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

I met someone who had the surgery. I thought what a horrible thing to do to yourself just to lose weight. I watched her go from 285 to 140 and thought maybe this is something I should look into.

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

The clinic submitted the paperwork. The nurse from the ins called me and interviewed me. I was over 100 lbs but my BMI was only 37.5, I am 5'8" and didn't have any co-morbidities. He said he would go ahead and approve me. Why wait for me to gain another 20lbs and then qualify.

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

I was prepared to have the surg open because the safety profile was better. Dr. Wittgrove talked me into going with the lap. I am glad I did.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had tried many diets without any longterm success. I was only 38 and too young to be so unhealthy.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The dr talked me into having it done with the lap.

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?

There are risks with any type of surgery. There are risks with obesity. I went to a leading clinic, expected to have open so that the safety profile would be better and i would have less chances for a complication. Due your homework, learn all there is, talk to as many people who have had the surgery as you can. Do it with your eyes wide open.

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?

some family members didn't want me to do it. Many people think you are taking the easy way out. Old fashion diet and exercise is the way to go. Most people need to be educated about the surg.

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

The hospital was great. I was there 3 days. Someone suggested those pillows with the little squat arms for reading. If you turn it upside down and backwards, it is perfect for propping you up to sleep and giving good back support. Also post-op if pain pills make you nauseous. Take pill and then follow with hot broth. This will help to melt the pill and absorb it. It wont just sit there in the stomach mucosa, which is healing and very irritable.

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

I didn't have any complications. I experianced nausea for two days but it was the pain pills.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

Once I had a date. I ate whatever I wanted and didn't gain any lbs. I was very anxious because I don't like going under anesthesia.

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

The first weeks are very difficult. Very emotional. Your foods are restricted. I remember just wanting something with some taste to it. Going out to eat was no fun. Just didn't do it for awhile until I could eat more foods.

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

I traveled from South Lake Tahoe to San Diego. The aftercare was difficult because it was done by phone. I had a complication that if they would have seen me in the office, they might have realized that I was very sick and diagnosed me sooner.

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.

our first two mths were soft proteins only. If i ate carbs it would nauseate me. I couldn't have red meat for 6 months. As time has gone by I can eat more food, spicy foods no longer bother me. I have a hard time with anything fried. Chinese food doesn't do me well. Pretzels work well for nausea and Junior mints help to settle my stomach. I don't get dumping syndrome.

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

The first two weeks I had alot of pain. I would have been able to go back to work on week 3 or 4. I walked each day and really felt great.

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

I take two gummy bear vits daily. I get them at Trader Joes. I have never been able to tolerate any other vits. I also take b12 from Traders Joes. It dissolves in seconds and doesn't taste bad. I take it once a week. i also take 2 calcium tabs daily.

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?

At 6 wks postop, I developed intractable nausea and retching. I was unable to eat solid food or take my vits. I tried all the anti-nausea meds with no improvement. I drank only gatorade for 7 weeks, during this time I developed weakness in my legs. At 7 weeks, I was diagnosed with Gallbladder disease. After it was the removed the nausea and retching went away. 7 days later I was readmitted to the hosp. Dx with Vit b1 deficiency, thiamine or Beri-Beri disease. I was unable to move from the waist down. It affected my vision, stomach and equilibrium. I was in the hosp for 5 weeks. It has been 13 mths and I am still not fully recovered. During that 7 weeks I was in the er for dehydration but noone had the foresight to give me vitamin injections. all of this could have been avoided if someone had.

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

the first week all we could have was broth and diet jello. The diet jello tasted foul so all i had that week was the broth. I lost 15 lbs that first week.

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

Alvarado clinic offers aftercare for 1 year. They order the necessary labs and try to help with any complications. It is very important that everyone have labs and that everyone take vitamins, b12 and calcium.

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

I have several mini ones, they have faded as the year went by.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had a few plateaus. Sometimes you don't lose for a week or so and then you get on the scale and you would be down 10 lbs from one day to the next.I kept a running list of the date and weight every week or so, or every lb. It is cool to look back and see the weight go down.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People don't overlook me. I used to feel invisible sometimes. People comment on my thinness and how lucky I am. If they only knew. Sometimes I feel inclined to tell them.