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

That's hard to answer. I believe I learned about surgery for weight loss long before it was called bariatric surgery. I remember hearing about stomach stapling atleast 30 years ago. It seemed so very strange, risky and almost unattainable. It was most definitely considered "for really fat people" and not me. More recently, within the past 6 or 7 years, I went through it with my sister and studied the procedures on the internet.

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

My experience was a breeze from my first visit to my surgery date. I was covered by a very proactive insurance company, Kaiser Permanente of California. This company supports the procedure 100% for those candidates who are morbidly obese with co-morbidities, such as in my case. My sister-in-law, on the other hand, fought for a couple of years before she was finally approved. I do not recall her company name; she works for St. Luke's Medical Center in K.C., Missouri.

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

My first meeting with my surgeon was very stilted actually. He does so many surgeries that I believe I was just another number...or morbidly obese female. He was pleasant but not too personal. That was just fine with me because I did a great deal of research before making my decision. I would encourage every prospective WLS patient to spend a great deal of time reading about the procedure, talking with those who have had the surgery and going through all of the hoops required for success.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I recognized that at 57 years old, it was highly unlikely that I would be able to lose a sufficient amount of weight to become healthy again. It was a desperate measure for a desperate person. I wanted to live happier and healthier in a smaller body. I knew it was the only answer. My intellect told me that....not a doctor...not another person....just me and my own brain.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

It was a no-brainer! The Roux En Y laparoscopically was quick, least restrictive and most successful. That's what my research told me. I wanted a semi-permanent solution and I believed this procedure offered me what I wanted. So far, I am most happy.

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?

The fears of any hospitalizations are normal. I realized that I would be scared and I was scared before going under the anesthesia. It was well worth my fear for the result. Being as desperate as I believed that I had become, no fears were as great as the fear and misery of living as a morbidly obese person forever. I would tell those who are fearful to weigh the odds after doing the research. Fear should never stop someone from doing what is needed to live a better...more importantly a healthier life. Surgery is not the worst thing to be afraid of as a fat person.

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?

Everyone in my family was highly supportive. My sister and my sister-in-law had their surgeries successfully. Many of my friends and co-workers expressed their reservations as they did not see me as a miserably obese person. They were fearful for me, that it was too drastic and should be reserved for people worse off than me. Now everyone that sees me is amazed and proud of me and for me. They now comment that I need to stop losing..."you look wonderful". I need to lose another 25 lbs. to have a "normal" BMI.

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

My employer and supervisor were very supportive for the most part. They are in the healthcare arena and understood my desire for a healthier life. Time off was about 2 weeks as required by my surgeon, however, I worked at home easily during those two weeks.

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

I was in the South San Franciscon hospital. Care was super! I had a year of classes and visits prior to the day of surgery to prepare me, which was an excellent part of the program. All questions were asked and answered before the surgery including a tour of the surgery area. We were "required" to stay overnight in a nearby hotel so that there would be no reason that we would be late on the day of surgery. I went in the morning on the day of surgery and went home the next day after no complications with laparoscopic RNY. Amazing!

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

Absolutely complication free! Amazing!

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 excited, fearful and anxious. I stayed very busy with work. I exercised and talked with family and friends. My immediate family could not be there with me the day of surgery so I brought a great friend. I was never alone.

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

Everyone will have their own unique experiences and this should be emphasized by the health care professionals. No two births are the same...likewise, no two surgery experiences will be identical. My experience was without any of the complications that I read about. I was, however, very glad that I was informed of what the potential complications might have been. I read and read...attended class after class and numerous support groups. I believe that patients should expect a little period of adjustment to new habits of eating, exercising, etc. That's a given. I believe that patients should expect that some of what they read may be common to their experience. I believe that the patient should be informed of resources to answer questions about their experiences. Obesityhelp.com is a God Send. Patients help each other with the chats online.

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

I traveled around 96 miles from Sacramento to South San Francisco. No problem for me. Travel is fun for me. I had no problems with aftercare as I had made the trip many times in preparation for surgery day. It's all in the mind set. If you don't mind...it don't matter!

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 strictly adhered to the recommendations of my professional team about eating...what and how much. Everything went as predictied. I ate liquids only for a couple of days and then soft. I started eating things like mashed potatoes, jello, puddings (sugar free) within about 2 weeks as I recall. I do remember trying some fish at a restaurant one day and experiencing a "dumping" episode. I learned immediately that cooking oil...this particular one...was not my friend. I have since learned that chocolate...sugars and a few other items cause gas and unpleasant flatulence. I ate a bite of very dry breakfast sausage once and vomited...mostly frothy content...some blood...very ugly moment. Meat is difficult if it's dry....especially beef. Chicken, turkey and fish are friendly foods. I have tried about everything since surgery that I ate before surgery. I have had very few incidents of discomfort except for getting too full sometimes and gas. I fear the future if I lose control of my eating as I still have some old thinking and habits to fight. I still love food.

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

I protected myself in the first month after surgery with no lifting and gentle exercise...walking. As the pounds came off my energy level increased. I am 15 mos post op and I have as much energy or more than I did 25 years ago in my 30's. I am so happy for this rejuvenation.

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

I have been perfect in following the recommendations for vitamin supplements. I take 1800 mg. of calcium/D, a multi-vitamin daily and a B12 sublingually once a week. My GP has ordered actonel once a month since my bone density exam recently showed some loss. I am fine with all of this. I am 58 yrs. old.

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 have had a couple of episodes of dumping since my surgery 15 months ago. It was very unpleasant for about 30-45 minutes. I learned from the experiences and accept what I need to do to avoid them in the future. I vomited one time and that was early on and caused by a poor food choice...dry sausage. I have had a minimal amount of hair loss and I can live with the new look. I take my vitamins religiously and feel that I will be just fine. The truth is I have fewer discomforts since surgery than I had as a fat person...overeating, gorging, eating the wrong/non-nutritional foods, etc. was much worse than any of the after effects of WLS.

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

Truthfully, the worst part is waiting for the day! I regret nothing about any part of my WLS experience. I am currently working to provide the funds for my two adult children to have the surgery now at ages 30 and 36. It is a medical tool to assure a better life for those who have the disease of obesity. I know that it is the best solution to a growing health issue throughout the world. The insurance industry needs to wake up and see the future and fund this life-saving procedure now.

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

Immediately following surgery I attended a couple of support groups. I truly enjoyed the chats with others and learned a great deal. I moved across states and have been dependent recently on internet support. This is quite good also. I seek what I need to stay on track. Support is critical to success and good health long-term. Obesity is a disease with a very significant behavioral component. The support groups help to keep patients on track in my opinion.

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

My surgery was done laparoscopically and I have 5 little lines that are rapidly fading. I am not one that scars badly anyway, but these scars are even surprising me as to how quickly they are fading.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

There have been a number of weeks over the past 15 months when I did not lose. It bothered me a great deal. I still have some guilt that I should lose more. I talked with my GP about it and he encouraged me to continue to follow my plan...water, measured amounts of the nutritional requirements and exercise. I am weak and still backslide into old habits...but I am conscious of all I am doing and will continue to stay on track. I weigh often and I do not plan to gain ever. My plateaus were short-lived and I was able to "kick start" my losses with increased water intake...mostly protein intake and more exercise.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

There is a tremendous difference in the way strangerse treat me. I see the expressions on people's faces...approval of a nice physical presentation. I get complements on my clothes, my hair, overall look, etc. Men notice me. I am told that I am "pretty". It's all about the physical. I am also different in the way I feel about my look. I feel "prettier" and I am sure I carry myself more proudly. I believe that I get more respect as a thinner person. People smile more at me.