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

From a friend who had it done and desparately wanted it!

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

In 1985, BCBS had some restrictions----you had to be at least 100 lbs. overweight and an approval by a physician. I had surgery in June and in July of that year, they became much more strict with their requirements, I have heard. That's why I want to know if I would qualify for the newer versions, now!

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

It's been a long time, but I was impressed by his kindness. Yet, he was "tough"! Would always say, after surgery, "How much ice cream have you eaten?" It was a very good experience for me. With my twin and I having the surgery at the same time, in a small, AL hospital, it was quite an 'event'. Made friends with the technicians and kidded the staff that we should charge admission, because everyone came by to see "the twins"! We were 34 year old, fat, old maids!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My friend had it and I was at the point, as I am now, that I would do anything to lose weight and had tried everything else!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

It was the only one available that I was aware of, at the time.

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?

Hey, at that point, I was so excited about losing weight and really wanted to that I didn't care about anything else. As now, if I can't lose some weight, I had just as soon not live.

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 mother was still alive at the time and supported me. But, the day after surgery, upon seeing both of her daughters in pain and etc., she said that had she know what it would be like, she wouldn't have wanted us to do it. But, immediately, after seeing how happy we were with the surgery and how well we were doing, she was completely supportive, as was everyone I knew!

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

Because I taught school, at the time, and had the surgery during summer vacation, that wasn't a problem. My principal and co-workers were very supportive and happy for me.

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

Wow, too long to remember, except to say that the staff was wonderful and overall a good experience! Having someone there with you makes it much easier. I believe I was in the hospital for 4 days????/

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

I had a kidney infection, but it was cleared up shortly. Had a bit of trouble with the staff clearing my breathing tube right after surgery, but my surgeon took care of that immediately-----could hear him chastizing the nurses.

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

The only bad part was that I got out of the hospital right before the 4th of July and just about died when everyone was barbequeing and I wasn't able to eat any! It was tough. I just took a walk and ate my mashed up vienna sausages with potato chips!

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

Expect to be hungry and want food! Also, expect to be very frustrated that you can't eat things you enjoyed before, but with the weight loss, it soon becomes okay!

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

About 150 miles, but I had a place rented for the summer, so it wasn't that big of a problem. Once school started back, it was a bit of a problem to make it to the appointments, but our surgeon was very cooperative and understanding.

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 just couldn't go the baby food route, so I made my own menu-----vienna sausages (2) mashed up with mayonaise and cracker or potato chips. Lived on that for several weeks. Then it got to where I could eat almost anything, in small amounts, if I chewed it well. Had problems for a long time with pasta, bread and beef. But, I learned that if I chewed things well, it wasn't that much of a problem.

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

I was required to start walking and in 2 weeks to be up to 2 miles a day. I kept that up for about 2 years and became slack about doing it!

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

My Dr. prescribed 2 Flinstone vitamins a day after surgery and I still take 4 a day, whether they do any good or not, I don't know!

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 throwing up was frustrating, but I learned to deal with it. Of course, I hear that it's different now. I did have hair loss, due to anethesia, too.

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

Stretching my 'ring' and gaining weight! I hate it!

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

I didn't have any group support. About a year later, the Dr. office called me to inform me of a group that had started, but due to the distance, I was unable to participate. I now think that it would have been very helpful, as there was not that much know about the gastroplasty then, and others that had had the procedure could have helped one another.

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

It runs from my breastbone to my naval. Yes, it is what expected. My twin sister's isn't as bad, because I lifted things and stretched mine, so it's wider than her's. My stupidity! :o)

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Did reach a plateau, but with the endoscopy, am not sure which is applicable or had more of an effect.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I adored being 168 lbs. I married and had more self confidence than I had ever had in my life! Want it done again and wish I could find the answers I need-----whether it can be done on me, again, or not, whether my insurance would pay for it and where I can have it done!