was nervous about talking to her about it because I felt that it was a very private thing for me to decide to do. Due to my other health issues, I decided that I should talk to my employer and let her know why I was taking such drastic steps to lose weight. I had the surgery on a Friday and was back to work the next Friday!

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

I had my surgery on a Friday morning and went home that Sunday afternoon! I didn't bring anything with me except my phone book but I really didn't need it since I had a phone on my bed and all my family and friends called me. The nurses kept coming in asking if I needed anything but I didn't.

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

My only problem was nausea from the anesthesia which I always get. I was given meds for it in my IV.

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's only been 2 1/2 weeks and I feel great! I was a little worried by my decision on the 2nd day I was home but I don't know why. I think I was afraid to try and eat what I was supposed to be able to. But as soon as I found that eating was no problem at all, I calmed down and got excited about all the changes that were going to take place in my life because I was going to be feeling so much better.

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

Everyone you know will be asking if you feel good. Everyone will be asking a lot of pretty personal questions. This didn't bother me. I just told them what they wanted to know. A lot of people asked questions that they were afraid to ask before the surgery.

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

90 miles. The ride home was not to nice but I made it and I would do it again if need be!

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.

The first 2 weeks I ate full liquid diet. Only diet jello and diet pudding etc. I learned that even if it says "diet" on the label, it doesn't mean that it will be tolerated. I tried a diet yogurt that upset my system and caused "dumping" syndrome because it had fructose and sucrose in it. I READ ALL LABELS NOW! Since I have been on the next step of the post op diet, I have eaten baked fish, green beans, beef and noodles, and spaghetti along with my liquid things like jello and applesauce. I have not had any problems. I have not missed the Diet Pepsi or coffee which I thought I would. 3/5/01: Updating to let you know that I had a small set back. Two weeks ago I began experiencing a problem with food sticking and vomiting it up. I had an upper GI last week and then an EGD with dialation on 3/1/01. The procedure was not bad and I am eating a bit better now. I guess I had scar tissue around my stoma and it had to be stretched. I am scheduled to have the EGD with dialation again on 3/15/01. This was disappointing to me because there are soooo many people watching every little change that is happening to me and I didn't want anyone saying "I told you so" about the surgery. So many people are behind me but you wouldn't believe how many others there are out there who seem to be waiting to see me fail. oh....I've lost 42 lbs since 1/12/01 and I feel very good except for the eating/sticking thing which I know will be fixed for good next week!

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

I was out on the go the 4th day after surgery. I visited friends and did some light housework. I came back to work the following Friday after my Friday surgery since I am at a desk and felt good enough to be there. I have been walking more and plan to join a health club this week.

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

I am taking Flintstones chewable vitamins and 3 sugar free tums each day as prescibed in my post surgery plan by the Dr. 3/5/01: updating my file. I now take liquid pepsid due to a problem with my stoma and scar tissue causing regurg.

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?

Nausea was the worst and it was over 2 days later. I got meds for it at the hospital and didn't have the problem when I went home.

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

Worrying about that stupid Upper GI test after surgery which was not bad at all!

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

I will be learning about the aftercare support group when I see the Dr. on 2/1/01. I have been in contact with another person who had the surgery and she has been a great help with my questions.

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

I have 6 small scars and they practically do not show at all.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

They are all pretty curious about the surgery and how I feel and what I can eat and if I miss eating junk and stuff like that. Most everyone is excited to tell me that I am looking thinner each day!