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

I first found out about bariatric surgery by a television advertisement. I called and talked with a representative and also had them send me information. I was impressed but my doctor (at that time) wasn't. He wouldn't approve for me to have the surgery done. Thank goodness I do not have that doctor anymore!!!

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

Be persistent. Get all the approvals from your personal physician that you can so that the insurance company can see that this surgery is medically needed.

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

My first impression of the surgeon was not good. She was not the original surgeon that was assigned to me - there was a mix-up at the center and the surgeon that I was supposed to see had already gone home (they forgot that I was there). So by the time I saw the surgeon that I would eventually have, she was rushed and a little impatient.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My health was declining so I pushed to have the surgery with my personal physician.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My personal physician and I discussed it thoroughly and decided on the best option for me.

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 didn't have any fears. I had never had major surgery before so I didn't really know what to expect. I wanted the surgery so much that all I could think about was how much better I was going to feel when it was all over with. I never thought that I would die because of my faith. For others considering the surgery, it does hurt for a while but in the long run - as long as you follow the rules and change your eating habits - you will be so happy.

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 husband was against me having the surgery. He loved me as I was and also was afraid of the complications from surgery (if any). He also was afraid that I would leave him once I had lost my weight but through constant reassurance and love - he is no longer afraid of that. The rest of my family and friends were hesitant because of the drastic changes that I would have to make but were very supportive otherwise. My husband and the rest of my family and friends have been very supportive since surgery.

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

My employer was very supportive of my decision. There have been a few other employees here that have had the surgery in the past so they were aware of surgery. I was up front with my employer about the surgery and the reasons for it. I was off work for 5 1/2 weeks.

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

My stay at the Bariatric Treatment Center in Ypsilanti, MI was okay. I was there for surgery on Monday and was discharged on Thursday morning. I felt that it could have been a little cleaner but the nurses and aides were very helpful. The most important thing to bring is a good attitude - also a couple of robes because you have to get up and walk around. Non-skid slippers would also be helpful. They provided most everything else.

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

I didn't have any complications (thank God).

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 anxious because I wanted to get it over with and get started losing weight. I attended the support group meetings before I had my date also. It was good to hear from other people what they had gone through.

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

I was in quite a bit of pain but had painkillers so help out. Please follow the doctors advice on rest, walking, eating, etc. After the first full week home, I was able to be up more but make sure not to over-do anything. You do not want to get a hernia or rupture your incision.

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

I traveled about 5 hours to have the surgery - about 260 miles. The only hassle with this is the follow-up visits are so far away. As far as the ride home right after surgery, I don't remember much. I asked and received extra pain medication and slept pretty much the whole way home.

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.

The first couple of weeks diet was clear liquids - water, sugar-free jello, crystal light, 100% juice (diluted 50%), sugar-free popsicles, broth. The second stage was full liquids - fat-free milk, sugar-free pudding, creamed/strained soups (made with evaporated milk), no sugar-added Carnation Instant Breakfast (with non-fat dry milk added), no sugar-added fudgesicles. The third stage was pureed foods - oatmeal, scrambled eggs (from egg substitute), cottage cheese, mashed potatoes,baby food, or any recipe in the bariatric book that you could put in the blender. The fourth stage was soft foods that were listed in the bariatric book - which starts bringing your system and stomach back into contact with more solid foods. The fifth stage was regular food. You MUST follow the rules and guidelines of the diet laid out by the bariatric specialists. Your system is now changed and will not tolerate certain levels of fat, refined sugars and serving sizes. It is very important to eat slowly and in small portions 5-6 times per day. This was quite a change for me personally because of my work schedule but I have adjusted quite well. I also have changed my shopping habits for groceries and look more closely at the nutrition labels for the grams of sugar and fat. Sweets such as regular candy, cakes, cookies, pies, and donuts are off-limits. There are some very good sugar-free candies and cookies in the food market that are satisfying. The cakes and pies that are in a cookbook that was offered in our support group are very delicious also. The only thing that I really miss is the donuts!!!!

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

Four hours after you have your surgery, you are up walking around. It was quite painful and slow but it is for your own good. I kept up the walking while in the hospital and when I got home, I walked around the house for about 5 minutes at a time - three to four times per day. I kept this up for the first couple of weeks and gradually worked up to 10 minutes, then 15 minutes. You do not want to push yourself but you do need to keep moving. At about 4 weeks after surgery, I started walking on the treadmill 20 minutes per day. At about six weeks I increased it to 30 minutes per day. After my three-month check-up, I joined Curves for Women and go there three times per week for toning exercises. I continue to walk on the treadmill on the days that I don't go to Curves. You have a weight restriction limit - please make sure that you follow those instructions - you do not want a hernia!!!

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

I now take 2 Bugs Bunny Childrens Complete vitamins per day.

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 thankfully haven't experienced too many side effects from the surgery. I started to notice the hair loss about 5 months past surgery and it still continues. I haven't had that much nausea except for when I might eat too much at a time and then I work real hard at not vomiting by taking deep breaths and walking around. The dumping has been a factor because I stay away from the sugar.

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

The first two days after surgery - I was in quite a bit of pain and questioning why I had done this - but IT IS SO WORTH IT. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

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

I attend the Bariatric Support in Gaylord, MI. I started going there before I had the surgery to hear other experiences and have continued to attend and share my experiences. It is very helpful because there is always someone else that has gone through what you are or have gone through and it helps to know that you are not alone.

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

My scar is better than I expected. I never planned on wearing a bikini so it doesn't really bother me. It is still quite red and tender in spots six months after surgery but I am sure, in time, that these will fade.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have hit a couple of plateaus since surgery. At first I got frustrated like I used to in other diets but I know that my body has to adjust to the rapid weight loss. I also paid more attention to my diet and changed a few things to break the "cycle" and then I started to lose weight again. I just keep exercising and watching what I eat and know that if I never lose another pound, I am happy where I am at and it will eventually balance out.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes - more people are noticing my weight loss and giving me words of encouragement. I also feel that I don't get the "scorned" look from strangers that I used to get - you know, the look that an obese thinks they get. It is like I am accepted more now than before. Too bad for those people though - I am still the same person that I ever was - just walking with a little more pride!