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

I had not really even thought about it, even after Carnie Wilson had hers. But a RN at my job had it and I seen her 6 weeks after surgery and seen her success in just that short time and knew that I had to have it done to save my life. I had no hesitations about having it done or traveling out of the country to have it done. After I got the info, I spent every hour away from work on the computer researching info on WLS and the Dr. I choose. With in 3 weeks I had a date scheduled for 2 months away.

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

I knew that there were limitations with Kaiser on the surgery and I would have to battle the insurance and then they also just did the RNY and I wanted the DS. So I choose not to even try for approval. I choose to self pay.

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

I first contact with Dr. M was an email telling him about myself and what all I have tried in the past and asking him if he would consider being my surgeon. He of coarse relpied back that he would LOVE to be my surgeon. He had his RN pick us up at the airport and he was waiting for me at the hotel and opened his arms and gave me a big hug and kiss. I met with him the next day after my testing and he told me exactly what was going to happen with the surgery and what to expect along the way and answered any questions I had.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I knew that if I did not have the surgery I was just going to get bigger and bigger and I new that I would soon start to have all the co morbidities that came with being overweight. Did not know when I may never wake up again.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After talking with the Nurse friend and her telling me all about the DS and this is the main surgery Dr. M does not. I read all the info about the differences between it and the RNY and choose this one, as it leaves you much the same after surgery, with a working stomach and pyloric valve, just everything is smaller in size.

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 never had any fears at all. I can honestly say that, even while being in the hospital the night before. I knew that if I did not have this surgery I was not far from looking at some moajor problems if not a heart attack. I remember telling Mom that if something should happen to me while I was down in Brazil or having surgery, to know that at least I died doing something to save my life and I was happy when I died. I could have easily died here from not having the surgery.

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 only had 1 person say that I should not have the surgery. Everyone else was behind me 100%. My Mom was very scared of coarse. I sent her all the info I could find on the surgery and the surgeon. Then we had a get together of pre and post op patients here in Oregon, that had Dr. M. Once she seen how they were doing, how they could eat normal foods and talk to them, it helped ease her fears tremendously. My oldest brother I guess told Mom, that I needed to do what I felt I needed to do. Also if I was that desperate to save my life, what might I do if I didn't have the surgery. (Thinking maybe suicide, even tho that was never an option.) Everyone is always asking about me and how I am doing and giving me 100% total support. Making sure I am eating right and if I ever need anything.

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

My boss was great. The group home I was working in at the time, was scheduled to close right before I had surgery, so I worked the last day there and then took a week off before I flew out. The RN worked with one of our patients, so every had seen her and how she was doing and I just told them I was going to have the same surgery and they were very supportive. I was off of work for 13 weeks, due to having to be able to lift 75 pounds upon my return to work and my Dr. did not let me lift over 10 pounds for 3 months.

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

Hospital Santa Cruz was very very clean. I had my own suite with a sitting room, off of my hospital room, with a huge outdoor balcony and a big marble bathroom. Your support person, could never have done it without my Mom. Your own PJ's, slippers. That are the main things I needed while in the hospital.

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

I was up that day walking the halls and had nothing other than the expected Seroma. That healed with in 5 weeks. Altho once home and 6 weeks post op I had eaten a bunch of peanuts and woke up the next morning with a major pain in my right rib cage area and the dry heaves. I called the Dr. and went in for a check up. They seen nothng wrong, just thought that since my gall bladder was taken out, I probably had a hard time digesting the nuts. Now at over 8 months post op, never had the problem again.

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 off of my prozac at day 3 post op and I was crying at nothing. Once back on it I was fine with my moods. I was very tired for some time. After doing just a little bit I would need to take a nap. But after several weeks and eating protein and being on my vitamins I got my strength back. I just takes time.

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

To lift nothing, expect to be real tired and need naps often. Not be able to eat much at a time and to eat often and be near a bathroom or know where one is at all times.

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

I went to Brazil from Oregon. I had my PCP from pre op agree to be my pcp after surgery and have a back up Gasto Dr. if needed. I have been in contact with Dr. M over any little problem and he is right there to offer advise and he will also contact your Dr. if needed.

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 was an avid sweets person pre op. After a week post op, on my Mom's 60th Birthday I bought a Reese's Peanutbutter Cup. I took one nibble and hated it. It tasted nasty and I paid the price with my bowels the next day. I haven't had any problems other than the peanuts, mentioned above. I just ate alot of protein, jerky, smoked salmon, tuna, cheese, deli meats after I got home and always carried a bottle of water with me. All I can say is if something does not taste good now, then give it some time before you try it again. Your taste buds do change and things you loved before will not taste good now and the opposite, things you did not like before you may like now. It is just trial and error. If is sounds good, then take a small sample and see if it still tastes good. With the Ds, you definately see the changes in the amount of food you can eat at different months post op. It is very little and very often to begin with then you can gradually eat more and less often. Just remember protein and lots of water.

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

I walked a little everyday. Visited with friends and slept. Just being awake and watching TV after the surgery will tire you out. Take time to rest and do NOT lift or over excert yourself.

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

I take a Centrum daily along with a Calcium Citrate and Iron pill daily. All labs have come back good.

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?

Never any nausea, vomited one after eating strawberries, but think my meds didn't settle on my stomach. Don't dump with the DS and hair loss started about 2.5 to 3 months post op. Just knew it was going to happen and since I have think hair it did not bother me at all. I was a pain tho having your pillow and bed covered in hair all the time. It slowed to a near stop at about 6 to 6.5 months out.

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

I can't say I really had anything that was bad. I had an epidural and got pain meds in my IV, so no real pain. Only pain was after eating the peanuts. I would have to say not having my prozac til day 3 post op. Just being so emotional was hard. And not being able to stop crying or figuring out why I was crying.

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

I have not had any support meetings since surgery. I was lucky that a gal 20 minutes from me, was having surgery the same day as me. So we always talk and support each other. Plus I am on the message board for Dr. M.

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

Scar is about 7 inches, fading, wider at the bottom, due to the seroma. I was given ointment to put on it from the plastic surgeon, but I didn't use it. I am actually very proud of my scar. I show everyone. It is what gave me life back.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have plateaud several times. Mostly my own fault from not consuming enough protein and lack of exercise. I am on one right now, but I am increasing my protein intake. shakes do help, and adding more and more water and adding my gym time back. I also have cut way back on my carbs and sugars.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I know that if they are looking at me now, it is not to say stuff about my size or if I wouldn't put that in my mouth I would not be the size I am. I know that I like myself much better, so of coarse I carry myself much better and that conveys to others the self confidence and when others see that they look at you totally different.