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

While living in Florida, I met a friend at the Cleveland Clinic and was shocked at how she looked. She must have weighed about 300 lbs. Several years later, I was told she had Bariatric surgery so I called her to find out about it.I saw her and she looked absolutely amazing. There was a man at her house that also had the surgery and he convinced me I should go for it. I went to a meeting there and immediately filled out an application. Had all my appts. with the pyschologist, nurse, etc. and backed out. Then called to see the Surgeon before I went on the appts. again and could not get a call back. I then went to another Dr. who does this, got a surgery date and investigated and found out that he and his associate only had done 9 surgeries and I didn't want to be the 10th. When I moved back to Boston I went to my gastric Dr. for a colonoscopy and discussed it with him. He told me to go for it and gave me the name of a Dr. at the Beth Israel Deaconess Hosp. I called, got the application, sent it back and because I was a patient of the gastro Dr. I was taken right away and within 3 months had my surgery. My initial impression was WOW! Can I look like that. I asked a lot of questions of everyone I knew that had it..The only thing that held me back at first was fear!

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 three days. If you have sleep apnea, please bring your machine. Other than that, you really don't need anything. They give you slippers and a robe to walk in so that is not necessary. You sleep most of the time. I had a Morphin button I was to use when I had pain....I NEVER used it. Never had pain...I looked forward to my first drink, my first jello, my first cup of soup....Then I was sent home!

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

No complications....

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 lucky to have a friend who had gone through the surgery 6 months prior so she came and stayed with me during the day. I really felt fine. I did a lot of walking...Had my protein drinks which I hated and for someone who has anxiety, I didn't have it at all. I guess I was at peace with myself. Thankful that I came through the surgery as well as I did.

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

I was very tired. Slept a lot. After a few weeks, i couldn't get the protein drinks in me. I absolutely detested them. Just the thought of mixing them made me ill. I was put on tomato soup with milk and pea soup watered down. It's hard to get used to not eating, but, you are not hungry! Absolutely not! To this day, I can not eat protein bars or drink the drinks.

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

I'd say the hospital is about 35-40 miles from where I live and if it there is traffic it could take me well over an hour to get there. I had my three week appt. and would have travelled 3 hrs. to get there. It never affected my ability to make my appt. I look forward to going and seeing everyone associated with the department.

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 became lactose intolerance. Even though I am, I can eat cheese and cottage cheese which I have every morning because of the protein levels in it. To this day, (6 mo. ) I still can only eat small amounts compared to many other people at the same stage. My stomach must be very small. I eat 4-6 meals a day. I have a problem getting my protein, calories and fluids in still. I used to love peanut butter, can't look at it anymore. Sometimes I can eat eggs, other times I have a problem with them. Can not eat scrambled! I can eat chicken and beef and have a problem with fish. Everyone else can eat fish and have problems with chichen and beef. Again, everyone is different. I eat very small meals.

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

Very low. I was very tired and slept a lot. You really can't run. If I was working though, I could have gone back to work after one month. Only thing is the tiredness. Other then that, I had plenty of energy.

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

I take a chewable multi vitimin 2 times a day, viactiv (calcium) twice a day and B12 1000mg. twice a week. Make sure you take chewable vitimins because otherwise you will not get the full potential. The Dr. said you cannot get the full potential until you are around 8-9 months along even though you can swollow the pill after several months. Remember the opening to your stomach is very small so you don't want to take the chance.

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?

The first four months are the worst. I had vomiting when I was about 4 weeks out and it certainly frightened me. I didn't know what to expect. But then I learned how to force myself to vomit if I was so uncomfortable which does happen. One time I vomited for 7 hours straight. I couldn't stand, sit or lay down. I just wallked and ran to the bathroom. I called my doctor and was told that this could happen and most of the time it is a normal reaction to certain foods. (You will never eat that food again...believe me)

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

Sometimes, not being able to sit down and eat a normal meal even though you are not hungry. Going into a restaurant and eating everything on your plate.....I'm glad I can't but sometimes everything looks so good you just want to eat it all!

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

We have the greatest support group from the hospital. The Beth Israel Deaconess has a support group every Thursday evening at the hospital auditorium. Every week the topic of conversation is different. We have guest speakers, nurses, doctors, nutritionists, etc. We go around the room, introduce ourselves, tell of our weight loss and join in on conversations after. We have a website that everyone participates in and discusses problems or asks questions. We also have local groups from the hospital that we attend once a month. The best support groups from all the hospitals in the area!!

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

Snce I had open, I have a scar but it is not long and it is fading. That should be the least of my problems....

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have hit a plateau when I was five months out. I started to lose very slowly and it's a killer. I now only have about 25 lbs. to go, and I can tell you it will probably take me 6 months to do it in. Those are the hardest. My problem is, I have a scale at home and I became a freak about using it. I'm on it almost every day. (Before, you couldn't have gotten me on a scale if you paid me)

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

ABSOLUTELY!!!! People look at me differently. I get compliments all the time. Men are very nice to me. It seems they can't do enough. I don't think I'm explaining it correctly, but there is a definite difference in the way you are treated.