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

I first heard about it on tv, I saw Carnie Wilson.(God bless her she has helped so many people.)At first, I thought, "no way". I figured I'll just starve to lose the weight, but the worse my physical condition became, the more I realized I was desperate at this point. I mean we weren't talking about 20 pounds here.It would take me years to get this weigth off, meanwhile my knees were almost nonfunctioning. I started researching, and was thrilled to find out I might be eligible for this procedure.

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

so far it has been 6 weeks and not a word. Don't the insurance companies think you deserve a prompt repsonse when you you are considering something so serious? update: after 8 weeks I was approved.I think the insurance companies are best dealt with by the physicians who know what it is the insurance company is looking for as far as the need being there.I was anxious after that length of time but at least I wasn't having to fight it out myself with the insurance company.kudo's to Dr. H!!

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

I think you should get a reference from someone who has had the surgery to find your surgeon.MY first meeting was fabulous, I got a reference from another physician, and I could not have been happier.When I went to the office, I was scared, nervous and quite depressed. When I left I had some hope and confidence that things were going to work out for me. I felt like finally, someone understood what it was like and what needs to be done.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Utter hopelessness!!!!!! I live each day in constant pain from arthritic knees, I can't go anywhere, or do the things I want to do. My body is turning into that of a 70 year old woman.I can't even go places that my grandmother goes!(the mall etc).The rest of my family make me feel like I must want to be fat, they are all small people.My employer routinely reminds me I don't do all the "physical" things required by my job,inspections, etc.Every day is painful physically and emotionally.I am sick of it, and would do anything at this point.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I went for the consult thinking I would have the gastric bypass done.After arriving, Dr. Hoddinott showed that based on my family history, it would be better, safer, to go with BPD/DS. He showed me why and I totally respected his opinion.I believe it is safer and the better choice.

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 have some minor fears.I would be lying if I said I didn't. But, I think I am not really living now.I exist.So, when weighing the risks against the beefits, it is just worth it to me. I think you have to find a surgeon you feel comfortable with, and put your faith in his skills.I mean, I had a surgical procedure in august and there were risks associated with it,but I don't think you can dwell on the risks. I think the bigger risk for me is staying morbidly obese.

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 has been supportive, because they just want to see me have a normal life again.One of my dearest friends is totally against the surgery.She has been difficult to deal with at times.I just have to tell myself, it's not for her, it's for me.My kids are scared but I try to minimize that as much as possible.

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

it was not very pleaesant.I wsa in a lot of pain and rthe hospital appeared to be understaffed and unresponsive to the needs of morbidly obese.there were a few very sweet nurses whom went out of their way toi help but overall the nurses simply avoided me. lets face it, i was in a lot of pain and by far not the most pleasent person to be around.i was really happy to get home.

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

i stopped breathing during the surgery and had to wake up with a ventilator.it was painful and scary. seeing my family crying upset me to.it wa s only in for one day but it was on of the scariest times sof my life. it was the first time i realised hey i might actually die.

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 a lot of pain, i spent a lot of time feeling helpless and like a burden to my family. i was very frustrated because everything i drank even water made me throw up for 8 weeks straight. i couldn't go out i was so nauseaous.moving was very painful. basically i vegged out in my house for 8 weeks and hardly saw anyone.i remmeber spending my 40th birthday lying on the bed very depressed and unhappy. i was very weak and work was upset that i wasn't recovering fast enough.

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

do not expect to feel good. you probably will not. it is frustarting and there's a lot of pain physically. i suffered pain emotionally as well trying to give up food.get a lot of rest and take all the support you can get. i had a friend who calle dme every day and she saved me because she made me laugh and kept my spirits up no matter what my mood was.

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

only b15 minutes. i was very fortunate that the hospital and an excellent surgeon were near by to my home.i don't think i could have traveled any further.

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 couldn't eat anynthing at first, not even water. then i could have a little soup and then a little of other things. it was alot of trial and error, I never returned to my ol dhabits of eating ried fatty foods though. i have had to toatally relearn healthy eating and there is no wa y to cheat really.i am very happy with what i can eat. it's almost anyhting. i just stay away from fat and heavy starch foods like pasta and breads.

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

i couldn't do much for 6 weeks then i could do some light activities and then back to work full time at 8 -10 weeks. my boss was very angry but i drew disability and i was not well enough to work until a full 10 weeks had passed.

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

multivitamin and calcim mostly

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 went on for 8 weeks. i was really sick of being sick.i lost a lot of hair at 4 months. but the results are worth it.i just style it a little different.its a manageable sid eeffect.

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

the days immediatelyt after the surgery. the pain and discomfort and learning to eat all over again.and people asking you every day how much weight did you lose??

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

none--but I wish at times I would have. I really had no one to share this experience with except the folks on line and it was difficult for others to know what you went through. especially immediately post op.when you cannot eat anything and things seem pretty bleak at first.

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

big yes it is what i expected i don't care.It faded as time went on, its not so bad. I wouldn't wear a bikini but its not that bad any more.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

my weight levels off sometimes it can be frustrating but i know it will move again so i try not to focus on it too much.I take it one day at a time. its nnot the numbers taht really matter, its how I feel how healthy I am how I cope with things in general.sometimes I don't lose for several weeks and it can be frustrating but I have to rememeber I used to gain almost every week.now I am healthy.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes absolutely people treat me differently now. all of a sudden i'm acceptable again.nobody stares at me--I am just another person walking on the street now.I have numerous dates after not dating for 5 years.It is amazing to realize you are attractive after being used to everyone seeing the weight when they looked at you and not the person.my employer treats me differently. I am no longer a burden on my children who had to make up for the work I could not do when I was heavy.