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

Throughout the years I ignored it and thought of it as a desperate solution to an internal problem. Prior to deciding to have surgery, I spoke with the mother of a student of mine. Her husband had previously had the surgery and had been successful. She encouraged me to call his doctor to get more information.

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

I was fortunate. I was approved in less than three weeks. I wish everybody had it that easy.

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

He was very informal. He showed my friend/co-worker and I some pictures and described the procedure. Our diets and other weight-loss attempts were also questioned. I suggest that people do alot of research before meeting with a doctor for the first time. Write the questions down and take somebody with you. A friend/family member in the medical field would be great.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I felt it was fate when I was approved so quickly.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Unfortunately the doctor I went to only offered open procedures. Look around before you make a final decision.

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 wasn't scared at all. I believe in fate and that it takes us where we are supposed to go and do what we are supposed to do. Quirky, I know, but that's how I feel.

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?

I was supported fully by everybody around me. My father was concerned but isn't that what parents are there for? LOL

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

I didn't tell her, however, the word got around. I teach and chose to have my surgery during the summer. When I went back in August, she asked me about what happened. She said she was proud and I was brave to do it. This came from a woman who wanted to fire me only three years prior to my having the surgery.

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

My visit went well. I was in for five days. Bring stuff to keep you occupied. Short books and magazines.

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

My tube became stuck and was in me for eight weeks, as opposed to three weeks. I went for two outpatient surgeries (both were canceled by the doctor) and two radiology procedures (both failed). One night I pulled on the tube and out it came! I had loosened on its own. Three months after my surgery, my surgeon stated something was refluxing into my old stomach. He then said he could go in later to repair it. He merely told me to contact him if I stopped losing weight. I did. He then said my esophogus was stretching (21 months after the surgery). I was referred to a specialist who said I only had acid reflux. How the two could be confused I don't know. As I write this response, I still don't know what's going on.

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 did become excited but also anxious when his office decided to no longer accept patients from my place of employment (not my insurance, mind you, but from people who work for the very large school district I teach for). I worried but everything went fine.

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

Some nausea, gas and pain where the incisions are (if you have an open procedure). I mostly had challenges with dizziness. Take care while driving if you do drive.

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

Less than 20 miles. Nothing was affected by this.

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 don't know if this is a lucky thing or not, but I've been able to eat anything and everything. I've been 21 months post-op and have never dumped, vomited or gotten ill. Nausea at times does occur, but nothing overwhelming. I did eat quite a bit less at first, but can now eat more. I still don't eat as much as I used to pre-op.

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

Slightly limited but I had the summer off. I suggest taking three to four weeks off to recuperate fully.

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

You name it, I've taken it. I am tired of children's chewables though.

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 did have nausea but no vomiting. My hair did become a little thin but I didn't need to buy a wig. Everything seemed to go back to normal when I began to gain weight back again.

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

Not seeing the success I thought I would see after having my internal organs rearranged.

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

Our physician only had a monthly group. It was too big to give personal care. He had no other support plan in place. I feel that this has contributed to my not losing all the weight I needed to lose and the weight gain that has taken place in the last four to five months. I also wish he had been more strict and "standardized" for follow-up. One month an item was off limits; the next month it was unlimited. There was no consistency to many of his practices.

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

My scar is barely visible! My body healed itself very well. I expected it to be worse.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I stopped losing about one year after the surgery and have begun gaining weight. I gained 47 pounds in four to five months. I am now 21 months post-op.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. Only at work though. I'm still morbidly obese at 317 pounds so unless someone knew me "before" and "after", I'm still another fat person.