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

I first found out about it five or six years ago, when my cousins had it done. At the time, I felt it was far too invasive. As my weight continued to climb, and I was unsuccessful with various diets, however, it became more of an option. Finally, it became the only option available to save my life.

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

I didn't get approved for my surgery; it was a self-pay. I started out being denied by one insurance carrier (IHC), then switched jobs and found myself battling another (ValueCare). Finally, there was just no more time to wait.

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

I originally met with Dr. Smith, who was very helpful in explaining the procedure. I took a list of questions with me, and he took the time to answer it. They had a video for me to watch, and also did a lot of tests to ensure that I was a good candidate. My advice would be to take in a list of questions, and don't leave until they're all answered to your satisfaction. Due to scheduling circumstances, I ended up with Dr. Halverson doing my surgery, and I met with him a couple of weeks prior to my surgery date. I had a whole new list of questions for him, and he answered every one.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had come to a place in my life where I didn't HAVE a life. Finally, after talking with my mother and family, I reached the conclusion that the only way I would ever be able to do the things that I wanted to do was through this surgery.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I did a lot of research on my own (predominantly on the web), and talked with Dr. Smith and Dr. Halverson about it. Laproscopy was out of the question due not only to my size, but also due to a previous abdominal 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 have had several surgeries, and to be honest, I wasn't that worried about the surgery itself. I was actually prepared for more pain than there was, so that was a pleasant surprise. I guess that my biggest fears, which came to a peak about 5 minutes before I was wheeled down to the room, were emotional ones. The idea of not having that comfort that food always provided, not having a ready excuse of "it's because of my weight" when I didn't get a job I wanted, or a relationship didn't work out, that sort of thing. I also worried that I wouldn't be strong enough to make it work. For people considering the surgery, I'll tell you that there are definite emotional issues tied to it, and you need to consider those things long and hard before having the surgery. You have to make up your mind that this is the right decision for you.

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?

Overall, my family and friends were very supportive. They knew my physical and emotional battles that came with being heavy, they knew that it was something I had researched for literally years, and also believed that this was the answer. My sister had some problems with it initially as she is a GI nurse and only ever saw patients who had problems with the procedure. But she researched it too, and like me, came to the conclusion that the risk of my being overweight was far greater than the risks of the surgery. Everyone was great before the surgery, and have been incredibly supportive in the months since.

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

My bosses were very supportive. I think that they realized that it would make me healthier and more productive in the long run. I was out about two weeks or so, and when I set my surgery date, made the most of weekends and holidays to extend the recovery time. I probably could have gone back even sooner--I felt fine.

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

My stay in the hospital was fine. The nurses were great, and with the exception of the call button not getting hooked in right (resulting in my having to call the hospital's main number and have them ring the nurse's station) were great at meeting my needs. They were also very supportive of the surgery, and kept my spirits up. The most important things to bring are a robe to cover up when you're out on your many walks in the hallway, something to read, and a supportive friend or family member to help you through it.

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

I didn't really have a lot of complications right after surgery. The one problem that I did have was diarrhea a few days after I was home, but at the doctor's instruction, took some Immodium to settle things down. After that, I usually felt okay.

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 had some post-op depression, and had some pretty harsh cravings. Sometimes I had a pity party about not being able to eat what my family was having, but it wasn't because it was hungry--I just wanted the food. The smell of toast nearly drove me over the edge. Finally, after discussing it with my doctor, he basically said that I needed to look at the big picture--was my health more important than a piece of toast? For some reason I was also worried that when I went in for my first weigh-in at my two-week check up that I wouldn't have lost anything. Seeing the scale reading 29.6 pounds lighter quieted that worry.

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

I was pretty tired after my surgery, and there was some discomfort around my incision. At first it was daunting to go for walks, but it felt great afterwards and the fresh air helped pep me up. My mother stayed with me during the recovery, and just made sure that I got a lot of rest, took my vitamins, and went for regular strolls. My strength came back gradually, and I was able to do a little more each day.

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

The hospital where I had my surgery is about a mile from my house, so there haven't been any problems.

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.

Initially, it was soft foods like yogurt, eggs and soups. I also fell in love with Taco Bell's Pintos and Cheese, which fed me three times for 89 cents. I'm 11 weeks out now, and prefer to eat baked or broiled fish like salmon or catfish. I've stuck to the lists that the doctors gave me, but except for the thin-sliced deli meats, I'm having a hard time with meat right now. Sometimes I can eat some chicken, provided it's not dry. One no-no for me was lettuce--it gave me dumping syndrome, and I have NEVER felt that awful in my life.

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

Initially, a stroll around my house exhausted me. I started gradually walking more and more--first out to the mailbox and back (stopping to rest), then around my apartment complex, then through the neighborhood. I also try to get up more at work, take the stairs more often, and part further away from my office to get in some extra excercise. Two weeks ago I joined a gym, and have been doing treadmill and other cardio. I'm now starting resistance training as well.

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

I take two Flintstone's Completes a day, and use TUMS as my calcium because I can chew them. Eventually I'll go to Calcitrate and other types of vitamins. I'm just starting to take iron.

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?

Vomiting! I had no problem with it until about four weeks after the surgery, and it's usually meat that will do it to me. I've really had to watch portions, and not drink water for at least 30-45 minutes after eating. It's also not as bad when I take 30+ minutes to eat instead of just grabbing something on the go. For now, usually will stick to fish instead of eating meat, and I am working with my doctor to correct that problem.

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

For me, it was definitely the emotional part. There really is almost a grieving or mourning stage, like you've lost your best friend. At first, it was hard for me to watch other people eat the foods that I had always loved. Sometimes, when I'm tired or worn out after a long day, I'll want something sweet or comforting, but I'm to the point now where it's a lot easier to stop concentrating on it. Right now, my problem is remembering to eat. I'm NEVER hungry, and so sometimes I'll get to the end of the day and realize that I haven't had anything. NOT a good idea.

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

I go to support group meetings once a month at the hospital, which has been helpful for me. I went to one right before my surgery, and they were able to answer a lot of my questions. Since then, I feel that it's given me a boost when I go, and that I'm able to help others as well.

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

My scar goes from my breastbone to my belly button. I had abdominal surgery before, and they used the same incision line, so for me, nothing's really changed.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I did slow down a little bit a couple of weeks ago, which I think was a result of eating too much salt, not drinking enough water, and because of where I was in my menstrual cycle. I dropped my salt intake, boosted my water, and the weight started falling off again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, but I think that it's because of the way that I feel about myself. I feel pretty again, and I have more confidence. I'm starting to believe that some people's reaction to me before my surgery was less of how they perceived me than how I perceived myself.