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

I originally heard about it 15 years ago and my impression wasn't very good. I had a gastric stapling that was unsuccessful and feared treading that path again. I have, however, done extensive research this time and have discovered many questions I didn't ask before, different types of surgery that weren't available before, etc... I now feel mature enough to handle it and the changes that will occur because of it.

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

Never give up! Even if there is an exclusion in your policy, don't give up. My insurance had an exclusion; however, my company is virtually self insured and they overrode the policy and approved it based on medical necessity. I had also provided to my company, in coordination with my surgeon's letter, some information about discrimination, ADA, etc..

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

Come prepared with questions. Most of your questions will probably be answered during the orientation period where the surgeon explains his procedure.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My inability to live life. Pure and simple...I just got tired of living life on the sidelines. My health was poor and getting worse and I wanted to be around to watch my son grow up.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I actually chose the best surgeon first and then went with what he recommended. Dr. Appel offered, up front, why he does the procedure that he does. He was very informative and didn't seem to mind making his patients informed as well.

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 would be lying if I said I wasn't scared to death. Truth is, I was more afraid to stay the way I was than I was to have the surgery. I'm a Christian and I knew that God had His hand in this from the beginning. There really does come a point where you have to put your faith in something because this problem is beyond just 'you' and so is the resolution.

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?

My family has been very supportive! My husband was really afraid for me in the beginning but even he realized that something had to be done. I still get a lot of encouragement from my family and they tell me all the time how proud they are of me. I wouldn't change a thing about making my friends and family and co-workers a part of this.

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

I was out of work for about 8 - 10 weeks total. I probably wouldn't have gone back to work then if I'd had more leave time. This is an emotional challenge also - not just a physical one. My director is male and my Deputy Director is female - they were both interested, curious and as supportive as they could be, I guess. I had just reached a point where I really didn't care what other people thought as long as I had the support of my family and friends.

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 six days. You really don't need to bring anything because the necessities are provided. It was a good thing my mother stayed in the room with me (24/7) because the nursing staff is almost nonexistent. They only come check on you every so often and even if you buzz them it takes forever for them to get to you. Not the most sympathetic place to be either!

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

No complications really...just a little more involved than I expected. My surgery lasted nine hours and that kept my family on edge. I stayed two full days in intensive care but I did 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 excited, emotional, elated, nervous, anxious...all rolled into one. There were days that I was extremely emotional and there were days that I had an unusual calm feeling. I tried to turn my anxiety into a learning experience and was forever researching to see if there was something else I needed to learn about this surgey. I talked with other wls preops and postops and kept telling myself why I ventured into this arena in the first place...QUALITY OF LIFE!

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

I was very emotional! There were a couple of times that I had an accident (using the restroom) and had to get help. I was in a certain amount of pain but had pain medicine to help with that. I did not sleep all night for quite a while. Couldn't get comfortable in the bed.

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

My surgeon and the hospital he uses are over an hour and a half from my house. It did not have any affect on my care before during or after my surgery. I would have traveled to the ends of the earth to have the surgeon that I had - he was wonderful!

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 started out with liquids only, then graduated to soft foods - maintained that for about 7 weeks or so. After a couple of months I have gradually introduced different foods into my diet but I still have a hard time with meat in general. Crunchy things I do real well with. I don't digest the skins on tomatoes or potatoes real well and I definitely stay away from sweets and foods high in fats.

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

I'm still not as active as I probably should or could be but I do move around a lot better than I used to. I actually don't mind walking somewhere now and I don't mind parking my car a further distance away. My energy level was at ground zero for several weeks but now that I'm a few months out it is beginning to pick up considerably.

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

I take three Flinstone chewable vitamins per day, one pepcid (chewable) in the morning and one in the evening, calcium supplement (citrical), and a protein supplement (Isopure). Isopure was the only protein supplement that I found that I could tolerate. The powders were gross and I have never liked milk.

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

The waiting....

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

My surgeon offers a monthly support group that is absolutely wonderful!

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

It's exactly what I expected. It's long and curves around my belly button slightly.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

After about six months my weight loss slowed significantly. This went off and on for a while and then my surgeon suggested that I get back on my protein drinks and leave the carbs alone. Low and behold, I have lost more weight. I am down 240 pounds now and couldn't be happier.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Somewhat, but I think of myself differently so that may explain some of it.