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

A friend had the surgery 3 years ago. I was not impressed, as she did not lose to her goal and is now gaining steadily. It seemed like a huge risk for little results. I then went to an Information Meeting as a result of other friends investigating for themselves. At the meeting I realized that my friend was in the minority and possibly this surgery could work for me if I followed instructions, as she had not. I saw a light at the end of a tunnel and decided to go for it.

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

Be proactive. Do not think that everything is being taken care of by the office. Check on everything they tell you, they are very busy. Call your insurance company to be sure they have actually received everything the office says they sent to the insurance company. Ask questions of your insurance company. Be polite and persistent. Document who you speak to, the dates and times and exactly what they have told you. Hold people accountable for information they have given you. My experience with getting approval was a nightmare until I got actively involved with my insurance company because the doctor's office was telling me they had sent paperwork and I found out the insurance company had never received it. When I offered to send the paperwork myself, after having picked it up at the office, the approval was accomplished in 1-2 days. Amazing!

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

Go with a list of questions. Do not wait until you get in the office to try to remember your concerns. Be prepared, the surgeons time is precious and so are your feelings.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Desperation.

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, without exception, against the surgery. They were supportive only to the extent that they knew I had made my mind up and they would be there for me to care for me post op. They felt the surgery was too extreme and suggested more dieting and exercise, stating that I did not have enough self control or will power. My friends, aside from my surgery buddies, were also not supportive and were fearful of the extreme action I was taking. After the surgery, they were still not supportive and as I lost the weight quickly, told me that I looked sickly. Of course I did, I just had major surgery! duh Now, after 2 years, the weight is all off, I am healthy looking again, happy and active, they realize it was a good decision. I know that most of their initial arguments came from lack of information, and not understanding how desperate I truly was. I would not have communicated anything differently. The obese family/friends are now, 2 years later, either displaying jealousy or ridicule and still say I should have just dieted. Their issues, not mine.

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

I was out of work for 19 days. My employer was supportive since he knew I had made my mind up and that's all there is to it. I told him that I would be happier if I could get my personal life (eating) under control. Other management members made ridiculing remarks, but not in my presence. I was told of this by others. In the 1st year post op, when the weight was just pouring off me, I looked a bit emaciated, and they were quick to tell me about it. They kept saying I looked too skinny. They were used to seeing me waddle around in a size 24/26 so yes, to them I looked emaciated. Oh well. Now that I am 2 years post op and have lost all the weight and am maintaining at a size 4/6, they ask questions about how I am feeling. I tell them, GREAT! They look disappointed, go figure.

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 is mostly a blur due to the pain medication. I had laparoscopic bypass and begged to leave as soon as possible. I think I brought too much to the hospital in the way of night clothes, a pillow, shoes, towels, etc. All I should have brought was a pair of slippers, a toothbrush, brush for hair, and a loose fitting dress to leave in. I was in the hospital (Holy Cross/Ft.Lauderdale) for 50 hours. I was admitted early on 2-8-2001 and was released around noon on 2-10-2001. The tube was removed before I left. There was nothing they were doing for me that I couldn't take care of at home, e.g medication, cleansing of wound sites.

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

The only complication I experienced was fluid build up in the left incision. This happened approximately 5 days after surgery. The site became very red, swollen and infected looking, however it was not infected. It was extremely painful to the touch. I went to see Dr. Marema after 7 days and he opened the incision and pushed the fluid out. What a relief! The tenderness subsided and I continued putting hot/damp compresses on it every few hours for several days. This kept the incision a bit opened and able to drain. Within a week, the problem was virtually gone.

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

My surgery was initally scheduled for March 26th and I was dreading the next few months of waiting. Then I got a call from the office saying the date had been moved up to March 1st. WHEW. Then on February 6th I received a call asking if I were able to have the surgery on February 8th. HELL YES! I had been calling the office almost every day reminding them that I was available at any time and would pack a bag and be there in a half hour. The only anxiety I felt was that I would have to keep waiting for the surgery. I could not wait to get it over with and behind me. I was concerned that there might be complications, such as infection, but I also knew that those concerns were perfectly natural so I just kept talking to people about it to share my feelings.

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

You can expect a general lack of energy, tenderness of the incision sites, no appetite, and discomfort when laying prone. The best recommendation I can give you is to have a reclining chair. I slept in the chair every night and lived in it during the day. Each day I walked as far as I could and increased the length of time walking and the number of times walking every day. I truly believe that helped me recover faster. The more you get that body moving, the more the blood circulates, the faster you will heal. Push yourself to walk, it will help you in the long run. I was back to work in 19 days. I worked half days for a week, and then went back to full time after 26 days.

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

I live in Coral Springs and only had to travel a half hour to Ft. Lauderdale to Holy Cross Hospital. Dr. Marema's office is the same distance so my after care travelling issues were not a problem. Just make sure whomever drives you understands not to drive fast or make sharp turns since even little bumps in the road jolted me and it was painful. That was just for the 1st 2 weeks.

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 not eat meat. It's been 2 years since the surgery and I still cannot really eat meat. If I do, it has to be chewed extremely well and have tomato sauce or some other wet sauce on it. I was never a big meat eater anyway, so I don't miss it. Beef, other than hamburger meat in very small amounts, is definitely out of the question. Pork and chicken has to be chewed really well also, and like the beef, causes me to throw up. If I eat shrimp fast because I forget to chew more, that is a problem also. I eat mostly cheese and fish.

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

My activity level was increasing with each day because I pushed myself. I did not lift or twist or bend much for the first 3 weeks after surgery, but walking was the best thing I could have done for myself. I felt better after walking each day and each time. I went to the Mall just 5 days post op and walked and walked, taking rest stops on the benches every 15 minutes or so. I was back to work after 19 days.

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

Every single day I take: B12 sublingual dots (I hate injections) chewable vitamin C tablets chewable multi vitamins with iron potassium capsules calcium/magnesium citrate plus D capsules

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 lost about 30% of my hair, beginning at about 3 months post-op. That was honestly the worst side effect because the vomiting (foam only) came from my not chewing enough or eating too fast. The hair stopped falling out at about 6 months post op, and seemed to start growing back at about 8 months post op. I am now 2 years post op and all my hair grew back, no problem, don't worry! Dumping was a problem for me for the 1st year with greasy food only. I did not eat sugar so I didn't know what my tolerance for it was, nor did I want to find out. Nausia was only an issue the 1st time I got up after the surgery ... they gave me a shot and that was the end of that. I've never had nausia since. Sleep disturbance did not happen because for the 1st weeks post op, I slept in a recliner, which was perfect. When I tried to lay prone, it was painful, and if I fell asleep prone and rolled over, it woke me up from the pain, so I stayed in the recliner. It worked.

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

Waiting for it! The surgery was a walk in the park for me. The post-op was no problem. I would do it again in a NY heartbeat.

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

I go to every Support Group Meeting at Holy Cross Hospital. Many of my friends have had this surgery. We share our successes and failures along this wonderful journey back to health. I need the support of post op patients like myself to continue growing in confidence about body image, temporary hair loss, relationship changes, etc. Friends are always important, but my post op friends are special! 2/8/2003 Now that I am 2 years post op I have not been going to the meetings. I have recommited to doing that. I need the ongoing support and information. Also, I want to pass HOPE along to the new people.

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

I have six small scars. Of course, the more weight I lose, the smaller the scars become. Two of them are less than a half inch. The other four are about an inch to an inch and a half long. They are not bad at all. I've gotten used to them ... to the point that I go to the nude beach every Sunday. :) 2/8/2003 I had a tummy tuck and lost one of the scars in the process. The scars are barely visible. I am proud of them!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

2/8/2003 At 2 years post op my plateaus are directly proportional to carb intake. I can adjust my weight by wavering back and forth between 122-129 by the amount of carbs I eat. In the 1sy 8 months post op however, I did experience weight loss plateaus, even when I was eating protein only. I believe it's just the body's way of adjusting. Don't worry, they are temporary.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Absolutely. Kindness, consideration, respect, attention, have all increased now that I am a normal bodied person. Discrimination of obese people is not going to go away anytime soon. When I was obese, I was treated almost hatefully by strangers, especially the young.