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

It was recomended by my cardoligest!

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

It wasn't an issue, I was dieing!

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

I was scared when the cardoligest told me I was going to die without it. I was scared silly when I saw the surgeon and he told me my BMI was 84%

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I didn't have a chance of living without it!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The doctor made the decision

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 have told others already that it is something that dispite the posible problems your whole life changes. Emotionaly you do feel better about yourself and your outlook of life changes.

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 was concerned for years that I would die from obesity. My friends were gone. Two people I volunteered with were there for me and supported my decision. One of my children was there for me as well the other two still have no time for me.

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

I haven't worked since 1`987, my volunteer organzation ran me off because of my size. I still feel like they don't want me to return volunteering!

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

My stay in the hospital was a day to day experence. I didn't know I would survive for almost a month after surgery. I was in the hospital for 102 days. I didn't need anything really. I could have used my friends and family being there for me. But God was always there.

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

I had CHF, Phyneoma, a tracestomy, and needed oxygen and lounge problems. I PRAYED!

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 very sick and was very uncomfortable but I prayed and the nurses and doctors were there for me.

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

I was scared I couldn't do it all by myself. I had no support person to help me. You have to do what the doctor tells you. You really can not eat much. The life changes from being able to walk again, clean your own home, do your own laundry and grocery shop. I felt like I was released from prison.

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

five miles.

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 jello, pop cycles, and fruit juces at first. I later was able to eat pured chicken and green beans, cottage cheese, water and ice tea. I still can not eat beef, hamburger, pork, corn, peas, potatoes, pasta, tomatoes, frits, soda's of any kind. firit juices and fruit drinks. NO sugar, and I have to watch my carbs.

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

Not much at all I was in bed mostly, I had to use a bed pan, I wan't able to walk much because of my breathing problmes and my legs being so week.

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

I take a special compound vitamin {seven a day with meals. If I can't eat I can't take the vitamins.)

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 get sick with gas pains and have problems sleeping still. I have a lot of diarea. My knees are still week. I have to walk with canes. Now I just truy to get out of bed every day and do something around my house. I try not to worry it just makes me feel worse.

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

My children and several close friends that to this day have not come back into my life

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

{update October 28 2002} I have been part of a support group started by my surgeon Dr William Y Marcus. Dr Marcus retired August 7, 2002. This was a sad day for obease people who are in extreem danger as I was at 503 pounds n January 16, 2001 when I first saw him. Recenty our support group has changed so drasticly because of Dr Marcus retiring and anoter surgeon trying to walk a block in Dr Marcus's shoes. I am so glad to see Dr Marcus coming to the meetings still. The support group is grared more to information for those who look for information about gastric by pass surgery. Ther is a smal group of post ops that are long term that continue to come to share how great life is since there personal sucesses as they get further out as post ops. I for one go to try to be able to touch someone who was on deaths door as I was. The group meets for 45 minutes with announcements and testomies from post ops. After that we split into two groups and the new people listen to a presentation by the surgeon about the surgery and the co-morbidities that can be causing each indivuals health problems. The others and post ops meet in another room and talk about food issues and head hunger. There isn't a great deal of topics that are being dicussed that interest me as a post op. I would love to find some social interation with other longer term post ops and talk about feelings and need about life. Acceptance is a major ssue I would love to see addressed. If anyone knows of such a group in the Washington Metro area PLEASE e-mail me. That's where I wnat to be.

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

I have a scar that ges from one hip to the other from the overhang of fat {22 pounds} that was removed during the surgery. I also have a scar that starts in the middle of that scar that goes up to my chest. I really didn't expect these large scars. I also have a scar from where I had my tracestomy. on my neck

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I'm not sure what you mean. I will say I thought my life would be better emotionaly than it is. I dream of finding true friends that I can turn to in times of need as they turn to me for support. I suffer from severe depression. Currently I am going through a really rough time after the loss of a special friend in my life. I pray I can find that certain someone that can accept me as I am and the rest of my life will fall into place

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes I do! I am the same person I was before, The hardest pill to swollow is a select few who are post ops can not or will not accept me as I am. I can't tell you how sad this makes me. When I first joined the support group 21 months ago it was so different. I pray I can find a group that wants to address social issues and acceptance near where I live.