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

I found out about it on a TV commercial and then a packet I sent away for in the mail. I then researched it like crazy on the internet including the Mayo clinic studies and horror stories of people who regretted it. I wanted to know it all so I could decide. My initial impressions are that surgery for the sole purpose of losing weight is not a good idea. I felt that way for years until I asked myself what else could possibly work? I knew in my heart it was my last chance. I still wrestled hard, wanting to make sure that I used up all other options as I still feel it should be a last resort.

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

I have BCBS PPO and was not required to get preapproval so I am very fortunate as to not have to deal with any of that.

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

Very quick, business-like. He was very competent, distant, kind, and extremely good at what he does. He is the cheif of staff of trauma surgery at the hospital so I had my surgery done by the very best. He was very polite and kind but I wasn't shopping for a best friend, I was looking for a skilled surgeon and I found him.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When I realized that I would die within ten years after much suffering without it. My legs were huge, with sores that wouldn't heal, I was diabetic, had high blood pressure, triglycerides over 300, it was the reckoning I knew in my heart would come but tried to deny. My mental denial took quite a lot to get past but once I took a good, hard look at myself, I knew. I knew I had to do it or die. And if the surgery killed me then at least I died trying to do something to save my life instead of continuing to dig my grave with a spoon.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

It was what my surgeon does. I didn't really research other options because my surgical weight loss clinic doesn't do other types of surgery.

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 was terrified of not waking up, of being on a ventilator, etc. I am very claustrophic and was terrified of waking up with tubes in me. I was even more terrified of being only partially anesthetized and not being totally out. I have heard horror stories about this and was very scared that I would be partially conscious and no one would know it. It is funny now, I was so knocked out it took an hour or more to fully come out of it. Now I see it as normal fears about surgery and I had never had surgery before so I am sure that my fears are not out of the norm. I would tell people just to talk about your fears and to hang in there, what we fear almost never comes to pass.

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 two adult sons were very supportive and excited. They felt that this would work for me and were both very worried at how tired I looked, how heavy I'd gotten, and how young I would be when I died. My middle son talked about worrying about me and was very happy that I was going to do this. When I asked him, "what if I still die young?" he said, "At least you would have had some years of happiness." They were both at the hospital on the day of surgery and check in on me. They are very excited about my future. My significant other has been wonderful. He has helped me with all aspects of my recovery and, while having his difficult moments of stres, has done well taking care of a lot of the household things while I healed. He pushes me to walk and we talk about how we feel as we go. He is excited that I am lengthening my life and has been a saint. I have no complaints about my family and I am very fortunate.

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

My employers are two sisters who own the medical trascription company I type for. They were supportive and I had no problem with them giving me time off. They were very concerned, caring, and wished me well.

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

My hospital stay was actually pretty good. The staff at Hurley Medical Center in Flint, MI was wonderful! They waited on me hand and food and took good care of me. They say you sleep a lot, I didn't. I never do. I am not a sleeper kind of person but I was resting well and the pain was managed great with a pump that I could push myself to relieve my pain. The second day was hell, I cried and felt terrible. I got nauseous everytime I stood up and it made it hard for me to want to walk. I was never much of a walker and thank goodness I had a Greenfield filter placed so blood clots, at least the killer kind, were not an option for me. I know that walking heals you faster, but until day three I just couldn't stand walking. I went in on the 17th of December and had my surgery that day and got out the 21st. They said I was doing great. I would recommend bringing lotion and chapstick. I also brough earplugs so that I could actually get some sleep. They were a wonderful help. You don't use much else so don't bother.

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

I have two wounds that opened up after my staples were removed. I'm not dealing with them very well. I am very depressed and upset about it. I feel like a freak and just want the wounds to heal so I can enjoy my weight loss and not be obsessed and totally focussed on them. I do have a homecare nurse that comes in once a week to keep an eye on them and dress them and measure them. They have to be cleaned and packed twice a day (every 12 hours) and I hate it totally. This is not helping me love my body at all.

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 feel much better but I do struggle with the food "gerbil wheel" in my head that keeps obsessing about food. It's great that I have a tool that cannot be bypassed--in other words, If I eat what I'm thinking about, I'll throw up, flat out. That takes away a lot of fear and anxiety for me and is the reason I had this surgery.

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

You need to have someone who doesn't mind picking up things off the floor for you or one of those little metal grabbers. Seriously, if it hits the flood its history. Expect to feel tired from very little exertion and expect that you may need help every now and then. Also, expect to not be able to eat very much at all. Just stay with liquids, go easy, and follow the doctor's orders. Don't expect to be "back to normal" since you will be learning a new normal.

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

I only had to travel for about 15 minutes. I am very fortunate that my care center is only about 20 minutes from my home. It makes appointments easier but I hate the long waits to get in.

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 very little I cannot eat so far. I will not play with sugar at all. I don't want to know if I can eat it or not. I found that crab meat makes me throw up, something I dearly loved. Also, fish if it is too tough, has to be very soft and flaky- like tuna. I also ate pork roast one day and threw my socks up...too greasy I guess. I can tolerate chilli the best, solid foods are hard for me, I don't seem to remember to chew them enough. I stick with a lot of soups. Easier to eat and if I don't chew them up, they don't give me a belly ache.

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

I am not an active person and don't intend to me until my wounds heal. I have a walking at home tape I use a couple times a week that covers a mile but it is bitter cold winter and I cannot safely try to walk outside. After I have clearance, I am going to join the local health club and get some working out in. I enjoy gyms...but my wounds will keep me out of the pool for awhile :(

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

I use Optisource Vitamins. They taste like Tang and four give you all you need for the day. I love them and order them from Wallgreens.com. I cannot tolerate "shakes" of any kind...protein shakes make me gag. I drink Isopure zero carb drink, it's like a watered down kook aid or Gatoraid. Its not fabulous but I like it a lot better than shakes. 20 ounces gives you 40 grams of protein. I also use the Carb Solutions protein bars, 1 bar is 23 grams and the chocolate chip cookie dough is to die for! Only 1 gram of sugar per bar!

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?

When I first got home from the hospital the worst thing was not being able to get comfortable. My lower back hurt no matter what I did. I hated it. I used to sit and cry because I just could not feel comfortable. That went on for about a week and then I was slowly able to feel comfy again. I coped with them the way I always cope with things, swear, bitch, complain, whine, and cry :)

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

The WOUNDS! If the incision would have healed properly I would be dancing on air right now. I have lost almost 50 pounds in a little over a month but I cannot feel anything but aggrivation.

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

I have appointments at the WLS center, which I feel are of no help at all. The last time I was there the nutritionist didn't meet with me, never even asked if I was doing ok and was "too busy" to talk to me. I am about ready to seek out a professional nutritionist to guide me along the way since the WLS clinic one is too busy. We have support group that meets twice a month and while I like the socialization, I do not like the fact that no one really pours out their feelings there. It's more of a question and answer session for pre-ops. They need to split into two groups, one for pre-ops and one for post-ops. Our center is too busy and needs to consolidate some things in order to run more effectively.

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

My scar looks wonderful except for two nasty wounds that need to heal. It is NOT what I expected and I am disgusted that I have to deal with them. Thankfully my spouse helps me pack them because I feel like a monster and a freak not like the woman I want to be.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I haven't had any yet. I am astounded by my weight loss.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really but I know from talking to others that many will. Well, now I have to take that back...when I talk about weight loss surgery I get some real nasty, jealous attitudes from heavy women. I wished they knew that I am on their side not their enemy.