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

My cousin had bariatric surgery 3 years ago, and she is down 187 pounds. She has been a great inspiration to me. My husband works with a woman that had the surgery done by Dr. Schreiber, and she gave me his number. I am very impressed with the doctor and the center. I really believe they are all there to help people.

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

I was lucky, I didn't have any problem. My husband works for Ameritech, and it seem that several people at Ameritech have had this surgery (as long as it was medically necessary), and the insurance approved it. My insurance was approved in about 2 weeks, and I didn't have to supply any additional information other than the questionnaire I filled out from the Bariatric Center.

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

My first meeting was great! I cam very prepared. I had my folder with printed information I got from the internet along with a list of questions. I was very informed, and Dr. Schreiber was glad to answer all of my questions. He was very up front and professional. I admire and respect him a great deal.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I am ready to start my life. 4 years ago my PCP told me if I didn't lose weight I would not live very long. He told me if I didn't change I was cutting 20 years off of my life. I was 42 at the time, and I didn't like those odds. I went on a diet and exercise plan and dropped 90 pounds in about 6 months. I gained it all back plus about 60 pounds, so I know just dieting and/or just exercising doesn't work for me.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I read about several different procedures, and this one appealed to me the most. I really like and trust Dr. Schreiber, and I wanted him to do the 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 am being very honest when I say I don't have any fears about the surgery. I put everything in God's hands, and I believe he has brought me to this point. From the time I made my initial call to the Cleveland Center for Bariatric Surgery until my surgery, which is this Friday 8/31/01 it was only 3 months. That is almost unheard of to be that quick. Usually you have to wait 3-4 months for a consultation, then another 4-6 months for surgery. Things are just falling in to place, and I am very comfortable. If you are having doubts, take a look at your options. You could die from the surgery, but it is a proven fact you WILL die if you don't have it! Just food for thought, not advice.

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?

They are very concerned and scared for me. I am calming them down, not the other way around! But everyone is very supportive. They are just glad to see me so excited about the surgery.

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

I am self employed, however I do some consulting work for a National company which will require me to travel. I told everyone I am connected with about the surgery, and once again they are supportive, yet concerned for my well being.

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

I went in the hospital on 8/31/01 on a Friday. Surgery was friday late morning, I left the hospital on Monday at 2:00 pm. Unfortunately I was in over a holiday weekend, and the nursing staff was not the regular staff. I had very little help in getting up. I had to fend for myself, but I didn't mind. This got me up doing things on my own very quickly.

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

I didn't have any complications to the surgery. I came through the surgery just fine and with very little pain medication. I didn't have to take anything when I got home. I was just a little sore, but within 2 weeks I was able to drive and get around just fine.

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 surprised that I went through a brief bout of depression. I felt very anxious about not being able to eat my comfort food. How would I cope with problems if I couldn't satisfy them with food? This lasted until I stopped in the Bariatric Center to weigh myself and it was just 12 days post op and I saw I lost 20 pounds. I was able to cope much better after that.

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

It was very difficult. You don't feel like eating anything and it takes so long to get anything down. I hated having to puree everything, so I really didn't eat much. You really have to force yourself to eat.

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

I live only 25 miles from Cleveland, so my aftercare was not affected by this at all.

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 don't eat sugar, only in very small amounts if at all. Now if I want dessert, I will take one small bite of my husbands dessert, and I am satisfied. I still can't eat beef or pork very much. I find I don't like or crave the same things I did in the past. Every week you find yourself adding foods and deleting foods to your diet. I didn't have a problem with bread, but I understand most people can't eat bread for a year or so. When I could eat solid foods again, I found I craved salads much more than before the sugery. I also ate more fish and chicken.

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

I would walk on the treadmill for 5 to 15 minutes per day. Now I walk 30-45 minutes. I can do so much more now.

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

I took the Flintstones chewables, but now I can take a multiple vitamin.

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 suffered from Hair loss for about 10 months. This is by far the worse for me. The nausia and vomiting really started about 3-4 months post op and I believe that was because I was trying new foods that didn't do well. Also, I think I started eating faster, and this is natures way of saying slow down. I only experienced dumping one time, and that was one time too many. I ate a very small (3/4 cup) of cereal, but I was out of my Cherios, so I ate Captain Crunch, and to make matters worse, I used 1% milk. Well the sugar content was too high, and I thought I was going to die. The severe abdominal pain, cold sweats, heart palpatations and the dizziness coupled with the inability to stand up was awful. I can't believe anyone would ever go through this twice, you really watch everything you eat after that.

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

The worst part has been the follow-up. My 6 month appointment was changed several times, then when I did come in for it, the Doctor was called away. I am now just 1 year and 5 days post op, and I have yet to see the doctor. I had to have test done at 6 months, and they were suppose to get me the results within 3 weeks; I still don't have them to date. I've left several messages with the office, but didn't get a response, so I guess if anything was really wrong with me, they would call. I had to cancel my 1 year check up do to a scheduling conflict, and when I left the message to cancel the appointment, I requested someone call me on my cell phone to reschedule, well that was 4 weeks ago, and I haven't heard from anyone. I'm just happy I had the surgery. Dr. Schreiber is a great surgeon, so I can live with the lack of follow up care they give. I feel great.

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

I go to the support group meetings when I'm able. I travel a lot in my job, so I haven't been able to attend many since May of 2002.

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

The scar is very ugly. I didn't know what to expect since I never had surgery before. The skin just hangs around the stomach area.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had many plateaus since the 7 month post op point. The weight loss is slowing down considerably now. I'm sure it's because I am able to eat more. I just have to increase my activity level. I'm still loosing, but it is slower now.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I notice I treat people differently now. I don't always assume they are making fun of me or laughing at me behind my back. I have to fly a lot for may job, and I don't see the dread on someone's face when they discover their seat is next to me. Now they just say excuse me and crawl over!