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

I read about it in mag's, mostly Carnie Wilson. I started researching it and my initial impression was it was a real drastic step to take. I realized after more research it was not that drastic and besides I was at the end, I had tried everything else.

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

I did not do anything Dr. Pohl's office did it all for me. I called the office to see how it was going and they told me I was approved I was thrilled.

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

I was comfortable, I had researched the surgery for about a year so I took a list of questions, which I never used because Dr. Pohl answered them as he explained the procedure.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The feeling of not being able to breathe when I layed flat on my bed, or climbing the stairs, having less and less energy and feeling like this was only going to get worse and not better.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted lap because the healing time I felt would be shorter and easier. I was schedualed for surgery on 5-14-02 and had a summer course starting on 5-20-02. I made the right choice, I started the class on the 20th, and was comfortable enough to sit through a 3 hour class.

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 so afraid I was going to die, but I put it in god's hands, and also thought about it logically and decided I had a better shot of dying of a heart attack then I did from WLS. My advice, talk to your closest friends and family, only POSITIVE ones. Talk to people who have had it.

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 was great I knew they were all scared but all were and still are very supportive. My friends the same, I didn't tell anyone who I felt may be negative until after surgery.

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

I did not tell anyone at work. I was afraid they would not be supportive.

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 okay, I wanted to be home but I was up and walking hours after the surgery and went home 1 1/2 days after surgery. I brought personal hygiene materials, reading materials.

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

I started to feel really gassy and nausious on Thurs. night, 2 days post-op, Fri. night I vomited, I realized I was probally lactose intolerant switched to lact-aid did fine. I realized this because my surgeon had warned me at the initial consult that lactose intolerance can be one of the side effects of WLS.

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 really scared and nervous, but so very excited too. I chose a few close friends and family and just talked about it.

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

I did really well, not in to much pain, walked around, read, and talked. The worst part were the cravings, not hungry just wanted to eat. I got through it, called a friend, went for a walk, took a nap. I am 6 weeks post-op cravings are almost gone. I have no pain. I am walking two miles a day and doing Tae-Bo. Doing GREAT. I am now 13 weeks post-op and feel GREAT I walk/run 3 miles a day and I swim at night. I have so much energy.

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

I traveled about 10 min. the hospital was really close which was convenient for tests.

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 had just shakes for three weeks did fine. I have started puddings, yogurt, cottage cheese,scrambled eggs (sometimes okay sometimes not), and tuna fish. I love my sugar free popsicles. I am now 6 weeks post-op and I eat almost anything as long as it is soft and I can chew it really well. Some foods I can eat one day and be fine, eat them again the second time and it causes me to vomit, so I take it day by day. Still the same as week 6 for week 13. I am 5 months post-op, I can't eat anything sweet or fatty, I get dumping syndrome bad. I also can't eat bread, rice, or chicken it makes me sick. Other then that, I am doing GREAT!. I am still the same at 6 months.

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

I had surgery on 5-14-02, out of the hospital on 5-16-02, went to a support group meeting on the night of 5-16-02, started school on 5-20-02 a summer course, I have been able to walk 1-2 miles every other day. I stayed very active and I think is why I did so well. I am now three weeks post-op and walking 2 miles a day, taking my nephews out to parks and running around with them. I feel GREAT. 4 weeks post-op my time on 2 miles has gotton better alot more energy. The first two weeks I loved to take a nap in the afternoon, I would get really tired, but I'm fine now. Six weeks post-op I have added Tae-Bo to my routine, love it! 13 weeks post-op I have so much energy, I walk/run 3 miles a day and swim at night. At 5 months post -op I can run 3 miles in under 50 minutes, I can't believe it!

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

I just started my vitamins on my three week follow up appointment. I take chewable centrum and tums for calcium. I switched to calcium citrate with D for calcium as I was told in group we absorb it better.I now at 5 months post-op take a centrum and 2 calcium citrate pills so far so good with the blood work.

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 N/V for about two days when I got home but when I switched to lactaid I was fine. Did GREAT otherwise. Week 9 I am starting to see some hair loss, it is not really bothering me. Five months post-op still some hair loss but getting better. If I eat the right things and the right amounts I do not have N/V. I am still the same at 6 months.

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

Waiting for the day to finally arrive. Thinking that I might die.

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

They have a support group at the hospital where I had surgery, most of the people there are patients of Dr. Pohl, I have only been once, I felt very welcome, no one could believe I had just had surgery 2 days before and was there already, I am going to the the next one, as I feel it will help to be around people who understand what I am going through. I really like the support group, it makes me feel comfortable, I also really like the fact that my surgeon is there for a little while in the begining so if I have questions I don't have to wait until my next appointment. I am 5 months post-op now and I still love my support group, I have a few friends I have made who I talk to often and I love that.

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

My incisions look great, I'm not sure what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

only 6 weeks post-op none yet. Thank God. I lost no weight on week 7 and it drove me CRAZY, but I lost on week 8. I didn't feel great about this no loss week. I had another no loss week for week 14 but lost again on week 15 thank god!!!! At 5 months post-op it looks like I loose every other week, I know it sounds strange but that is the way it has been. I am 6 months now and have not lost in two weeks, I'm not crazy about it but I will have to deal with it.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

6 weeks, post-op I love the fact that people go wow you look like you lost weight. I can even see it myself now, that is a great feeling. I have lost 61 pounds and everyone keeps telling me how great I look which is GREAT. 13 weeks post-op I have lost 76 pounds I look really different I get alot of attention and I love it!! I am 5 months post-op I have lost 100 pounds and love the attention and the way I FEEL and look. I am now 6 months post-op and have lost a total of 105 pounds. I feel great!!!!