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

Watching T.V. I heard about it. It was scary but then at the time my life was scary. Health was out of control and not caring if I lived or died. Surgery was the last ditch effort to some kind of control over this eating. I had no fears of the surgery at all, I had much more fear in remaining fat and having to endure life that way. I was going to die one way or the other so why not. Even if I had remainded fat and lived another 20 years I was actually dead.

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

I was totally shocked at how fat the insurance came through for me. I had not even told my husband I had looked into it and walla there was the approval. I would tell others to keep bugging them if they are giving you a hard time. But for me, I had no problems.

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

Research, research, research. I can not stress that enough. DO your own homework before. This site is wonderful for information about the different surgeries and experiences of people. Take notes and write down questions you have when you get your first apt. with your surgeon. Do homework on your surgeon as well. It's for you not go into this blindly.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was tired plain and simple of living and living as a fat person.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

It wasn't up to me, it was up to the surgeon and how he did the surgery. Finding and researching him and trusting him made the decision on what type of surgery to have.

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 had a fear of dying everyday I woke up. My health was out of control. Again I can't begin to tell you how you have to do your home work prior to considering this surgery. It's not easy but how is life now? For me it was easier than being fat any longer. Talk to your inner self, you'll be surprised at the questions you get answered.

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?

So many people who know your having surgery for fat reduction think you are doing it for vain reasons. You get commments like, "your pretty, why do this, or why in the world don't you just stop eating". Then you have to explain to them as I did. Look its not for my looks its for my health. I'm going to die if I stay this way. But once they found out I was serious about it I had all the support I could possibly want from family and friends. They still support me today and its been 6 months since surgery. I'm certain they are getting tired of hearing about it, but oh well they have to deal with it. "Laughing to myself"

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

The stay in the hospital was ok. Nothing to write home about. I developed complications ARDS which constutied my leaving the clinic and going to another hospital. The stay was about 6 days instead of 3 days as planned. Hand lotion and footies are important to bring and shampoo and conditioner. Everything else I found they supplied for you.

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

I developed ARDS, an breathing problem and went home on oxgen thearpy. It worked out fine. They did send me to another hospital but that was fine as well. I had the support of my husband with me all the time that made things very easy for me. The support of family or friends is a good thing.

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

Getting over the first few weeks of liquids was a job. You find yourself wanting to cheat at the diet but then you find yourself scared because the last thing you want is to go back for another surgery to repair anything you damaged. You miss the habit of social eating but I never actually missed the food. With coping with any anxiety I felt I would simply say, "this to will pass".

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

Because of lung problems my recovery took a little longer than most. Just have a good support team, family, friends etc. It is hard to eat and learn to eat again the proper way. You'll have highs and lows. Just keep telling yourself this is a thin person wanting out of a fat body and you'll win.

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

I was about an hour away from the hospital and was not a bad comute 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 was on liquids the first 6 weeks after surgery. Was not as hard as I thought. I did however cheat with mashed potaoes. Taste buds change alot and found myslf craving acid foods. I can't eat red meats or breads very well at all. Pasta is a problem as well. Sugars of course are off limits but thats fine because i'm diabetic anyway. Insulin has dropped from 150 units a day to about 5 units. Pretty soon I should be off them all together. My diet gets easier and easier as time goes by. I still I think eat to much at times. I'm lucky I guess no dumping for me. Hair loss yes. Am taking vit. but find at time getting all required protein in a problem and all the water I need. It's a daily battle to do what is best for you, but then life has been a daily battle or I would not have needed surgery. This battle is better though because now I see I am actually doing something for myself.

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

Slow right after surgery, but as of now I can walk without problems and do workouts as I should.

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

Pre natal vitamins, and Protein shakes.

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?

Hair loss is my biggest problem. I have not had any of the other problems related to the surgery. Hair loss is still happening and started about 4 months after surgery. That bothers me alot but they say it will stop.

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

I didn't actually think about the worse part. It was worse being fat and not able to be active. So anything that has happened since surgery has been a blessing because it's a way to recover my life. I didn't go into thinking anything bad would happen so I don't dwell or even remember the bad times.

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

I have gone back for one check up. Partly due to not having a car and the clinic is about an hour or so away. I plan on going in pretty soon. I'm no in any support group other than family. I do go to the gym where some people know I had the surgery but it never comes up in conversation. For me going to support groups etc. were not that important, I already knew what I needed to do to change my life. Maybe support groups would have made it easier for me, who knows. But I am doing fine.

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

I'm 56 years old and that scare is nothing compared to the 125 lbs of extra fat I was lugging around with me. I'm not that vain a person about my body. I've been married many many years and that scare only adds to my years and experiences on earth. The scare is about 6 inches long and very narrow and not bad at all.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I average about 2 1/2 pounds a week in weight loss. I started out at 278 and am now down to 209 1/2 since May 19,2003. Some times a plateau hits you and you just keep doing what you are doing and the next week or two it starts to come off again. The most important thing is if you doing what you should be doing and not cheating alot, it all works out. I am surprised though at the amount of food I actually can eat. Its not as bad as it sounds. I can consume about 3/4 cup of food at a time and sometimes more depending on what it is and how it breaks down.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yup, when I go shopping now I get more respect from people. But maybe its because I look more socially acceptable because I care more about myself now to make certain i'm not wearing sweats to go shopping. Who knows. I do know that some times I think my family gets tired of me talking about the surgery and hearing every single pound I have lost but thats ok. But my family is always suportive in my exeperince with it. You get mixed feelings with it but you just keep going on with what makes it work for you.