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

I read an article in the local newspaper about a lady that had it done a year previously. I didn't know anything about the surgery but I immediatly called the doctor referred to in the article and scheduled an appointment for the following week.

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

I had not problems getting the approval from surgery. I knew that my primary would not cover but was confident that my husband's (Aetna) would. It only took about 3 weeks total to get the denial from the primary and approval from the secondary.

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

All the staff in Dr. Otteman's office made my husband and I feel very comfortable. We first talked with his nurse and watched a short video about the surgery. We then talked to her some more before the doctor came in. He immediately set me at ease, answered all our questions in detail. From there we went right over to the insurance area and the ball was rolling from there for the approval.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I felt that it was my last hope and I desperately wanted to be a thinner and healthier person.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I had the surgery that Dr. Otteman recommended.

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 had 7 previous surgeries so I was not afraid of the actual surgery. My grown children were very worried for me but I told them that if I was to die during surgery at least it was doing something I had chosen to do to make myself a healtier person.

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?

For the most part my family and friends have been very supportive of this. The people who thought I had lost my mind for doing this have changed their attitudes and support me every day. One year after surgery my family have been wonderful. They have seen a huge change in my looks and personality and are very happy for me.

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

I had only been employed with this company for 7 months. I explained to my boss what I was going to do and had already tentatively scheduled a surgery date 3 weeks away. He was very supportive and told me just to keep him informed and take as much time off as needed. I did go back to work part time in 3 weeks and full time at 6 weeks.

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

The hospital staff would definately be rated at an A+. I had surgery on Thursday morning and was out of the hospital on Monday morning. I would suggest that the patient bring their own pillow, lotion and toothbrush.

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

I can't remember any complications.

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 only had 5 weeks total from my initial consultation until I had surgery. I was anxious to get it over with and get on with the rest of my life.

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

The first week home from the hospital was horrible. I could not get comfortable on any chair, couch or bed. My first meal at home I managed to get something stuck and I thought I was going to die it hurt so bad, but it came back up shortly thereafter I felt better. I was not a fast learner and I would forget to eat slowly, or have very small bites and I would gulp my food down as I had previously and I would pay dearly for it. I am very lucky in that my mother lives with us and so I had live in help which probably helped me get on my feet faster. She had me out and about every day if only for an hour to the grocery store so I could get a little exercise.

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

The hospital is only 30 miles from my home.

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 have not been able to tolerate red meat and now 7 months after surgery that has not changed. I can tolerate a small amount of sugar like a childs vanilla ice cream cone. Before surgery I could live on chocolate, bread and pasta. Since surgery I cannot eat chocolate and I eat very little carbohydrates. By the time I get my protein in throughout the day I am too full to eat anything else. Every now and then I get a craving for something chocolate, eat it, and feel sick to my stomach afterwards. As the months go on I crave it less and less. One year post-op and I still have a hard time tolerating red meat. I have adapted to it and eat chicken and fish instead.

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

I am terrible at exercise, but I am more active and not sitting in front of the T.V. anymore. I will park the car at the end of the parking lot now and walk the distance instead of having my husband drop me off in front. Before surgery I could barely walk 2 blocks without being exhausted, now after one year I can walk over 2 miles at a steady pace and don't come home and collapse.

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

Each day I take a B-12 dot, B complex, 2 gel multiple capsules, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and 4 Tums.

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?

Nausia and vomiting a lot in the first few weeks. I did experience hair loss at about 4 months out but I knew I was not getting enough protein and have since then fixed that problem.

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

The vomiting and dumping.

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

We have a support group that meets once a month. It is very helpful for me to learn how to cope with the ups and downs of this surgery.

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

5" still bright pink but fading. It is actually smaller than I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I would lose maybe 2 weeks and then maintain for about 2 weeks. Now after one year the weight is coming off extremely slow, but my body is shifting and I am losing inches.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, I get treated like a normal every day person.