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

I first heard about it when Rosann Barr had the surgery. Then I was at a dress shop and someone was tolking about a hairdresser next door who had the surgery. I went over right then and talked to her. She was very helpful and informative.

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

In Virginia it is not difficult since they passed the law requiring coverage. I had little to no difficulty.

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

We sat at a desk and discussed the surgery and pros and cons. I think I should have researched a little bit more onthe different types of surgery so I could ask more questions because he never spent that much time with me again! Although other people in his office did talk with me.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My blood pressure could no longer be controled and my physician told me he doubted I'd live another ten years if I didn't lose the weight.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

By talking with other people and looking at the risks involved. I decided on the full because I was unsure of a surgeon skilled enough for the laproscopic which at the time had more leakage failures.

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 definetly feared dying. I went and saw all my relatives and my daughter. But in my case I was afraid of dying if I didn't have the surgery. So I'm not sure whether I would have gone through it if I hadn't really tried every other weight loss program I could find.

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?

I did not tell them until right before because I was fearful they would try and talk me out of it. Some have been supportive and some have been kind of hurtful. When I became smaller than my sisters for the first time in my life I got a lot of critisism for losing "too much" I did lose more than my goal but I am at a healthy but slightly skinny weight.

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

I told them the truth from the begining. After the surgery was scheduled they panicked and tried to get me to delay it. I held firm and said that my health was more important. They did question that this was "elective" surgery. Which I explained it was not considered elective. Just as repairing a hernia can be delyed or not done this was for health reasons and not cosmetic. I was only out of work for 6 days so they were very pleased that I could return so quickly. I worked short days for a week and then went back full time. I carpooled with my husband to and from work.

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

I was only in the hospital three days. I didn't really need anything form home for that short of period. I brought magazines but did not read them. I couldn't use the tongs for wiping so just slowly reached. The most important thing was my husband stayed with me the first day. I could not get out of bed and to the bathroom by myself and it was difficult waiting for the busy nurses to come and help. After the first day I could get out myself and so he went to work.

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

I actually had no complications at all.

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 tired alot and a few times I looked at stitches or felt really nausious and thought to myself "Oh, my God what have I done!" But each day got better unless I ate something bad. And once I had my blood pressure medicine reduced I started gaining some energy.

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

Well, I slept alot the first few days. Then I just spent the time preparing my meal or getting cleaned up. These tasks took quit a bit longer than you'd think and then I'd need to rest again. I went back to work before the stiches were out so my husband drove me. I took a pillow and blanket and napped in the afternoon for a short while. It took several weeks before I could go a whole day with out a nap!

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

I had my surgery locally.

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.

In the begining I ate pureed foods and most made me feel Nauseated. I got inot a routine of eating only low fat cream cheese and crackers. And of course my protien drink. Slowly other foods became easier to tolerate. I found that meats were hard to chew up enough and sometimes I would throw up. Especially shrimp and chicken and steak need to be cut into very small pieces because it seemed that no matter how long I chewed they didn't break up. I still cannot tolerate sweets or too much fat. And don't want to! I eat no dessert or sweets at all. I occasionaly will eat a little of fatty foods such as 2 french fries with a meal. I still don't tolerate breads. If I crave it (which I don't much anymore) I just eat a pinch of the crust. I do however eat some carbs in crackers and pastas.

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

For the first few weeks I walked every hour like they told me but that was about it. I thought I was doing well when I got to 2 blocks! Each week it went up a little bit more till around 6 months when I just felt absolutly great and full of energy. And still do!

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

I take perscription iron becuase my iron was consistently low. I take B12 sublingually 3 times a week, multivitamins daily and calicium twice a 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 never expereinced dumping but the nausea occasionaly really got to me. Sometimes I couldn't throw up but I'd have sever pain(from not chewing well enough or eating too fast) and the only thing I could do was walk until it subsided. Sometimes an hour. But now that rarely if ever happens.

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

The pain from getting out of bed in the begining was the worst I have ever experienced. But it didn't last and before long I learned how to avoid too much and soon it was gone!

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

I meet in a group with my nutritionist and I found that was the most helpful. I kept plannning to go to one of the support groups but never made it. I did talk independenly with lots of peole who had the surgery. That always helped.

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

The scar has really healed up nice now. Really not bad at all. I expected worse!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I did hit a plateau around 6 months that scared me. I even gained a little weight. I was about ready to talk to the doctor about it when I droped five pounds in one week! That was really the only pateau I had.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Definitely! I went on an interview and actually got offered the job. I had been looking around for some time and during the interview process I noticed they were really not as hard on the questions of can you really handle this job like it had been before. I have to be more careful with my dealings with men. They now flirt with me if I'm the least bit friendly! Women also treat me different. On one level they treat me more like an equal. But also I find I am more threatening and have to more careful about what I say. Something I could have gotten away with as a joke before seems more caustic now.