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

My brother approached me 3 yrs ago about the surgery and I looked at it as a cop-out. I felt that if I wanted to lose weight then I could do it with out surgery. That there is no miracle cure or bill out there.

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

I did all the leg work first. I called the insurance company and asked them about the surgery. At first they told me that they didn't cover it, so I asked them again by putting it another way. I asked them, "Do you cover the surgery if it is medically necessary?" the rep then had to say yes. So I asked what was needed for "medically necessary". I then went to my doctor and started going down the list to see if I would qualify. When I was satisfied that I had a really good chance of being approved, I submited my application for surgery. I was approved the same day they submitted to insurance.

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

My first visit was comforting. The surgeon was very nice and didn't make me feel like I had failed and was now doing the loser's option of surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had ovarian drilling in December 2001 to try and reverse endometreosis and Polysitic Ovarian Syndrome. In Oct 2002 my back went out with no warning and I ended up in the hospital for a week unable to even lift my head. I was totally helpless and FAT. I was told that I had to lose AT LEAST 100lbs to fix my back. I then found out in Dec. 2002 that the ovarian drilling didn't work and everything was back worse than before. Those were the two factors that made me realize that I can't do it on my own else I would have already. So I went to my first seminar in Feb. 2003 and had surgery Oct. 2003.

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

My hospital stay was good from a surgery stand point, but bad from a personal stand point. The surgery went great! Couldn't ask for a better surgery. There was only one nurse that I liked while I was there, the other one, did not listen to me when I told her I could not stand because I was exhausted. I had those things beating on my feet and I didn't get any sleep the whole night. I finally begged them to take them off and I was just getting to sleep when she came in wanting to weigh me. I told her I couldn't, that I didn't have the engery. She insisted and I ended up pulling a muscle in my arm trying to hold myself up. I was in the hospital for 3 and half days. The most important thing to take is chapstick. You're lips will be VERY dry and they won't let you have water right off.

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

No

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 can tell you that in the first week I wondered if I had made the right choice. I was totally destraught. I couldn't find anything that tasted good and my stomach always bothered me. On my three week visit they had the group do an experiment with a grape. NOt what we are suppose to be eating at 3wks. I was instantly sick and stayed that way for a week. They finally put me on Nexium and anti-nausia medicine. After a few days of that I felt great and was able to eat and be satisfied.

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

The first few weeks were the hardest. You question your decision and in my case I couldn't talk it over with my husband because he had begged me not to do the surgery the day before I had the surgery.

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

I had to travel 5 hours to have my surgery. Luckily I didn't have any complications and went home 3days later.

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've had a hard time finding foods that satisfy me. When I say satisfy, I mean taste and texture. Quantity was never an issue with me it was always the quality of the food. I couldn't find a liquid that I liked and stayed down for at least 4 wks after surgery. Then my taste buds got back to normal. I stayed away from anythign that had sugar in it to begin with. I was terrified of dumping. I was 3mons post when I ate a minature and didn't dump. Bad thing to get use to. So, again I pushed myself to stay away from sugar. I love crab legs. They were the first solid that I was able to eat and not get sick off of. I also think they are satisfying because it takes effort to eat them and everyone else has time to eat their food and I'm often the last person eating. Any other food and I'm sitting there watching them eat because I took 3 bites an I'm done. I'm now 6mons post and I can eat almost anything. I still limit my sugar and carbs, but I can do a little and feel like a normal person. Just eating less.

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

I attend a support group locally. It's people that have either had the surgery or are wanting it. It's great to go to these meetings but I feel that they are not frequent enough. We only meet once a month and I would like at least twice a month. I can tell you that I felt alone until I started going to the support group meetings. You can connect with someone who has had the surgery alot easier than with a loved one who hasn't and has never been fat.

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

I had lap surgery so I have six little scars. They are not bad. I have a 12in scar from my gall bladder surgery so these are nothing compared to it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had a plateau at 70lbs. I found the way to avoid or get out of a plateau is to eat more protien and to exercise more. I'm not very good at exercising so I try my best to do more.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. I have found that I'm treated better. Men open the door for me, my family is very proud of me. I know it's because I'm acting proud of myself.