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

I had heard about Carny Wilson at the time that she had her surgery. I thought, "WOW! To be able to starve and not starve!" But I figured she had the money to do it and insurance didn't cover that sort of thing. It was very depressing that insurance companies didn't see the advantages in health care costs, and pain and suffering and depression and frustration in patients who literally have to starve to lose weight, by reducing the number of morbidly obese people.

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

I didn't have any problems. I followed through the list of tests and evaluations needed, the doctor's office called to say I was approved, I received a letter saying I was approved. However, at my first support group meeting there was more than one person who had the procedure and are now being told by the same insurance company that they are not paying, so I am waiting and holding my breath.

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

Go to a seminar first. It will help you understand eveything better and help you have your questions ready.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

It was either this procedure or soon to be dealing with diabetes, heart disease, bad knees and joints, etc. I didn't even know that I had very bad sleep apnea until the eval for surgery.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The lap gastric bypass was the only one that would be live-long lasting and almost non-reversible.

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 really have any fears of dying, etc. I felt that God had finally led me to the help I needed and that if I actually made it on the table (getting thru all the pre-op stuff) He would see me through the rest.

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 and daughter were for it and very supportive. My brother and his wife also said go for it. My one sister said I could count on God without the surgery, so she didn't know I had it until a month after the fact. My friends were worried about complications, but supportive of my decisions.

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

I am a stay at home wife and mom.

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

I had surgery on Monday morning and came home on Wednesday afternoon. I really only used my hairbrush and slippers- everything else I got at the hospital.

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

none. I had a PCA pump for the pain, which I used to the fullest.

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 didn;t have very long to think about it. I had less than 3 weeks, then a few days later they called to see if I wanted to move it up a week as they had a cancellation. After hanging up I felt my first moments of anxiety. Questioning if I REALLY wanted to do this. I knew that deep down I had NO other choices. I want to live and I want to have a life while I'm here - not just exist and take up space. Then I got busy and stocked up on the broth, jello, yogurt, and things in my packet I would need when I got home.

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

I have been home 4 weeks today. I have had 2 days without my Tylenol w/codeine - though have been reducing it for 2 weeks. I am having difficulty drinking enough water, my stomach is still a little sore and the bandages are causing skin burns. I have only vomited 2 times, but feel nauseated alot - sometimes I think it's because I NEED to eat something. I found that moving around feels better than sitting around.

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

10 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.

30 days only - I still do broth and sugar free jello sometimes. I am doing okay with fat free/sugar free yogurt, lowfat cottage cheese, homemade navy bean soup, vegetarian vegetable soup (the broth and carrots only), triscuit crackers, decaf tea - all of the above are on a day by day basis - sometimes they don't work for me. On Thanksgiving last week I ate 2 NIBBLES each of turkey, ham, sweet potatoes, stuffing, pumpkin pie filling, and banana pudding. I thought I would be sick, but a good Thanksgiving it was!

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

Very slow moving the first 2 weeks. The 2nd Friday I drove myself to the store and picked up a few groceries (no pain med). The 3rd week I took myself to the doctor, slowly browsed around stores, then went home for a nap. Today I walked (rather slowly) a mile up and a mile back down the road. I amazed even myself. Still afraid to do anything too strenuous.

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

I crush 2 chewable vitamins every day. I take 2 calcium chewables per day (I still can't find calcium CITRATE chewables). I take one sublinqual B-12 (from GNC) every Monday.

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?

Nausea isn;t too,too bad. I have only vomited twice - over with quick and felt better. Too soon for hair loss. Don;t think I've experience dumping yet.

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

I'm not sure I've had a "worse" part. Maybe the months it took to get all the appointments I needed and fear that it might have ended up for nothing if I was turned down.

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

We have a support group that meets at the hospital once/month. Also a new on-line support group made up of that group. I only made it to the first meeting as last month I had just gotten back out of the hospital (bleeding ulcer & hernia) and was in no shape to be out that long. I need this group, and having it on-line feels great because I can contact anyone at any time and get a reply within a few hours!!!

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

I have six small scars - which 4 are bigger than I expected, but they are almost healed and I can use vitamin e oil to start lightening them up. I guess it's better than one big one down the middle.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None yet. But I have a distinguishable neck again!!!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet.