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

I saw ads for it on television and at first I would have walked the 500 miles the place was to have it done but back then no insurance covered it. When it finally became a viable option I was a little more comfortable at where I was in life and scared of changing that - but mostly scared of losing my vices.

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

My advice is to move quickly and don't take no for an answer. Also, most important, shop around for the best coverage. If you don't have it, get it! Wait it out if necessary to have the best coverage and then get going as quickly as possible.

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

My first visit was informative but I was ready for it. I suggest writing down every single possible question you might have and then make sure you ask it no matter what it is. I wrote down the answers because I was afraid I might forget something. I also brought my sister with me who also had her own questions and helped me with remembering things the doctor said later. Never go to anything alone. Always bring support.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My health. I was winded no matter what I did. Mainly, my children were a huge deciding factor. I was too tired to participate in any of their events, and even more so, embarrassed. They would be teased in horrible ways by their classmates and that was the worst when they are being hurt because of me. Also, my son got into a fight defending me and got in trouble at school. My kids and I also went to an amusement park and I couldn't fit into the seat of the one ride my son wanted me to go on, total embarrassment. My daughter started to worry that she would turn out the same way and wouldn't eat much out of fear. Obesity of this kind hurts more than just you.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

It was mainly decided by the doctors but thoroughly discussed between them and myself. I was completely informed and aware of all options and confident this was best 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 was terrified. I even went so far as to write good-bye letters to my children and family. I put my faith in God, believing this is what was best for me and my future for myself and my family. I would tell others to let it all weigh in heavily and make certain that it is the last and best option for you. For me the risk was worth it.

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 kept it from most of my family for a long time. Just my husband, sister and kids knew at first. Some of my family members had loudly expressed their opposition to it when I had first considered it long ago. I didn't need to deal with that in addition to everything else I was going thru so I kept it quiet until I had a surgery date and knew for sure everything was set. All of my family members and friends ended up being very supportive. It was a great environment of love and support in the end.

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 supportive as far as the people I worked with being encouraging. However, they didn't like that I had to have what they considered a long time period off of work. Fortunately I qualifed for FMLA coverage and was able to get it pre-approved so the absence wouldn't count as severely against me.

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

The stay was difficult due to having a roommate that was loud and had problems. I was there 4 days. Most important: robe, slippers, brush, magazines and things to keep occupied with. Family visits are nice, but need to be brief, it's hard to entertain when you just want to sleep. You need to walk a lot so having someone to walk with you and encourage you along the way is most helpful. My husband woke me up every so often (he stayed there with me) and got me up and walked with me. Bring salad tongs to help you wipe when you go to the bathroom. You can't lean over to do it. Bring toiletries too - toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, etc.

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

I found out the hard way that I had milk intolerance so I became ill and couldn't drink the protein shakes. I lived off of popsicles and minute amounts of water for days until we found the problem. That was intolerable. I was also VERY gassed up from trapped air and the pain medication. I stopped the pain medication 2 days after I got home to try and rid myself of it. I also walked on our treadmill to walk the air out. It was very painful and difficult. Once I found a shake I could tolerate and began with soft foods like cottage cheese (ironically) and eggs I did better.

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

At 4 weeks after my surgery I went back to work despite being allowed off for 8 weeks. I don't have a "physical" job per say so I was able. I found that my energy level was very low and I was very tired most of the time. I found that people were the biggest problem, yet could be the best too. Some people still voiced their opposition even afterwards. Some people said they thought I would have lost more weight in the 4 weeks I was gone, like they didn't notice any difference. Some people were very rude. I struggled with that. I felt like I had to prove the surgery was worth it and got depressed that I wasn't losing faster. At my one of my check-ups my doctor said how wonderful I was doing and that if I had been losing faster it would be unhealthy and I would have a lot of loose skin. That helped boost my a bit and as the weight continued to come off and I began wearing smaller clothes it got better. It's a long process both physically and emotionally.

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

My first two weeks were horrible due to the milk intolerance but once I got past that each week was an improvement over the next. Expect the worst and have as much support around you as possible.

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

55 miles. It was difficult on the way there because it gave me more time to second guess myself. It was worse on the way home. It was in the middle of a blizzard and I was in terrible pain. The ride was nervewracking and painful and dreadfully long. It made it very difficult.

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.

At first, once I found protein shakes that didn't affect my milk intolerance that was all I had plus water and sugar free popsicles. Then I started with cottage cheese and an egg. That was the first month and most of the second. I also had applesauce but it filled up too quickly and hurt a little. Always carried water with me. I slowly added in other soft foods like pasta. Not the best thing but I found I could eat something with flavor and that made a big difference, so I had a lot of pasta whenever I could. I stayed with mostly pasta variations, eggs and cottage cheese for awhile. Also, portions of omelets too. I ate every 2-4 hours or so except when I was sleeping. I drank water always and the shakes. After about 4 months I introduced soft fish which was wonderful. Then little bits of soft meats in the 5th and 6th months. I have a problem with potatoes and breads. I rarely eat them at all. They expand or something and are painful so I tend to stay away from them. If I get really desperate I just watch the portions and I'll usually be okay. Now I can eat almost whatever I want but in moderation. Very small amounts but after awhile it doesn't seem so small because I'm full. I'm a cheap date! I cannot tolerate anything over 10 grams of sugar in anything. I cannot drink juice, regular pop, "health juices", gatorade, etc. I cannot eat candybars unless I portion them out over the day, which I have done. Hershey's kisses and semi-sweet chocolate chips are fine. I keep a few around for chocolate cravings. That works well. I did get carried away with diet pop once I found I could tolerate it. I ended up losing energy and got dehydrated from the lack of water and the sodium in the pop. Since I could tolerate popcorn since about the fourth month, I would have pop and popcorn a lot. Terrible combination for your health. Keep the water flowing, it's a must for energy and hydration.

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

Very low for awhile unless I exercised. That is so important and I still struggle with it. You lose muscle mass as well as your body turns on your muscles so to speak. You must work out with weights and to something cardiovascular too.

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

Multivitamins and calcium twice a day, iron, fish oil, and B12 all daily. Plus the protein shake that I try to dring 3-5 times a week.

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 had some hair loss that was not noticeable by anyone but me and I found it was from not enough protein so I simply increased that. I only experienced nausea when I had the dumping syndrome which you get from trial and error. Sometimes you just don't know if you can tolerate it or not - or how much of it - until you try it. I missed one week of work due to stretching out my stomach and bleeding a little. That was scary but once I found out what I had to change eating wise, and got in more vitamins etc. I was okay. However -- if you get sick like with the flu, it's dangerous. I missed two weeks of work due to the effects of the flu, as it totally wipes you out. I couldn't drink my protein shakes, I couldn't keep vitamins down and not enough water in. It was bad. You must take the best care of yourself possible at all times. Eat vegetables, soups, whatever you can to try to keep something healthy in you.

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

The pain, although it was more bearable than I expected and the depression I experienced the first few weeks after. I did get thru it but people other than yourself just don't understand and it's hard for them to help you in this. I just had to get thru it on my own and learn to accept this change. Once I did I embraced it and improved steadily since.

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

I relied on my faith and family/friends. I didn't have time to attend support groups, although I believe they would have been more helpful to me. I had an aunt and a friend who had the same surgery just before me. They were instrumental in helping me as they could understand in ways others could not as to what I was experiencing. It's crucial to have support.

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

My scar is about 4 to 5 inches long. It's pink and about a centimeter wide. It doesn't bother me a bit. I expected worse so I am happy with it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had several plateaus. I expected them, so I knew if I waited them out it would be okay and it always was. Sometimes I would walk at work and that would help speed up the process. I would to from losing nothing to losing 10 pounds immediately. Now at 150, I am plateauing pretty long. I know I must get moving, literally, to get to my goal of 130.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. Big difference and different depending on the person. I mostly get a lot of compliments and that is always nice. Some people are jealous and either find something cruel to say or just avoid me. Some are other obese people who fortunately feel comfortable enough to ask me about it. I like to help them with whatever I can and I love that they consider my experience an inspiration to change their lives. That's the best. My family and friends are wonderful, as they have been since the beginning.