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

My PCP had mentioned it about another patient, who was doing so well, and then I met a woman at my summer yard sale, who had successfully been thru the surgery, and took one look at me, and said she knew I'd be a good candidate....I called my PCP immediately and he was thrilled to start the ball rolling for me!!

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

My Insurance, Aetna US Healthcare, did not hesitate to approve me the first time I applied. They encouraged me in fact. I was thrilled to know that they considered me a higher risk already, due to my health problems already existing.

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

I brought with me a LONG list of questions to ask, and lo and behold my surgeon answered them before I got to ask him! :) He was VERY encouraging and saw surgery as a "must" for me in order to make my life more productive and last longer. Trust your surgeon, and don't be afraid that any question you may have might sound "silly". Your life is on the line, and it is your RIGHT to ask anything!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

After 30 years of morbid obesity, and increasing health risks, I knew that I HAD to do something....Dieting had NOT worked for me, and each day was getting more & more difficult for me to get thru....This was my chance to change my lifestyle & save my life!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I had been researching for about 2 mos. and had looked on line at the procedures available, and felt most comfortable with the VGB. It gave me options if I were to ever need medical attention later on in the area of being scoped, etc....I felt confident that it was 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 truly did not fear the surgery, as I was more fearful of what might happen if I DIDN'T have the surgery. I was a high risk already! I went in to the surgery knowing that I had NO choice but to believe that I was getting a 2nd chance, and that the surgery would SAVE my life.

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, at first, had a few reservations, as they had heard of the high risk factor of the surgery. However, I shared with them the knowledge I had learned in all my research, and told them of the high risk I was already, and they supported me 100% from then on. They continue to be my cheering section, and are so proud of the positive things that have taken place to me since the surgery!

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

When I got my surgery date, I was "high" on life and started marking the days on my calendar. I was not anxious or fearful at all.....One situation I did find "unusual" :) was that I wanted to have all the food during the last couple of weeks that I knew I wouldn't be eating again. :) I had so many "last suppers" that it became quite funny to everyone around me! :)

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

When I returned home after surgery I was VERY positive about everything. I really had no desire to eat, so the liquid diet, and then the soft diet, didn't really bother me at all. The pain was minimal and I had already started getting a "new" feeling of energy. I was excited to continue on and follow everything the surgeon suggested.

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

My surgeon was about an hour away from my home in the country. This was not a problem, and aftercare visits each month were just considered a trip to the city for me.

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 few months after surgery was easy for me when it came to eating. I did start to have problems when I introduced certain foods like meat & veggies....I would chew chew chew and yet still vomit for hours afterwards....quite upsetting, to say the least. I have stayed away from meats to this day and it is 1 year since my surgery. I find myself trying different foods once in a while, but have stayed mostly with the foods that do NOT make me ill. I have discussed this with my surgeon and have been told to try occasionally the foods that have not agreed with me. I have pretty much decided to stay away from meats entirely but can eat a cooked carrot now, so veggies might be ok in time.

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

My activity level was increased while still in the hospital in fact! :) I was walking the halls the day after surgery and that was something I couldn't have done for long before the surgery! When I got home, my activity level increased almost daily as I started feeling stronger, and it continues to amaze me that I am like the "Energizer Bunny" and don't tire out anymore! :)

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

I have been on Flintstone Plus vitamins, taking 2 a day, and am now taking chewable Calcium supplements, 2 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?

The vomitting has been the roughest for me, but I only have it when I try something that my tummy rejects. That's really hard though, even though I only do it about once a month now....The hair loss started about 4 mos post op, and lasted about 5 mos. for me. I just kept telling myself that things will improve, and pass with time.

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

I did a lot of on-line support for the first several months. I did go to a couple of local support meetings, but have mainly gotten the support from family and a few friends who have also had WLS....we all share with one another and keep in touch with questions, ideas, etc....

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

My scar seemed so large at first! :) While it was healing it was quite swollen and red, but now after 1 year it is visible, but faded now. It seems so minor since I know that it is the sign that saved my life!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I hit my first plateau about 9 mos. post op and was expecting it, as I was told it would happen, so it didn't bother me. I have continued to lose, but at a much slower rate now, and I know that I still have lbs to lose, but it make take a while yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Unfortunately, YES....that has bothered me many times, as people acknowledge me in stores, hold doors open, etc. Why didn't they do that for me BEFORE if what I always ask myself. Society is rude when it comes to obesity and I truly oppose that!!