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

I first heard of bariatric surgery when Carnie Wilson had it. I remember thinking how awful it was that she would have to do something so radical...That was a year or so before I considered it myself. Obesity Help.com was the first website I really researched and I was really impressed by the success stories and pictures. Even people who went thru a difficult surgery were still happy they did it and would do it again. Thats pretty impressive and gave me lots of hope for myself.

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

Be prepared. Do your homework and research. Have you family's support, your doctor's support and be persistent. Even while on vacation in Maui I was on the phone to my Insurance rep at work, My PCP's office and to the surgeon's office working out details. Then, the day I returned home from vacation, I recvd a call saying the surgeon could get me in the following week! I was thrilled!

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

The same day, I went to the office for a consultation, I also went to the seminar he offered. It was really informative and just re-enforced my decision to have this surgery done asap. I didn't get to meet him personally that day - I met with his assistant who was great.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Feelings of hopelessness and depression about my size - the more research I did, the more confidence I had - this website (WLS) was really instrumental in making the final decision for me. The before and after pictures were so inspirational!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Lots of research. Most of the people that seemed happiest with their surgeries had the lap, rny.

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?

Very little. I'd rather die trying then from complications from being overweight.

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 family was a little hesitant- my sig. other was worried at first but after I shared alot of information with her, she was all for it. She's been really very supportive and I couldn't have done it as smoothly without her. My family is now also supportive. My work mates are great - they are always telling me how good I look and they've never made me feel weird about this decision. At first they had a lot of questions, but I've always been very open with them and now they feel comfortable asking me anything. Several people at work are about to have the same surgery now!

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

I was out for 6 weeks and my employer, was fine with it. I would have taken more time if I could have afforded it. Going back to work makes it easier to get back to life as normal tho - so it was good to go back.

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

The nurses were great - the hospital stay was horrible tho - I hated the IV and not being able to go to the bathroom without help etc...hated the foot pumps - for circulation - I couldn't sleep! I was there for 2 nights and out the morning of the 3rd day. But it's such a short time, I would go thru it all again to get to where I am today! People always say they would bring this or that - all you do is hang out in the horribly uncomfortable bed or walk around the halls. I don't know what you could bring besides toothbrush. Maybe some slippers.

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

N/A

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 sore for a couple of weeks, but I didn't take anything but tylenol. I felt great. I did what my doctor suggested and followed his diet plan. Everything was great until I ate too fast or tried something that didn't agree with me. I was pretty careful - I've never dumped (it's been 8 months) - a few times it felt like something was stuck - I would vomit for awhile then felt better - the vomiting isn't a big deal because you have so little to vomit. It's just uncomfortable for a little while.

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

Take it easy on yourself. Don't push the food. Take lots of short walks and take advantage of this recovery period to just take very good care of yourself. This is the beginning of a new life. Enjoy every minute of it!

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

I had my surgery in Fresno which is 3 hours away from Soquel. I wish Dr. Felix's office was closer so I could take advantage of their groups and meetings. I've been going to my PCP for follow-up visits and since I don't have any problems, I just make a call to Dr. Felix's assistant and check-in with her over the phone ever so often.

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.

The first couple of weeks on was on soft foods like jello, soft boiled eggs, cream of wheat, oatmeal, mashed potatoes, popcicles and protein drinks. Then I graduated to baby foods and cottage cheese, yogurt, fish, steamed vegies, chicken thighs - anything really moist and soft. I had problems with crab - but now a little is ok - like in sushi. I could really tell week by week how I could add more and more foods and variety. Now (8 months out) I can have just about anything I want. I just have a little of it. I remember the first time I could eat an apple and carrots - ummmmm. You just don't know how good things taste until you haven't had them for awhile!

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

At first I just walked about the hotel room. After the second day I walked up and down the halls of the hotel first once then I worked up to several times (oh boy). When I came home I walked up and down the street - I didn't go too far for at least 3 weeks. Then I went to the beach and walked about 1 mile and now we're walking 6 miles! I walk at least 3 - 4 times a week.

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

I take a multivitamin (without Iron) and calcium every day.

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've never slept better - the hair loss was less then I expected - I think because I've really tried to get as much protein as possible in me every day. I've never dumped (I'm careful not to push myself on sugars or fat) - nausia happens but very seldom and vomiting occured for the first couple of months when I was still adjusting but I haven't vomited for 4 or 5 months now (8 months post-op)

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

The worst part was probably my hospital stay. Good hospital, but it was very uncomfortable and I couldn't wait to get out!

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

I've been to one aftercare group - It was interesting but I don't feel it's necessary (for me).

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

I had the lap. rny - little scars - they match my gallbladder removal scars and are fading nicely -

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I plateau all the time! Seems like every couple of pounds I'll stay for awhile - I get to one weight, go up and down a couple of pounds then one day I go down 3 pounds. Then up and down, then 3 more pounds. As long as I keep heading down, I don't really care.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I don't know if they treat me differently or if I just feel differently about myself - hard to say. I feel like a blend in now though - I don't always feel like the huge one wherever I am.