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

I was working in a hospital, and a friend of my mom's stopped by to see me. I had not seen her for a few years, remembering her as a rotund woman, always trying one diet or another. Well, when I looked up at hearing her voice, she was thin! I went home and told my mom that her dear friend mu have cancer because of her "gaunt" appearance. My mom laughed and told me that she had had WLS. This was probably in 1982. We had had a friend who had had an intestinal bypass in the 1970's, but this was only for those who weighed over 500# at the time.

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

I had no trouble with insurance approval, either for the initial surgery in 1984 or the two revisions (1986, 2001). For the first surgery I had BlueCross of GA and Champus. For the second I had the same. For the last surgery, I had Aetna US Healthcare.

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

I had many questions for the doctor, as did my husband. I had done my research, and had already had 2 previous bariatric procedures, but my husband was new to this. My advice to someone planning to have surgery is "Do your research". Look up the doctor on the state medical licensing board. Talk to others who have used him. Write your questions down - or you will forget them in the office.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

In 1984, I weighed 312. I was 27, had tried every diet in the book - and then some. It was a last resort.

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

I have had three bariatric surgeries... My first experience was in 1984. I had vertical gastric banding done. I was my surgeon's 7th patient for this procedure. I remember vaguely the ng tube, the "dolly" holding my stomach down and together. The second surgery (1986) was to revise the first one - the ng tube, the dolly. My surgeon allowed me to shower while I was in the hospital. I started my period three days post op. The third surgery was 5/18/01. After suffering with nausea, vomitting, GERD for almost 17 years, I finally decided to have this surgery revised once again to a gastric bypass. I was in the hospital for a total of 5 days, 2 in SICU (my surgeon routinely puts his patients in ICU post op). The ng tube was not bad. I did not have a morphine pump for the other surgeries - it was a G-d send for this one. This hospital has a dedicated bariatric surgery unit, so the nurses are skilled in our needs. I did not need most of what I brought. An oversized robe, slippers and perfumed body lotion were my most treasured things.

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

I had an allergic reaction to the last IV antibiotic - benadryl every four hours for four days until it subsided. I have had two incisional site abscesses two months post op. The first one required antibiotics. The second one will probably require them as well.

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 relieved to finally make the decision to revise the old surgeries. I was experiencing daily nausea, vomitting, GERD - and was glad to know it would be over soon.

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

I slept 20 hours a day for the first week. By week 2, I wanted the g-tube OUT! By week three, I was walking 0.5 miles per day, and began swimming week four. I did not push myself, only did what I felt able to do. I still have little engergy.

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

My surgeon was 120 miles away. I have not been able to attend his support groups. I keep regular appointments with him. I use the internet bulletin boards for support, encouragement and ideas.

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.

While in the hospital, I was given one day of clear liquids, one day of full liquids and by day four post op, I was given solid food - fish and chicken. At home, I have been on a high protein/no carb diet, solid food as tolerated. Of course, I tested the "don't" list - chips, chocolate. I was miserable for over six hours with gas, diarrhea, "dumping". The same happens with fatty foods.

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

By week three I was walking 0.5 miles daily. Week four I started swimming for 20 minutes a day. I wish I had more energy, but I am makingi t.

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

I take a "complete" children's chewable vitamin and a calcium supplement.

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 guess dumping has been the most troublesome. Itry to avoid foods that cause this now. To cope with it, I would have to lie down for 30-40 minutes. The hair loss is expected and I am eating enough protein to resolve that soon. I occassionally experience dumping if I eat too fast. The most troublesome has been not being able to drink enough to maintain hydration. I have to really try hard to drink enough. If I do not get enough fluids, I get very dizzy.

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

I intend to attend the support group in my home town - but it is only once a month and I did not use the local surgeon. I have been using the internet boards for support, encouragement, suggestions. I wish that there was a weekly support group for us here!

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

Because I have had 2 incisional abscesses, my scar looks pretty nasty right now. It had healed up nicely, but then these things erupted at week 7 and 9. I had never had an abscess before with the two previous surgeries, gallbladder surgery or hysterectomy.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have not yet had a plateau.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, to some extent. When I fist had surgey in 1984, I dropped 100 pounds in three months. People that would not give me the time of day before, were treating me like an old friend. This made me extremely angry - I was the same person inside that I had always been. This time has been a little different. I was not allowed to go to work for 2 months, and had dropped 50# in that time. People did not make a big fuss over it, and have always treated me decently anyway.