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

I'd been following "stomach stapling" for many, many years. This was NOT a surgery that I went into lightly. In fact, I had gone to a support meeting 1 1/2 years before my actual surgery and told myself that this was not for me and that I could lose the weight on my own. I would give myself one year to do it...and that one year resulted in a 30 lbs. weight gain. So much for "by myself". It wasn't until a 4th of July party in 2001 that I met someone who was having the surgery the following month. She told me about a new doctor in the area who was doing by-pass and lap band surgery. Through much conversation and support - I made an appointment with this new doctor and the rest is now history.

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

Didn't have too much of a problem.

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

It was a good experience because the doctor was very welcoming and truly sympathic to my situation. More doctor's should be this way. One should write down a list of questions that they want answered - because the doctor is SO busy - you really need to maximize your time with him/her.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Misery!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Actually, the procedure that I was "supposed" to have was changed 5 minutes before I went into the operating room. Too long a story to get into.

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?

Tremendous fears. A friend of mine had a son who worked in a hospital operating room where several of these procedures had been done. He was totally pestimistic. This did not help my situation. I guess I finally just started to believe in fate and have faith in God.

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?

Mostly great. I did have one good friend who was a nay-sayer. I think she was jealous and at some level did not want me to succeed. Everyone else was very supportive.

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

Everyone was very supportive. I work in a sports related environment where many of the people I work with are very health and body conscientious. I think this actually made things more difficult for me...but they were behind me 100% and gave me compliments and support on a regular basis. I was out of work for 6 weeks.

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

My stay was not a pleasant one. I had a lot of problems with leg pain - due to nerve damage that I encountered during surgery. I was only in the hospital for 4 days - during which time I gained 25 lbs. - due to the fact that I was taken off my BP medication (a diuretic) and my kidneys were not functioning properly. Not only was I in a lot of pain - but to leave the hospital 25 lbs. hesvier was devastating! The most important thing to bring is knowledge. My pain, my weight gain - all would have been handled a lot better -if I would have accepted that fact that these things happen sometimes, and that it is only TEMPORARY. All in all - everything worked out great.

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

Nerve damage to legs - had to see a specialist and go on medication. I still have some problems - but it took over a year for my legs to feel better. I was taken off all my medication directly after surgery and this SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DONE. I was on diuretics and anti-depression medication. I suffered weight gain, severe high blood pressure (221/112) and a major anxiety attack because of it...not to mention the problems with my legs. I blew up like a balloon.

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 excited to be losing the weight - yet totally depressed. I had been suddenly taken off meds that I had been on for years and I took a total dive into depression. It was a very difficult time for me. While others were praising the benefits of surgery - I was miserable. It took me a very long time to come to terms with all of it (of course losing all this weight helped in that department)...and I'm still now sure I'm 100% sold on everything.

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

I was in a lot of pain. I was very nervous and had a few complications. I ended up in the hospital two times within the first two weeks. Anything can happen during this time. Some people sail right through it - others don't. Try and not get too caught up in the "bad" side of things...just relax and think about the "new" you.

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

12 miles.

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 a very difficult time tolerating chicken for the longest time. Actually - over a year before I could eat it and keep it down. It was odd - because beef stayed down better. I still have issues with pork. I think it's too dense. I can eat just about everything now - with the exception of Chinese food and ice cream. I can eat sherbet and some frozen yogurt - but not always. The funniest thing is that my cravings have totally changed. Before surgery I would hardly ever eat cereal, peanut butter, drink tea. Now - I love those things and have a hard time getting down salads, mushrooms, and some proteins (pork).

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

SLOW - I had to force myself to walk around the house (I had surgery in January and I live in the Northeast)...

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

Flinstones Complete and B-12.

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?

hair loss was the worse...becuase I had thin hair to begin with - it was pathetic 6 - 10 monts after surgery. I just said, the "hell" with it and kept going.

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

Not having food to comfort me. I've always substituted food for love, friendship, companionship, lonliness, etc. When I could no longer do that - I was totally lost and didn't know how to cope. It's been a "real" adventure.

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

I was involved in a small group that disbanded within a year of my surgery. I asked the doctor's office if they were planning on having a post op support group - and that was not on their agenda. I'm still looking for a support group - because even though I'm 2 years post op - I'm facing different challenges with my weight now and I would really like to get involved with a group locally. I think support groups are critical. I only wish I could have been involved with one right after surgery.

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

Fine - no issues.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I basically lost all the weight I've lost so far in the first nine months following surgery. I've basically maintained my weight loss for over a year. I am THRILLED about that. I was never able to maintain my weight at any level for more than 2 days. I am experiencing a bit of a plateau now and need to remotivate myself and get back to the basics.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Sometimes - more right after surgery, though. I show people (that knew me before surgery) an old picture of me - and they can't remember me looking that "bad" before. They're actually in shock, most of the time, when I show them the "old" me. I don't feel that people are judging me as much - at least over my weight now, anyhow. I can go into a public place and not feel that people are starring at me because I'm so "fat".