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

I found out about about bariatric surgery when I read a Women's World magazine while I was on vacation. The article was about a woman who had had the surgery and was very successful. I wanted to feel that way, too. I found out all I could about the surgery and decided that it was for me.

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

My insurance company required that I have three tests before they approved my surgery. They were an EKG, a Thyroid Profile, and a Psychiatric Evaluation. My advice is to go ahead and have those tests done because approval time is so short when the surgeon can send in those test results with the approval request.

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

My first visit with Dr. Stahl was very informative. There were papers to fill out of course, but Dr. Stahl seems very competent. He really knows what he is talking about. Be sure that you have all your questions written down when you talk with him or you might forget something. I walked away having every confidence in the world in Dr. Stahl.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I finally decided to have the surgery when I logged onto a support group website and I read all the wonderful things the people had to say about the surgery. I felt this was my chance to end the vicious cycle once and for all. Plus I get to enjoy playing with my little girls without just being absolutely worn out.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After I talked with Dr. Stahl, I let him decide what procedure would be best. I am not familiar enough with surgical procedures to decide that on my own.

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 had some fears about the complications from surgery; but, those complications come with all surgeries. I have prayed about it and I know that the Lord is watching over me and I'm going to be just fine.

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?

At first my family and friends were astonished that I would even consider having the surgery. But I convinced them that it was the only way that I was ever going to be normal again. My husband and immediate family and closest friends are very supportive of me now. They are all praying for me as well. I would not communicate anything any differently to convince them because I supplied them with all the information that I had.

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

Fortunately, my supervisor is also my best friend. She was very supportive although a little nervous for me. I plan to be out of work atleast three weeks. She said just to take care of myself and take as long as I needed to recover and not to rush back if I wasn't able.

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

I was in the hospital for four days. All the nurses and aides were very kind and helpful, so was my doctor. I was hooked up to a morphine pump for three days of my stay. They removed that late in the afternoon of the third day and then gave me Lortab for pain. They had me up walking on the second day. I had no tubes in my stomach or nose. They had oxygen there if I needed it. I was not allowed to eat or drink anything for the first two days. They did give me ice chips and that was enough. After that, I was put on a clear liquid diet but could barely eat anything that was on my plate because I was not hungry. I really did not need anything special while I was at the hospital because they provided anything that I needed.

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

The only complication that I had from the surgery was that for a few days afterwards I was unable to lie flat in bed to sleep. I felt like I could not get enough air. I wound up either sleeping propped up on four pillows or sleeping in a chair. After about a week after surgery I was finally able to get a good night's sleep in my bed without all the pillows. I think that my body was not used to the morphine that I was given in the hospital and it took me a while to get over it.

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 felt excited. I couldn't wait to have my surgery and be on my way to being thinner.

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

I am only four weeks postop but the biggest adjustment for me has been to eat slowly and chew my food many times.

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

I traveled approximately 60 miles for my surgery. My doctor is located in the building adjacent to the hospital so I had to return the same amount of miles for my one week check up. The nurses from his office called me at least two or three times a week for the first two weeks to make sure that I was doing well.

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 things I have been able to eat since my surgery are: sugar-free fudgesicles and popsicles, all the "cream of" soups, waffles, sugar-free hot chocolate, mashed potatoes with gravy, chicken (cut up in very small bites), water, unsweetened tea. The things I have been unable to tolerate is: sugar, carbonated beverages of any kind (they don't even taste good to me anymore), spaghetti. I sure there will be more but since I am only four weeks post op I haven't ventured out much.

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

At four weeks post op, I have returned to work this week full-time. I started back to work last week only working half days. My energy is finally picking back up. I don't go home everyday and have to have a nap now. At six days post op I was shopping with my daughter. I was not allowed to drive until my one week check up. I sleep pretty good at night but still do not want to get up early in the mornings to go to work whereas before surgery, it did not bother me at all to get up early.

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

I am on a woman's one a day vitamin with iron every day plus I take a calcium supplement with vitamin D.

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?

So far the only side effect that I have actually had is the sleep disturbance. That was most definately worse. It persisted until after about a week after surgery. I propped on four pillows in the bed or slept in a chair. Still there were times that I felt that I could not catch my breath. I got a body pillow and hugged it as tight as I could to my chest and I was able to sleep that way but I would still wake up drenched with sweat.

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

The worst part of the entire bariatric surgery process was being hooked up to an IV. That bothered me more than anything.

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

I am not in any type of aftercare support group. I talk with one of my friends who had the surgery nine weeks before I did and that helps. Plus I go to this website and read and that helps also.

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

My scar is approximately 10 inches long. My doctor used glue instead of staples or sutures on my incision so the scar is not bad at all. At four weeks postop I only have two little scabs left to come off. I did not expect my incision to heal this well.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

At 2 1/2 months post op I have yet to reach a plateau. I am losing approximately 6 to 7 pounds a week.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

The only difference in the way people are treating me so far is that they are so eager to find out how much I have lost and to tell me how wonderful I look. That is not so bad!