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

When my doctor first suggested WLS, I said no, because I knew that I should be able to lose the weight by myself. I did not want surgery of any kind! Too scary!

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

Medical Mutual wanted a lot of information from my PCP. They especially wanted a diet history. Doctor Hess's office worked hard to get the OK for the surgery. I obtained letters from ALL the specialists that I had seen during my life stating that the surgery was necessary and why. It took a couple of months before the approval came through. What ever you do, DON'T GIVE UP!

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

I went to a seminar to learn about the types of surgery and the Bilio-Pancreatic with duodenal switch that Dr. Hess helped perfect and performed.When I went to his office for the first meeting, I had to watch a video about the surgery and he explained what the procedure would be and what to expect. He video taped the visit. Bring questions,written down with you and also someone else to listen, if at all possible. Dr. Hess was very nice and professional, but you don't remember everything. He also gave me a lot of material to read on the procedure and what happens after the surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

9/11 happened. I had been comtemplating the surgery for a while, but after 9/11 I knew that nothing in this life is certain. I had always wanted to be thin; my diabetes was out of control; blood pressure was increasing;I was very irritable.As a teacher, I knew I had to do something. Diets weren't helping anymore. There was nothing left to try, except surgery. I knew I couldn't do it on my own. I needed help.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr. Hess had over 90% success rate with this surgery. My brother and some people from church had had his surgery and were succeeding at losing the weight.

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 not worried about complications, and if I died, I wouldn't worry about being fat anymore. I knew that God would be with me no matter what happened.

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?

Many people in my family were against it. They said that God made me the way I was; if I just tried harder I could loose the weight on my own. After the surgery, part would not even come to see me. I relied a lot on my friends. My sister took care of me for the first 3 months after surgery, until I could do things on my own. The rest of the family started to come around after the weight came off and I went back to work. Part still don't understand why I had it.

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

I taught, so I had the sick days built up to take. I could either miss 2 weeks at the end of the year and have the summer to recuperate or possibly miss the beginning of the next year. The pricipal and I both agreed that the end of the year would be easier on the class.The principal had gone to one of Dr. Hess's seminars for her husband, so she knew about it.)I missed 2 weeks of school. My surgery was on May 29,2003.

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

I was in the hospital for one week after surgery. It was OK. By the end of the week, I really wanted something more than clear liquids, but knew that I had another two weeks before I could move to soft foods. I needed things to do to keep my mind occupied: sketching, word puzzle books, books to read(don't bring anything dealing with murders!).

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

No complications.I was in the hospital for one week after surgery. Could not go home until I had an x-ray of stomach to make sure there were no leaks.

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 wanted to get this over, but ,since I was teaching at the time, there was no time to really think about the surgery. I had to get the year ended and put away early, plus have plans for the last week for a sub to follow. I was very busy! My surgery was May 29, 2003.

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

For 2 months, I felt horrible. Everything tasted terrible. (I was told that this was from the being out for so long during the surgery.) I would try to eat and vomit. Snow cones tasted very good. After the first two months, everything got much better.

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

I lived about 16 miles from the hospital, so I was allowed to go home as long as someone was with me or checking on me. My sister and mother lived about a tenth of a mile from my house.

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.

The first month, I was only allowed liquids, but even water tasted funny. My friends bought me an ice crusher so I could have snow cones and my brother bought me every kind of pop sicle he could find. When I started eating, everything made me vomit the first time I tried it. After a few weeks, I would try it again and it would stay down. Pork, except ham, I still can't eat. I am lactose intolerant, so I can't havew too much milk. Rice and pasta have to be cooked completely or they swell and cause some distress. Eggs give me a lot of gas.

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

At first, it was all I could do to get out of bed or the recliner and use the bathroom. After a few weeks, stitches out,I started to walk on my porch. Then I kept walking more each week until I was up to a mile every day. This continued even after I started teaching again. Within 3 months I was doing most things . No heavy lifting or awkward stetching.

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

Allergy A&D, Calcium Citrate,Klor-con,Iron, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Multi-vitamin, Vitamin B Complex, Folic Acid

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?

For the first month, I slept in a recliner because the nauseawould be worse if I laid down. The vomitting happened the 2nd month as I told you in #6. About 4 months out, hair loss started. My beautician had had the surgery and told me to eat more protein. It helped, but if I don't eat the protein, hair loss starts again. The big problem that I have had since 1 month post-op is being cold all the time. My hands get so cold that people don't want to shake my hand. At times, my whole body is so cold and I can't even get warm using an electric blanket. This is the one side effect no one seems able to help me with. It can be 80 degrees outside and I am still so cold that I wear sweats.

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

No one told me about the kidney stones, anemia, and osteopenia that developed. The doctors I have talked to have blamed it all on the surgery. But my biggest concern is being cold.

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

I attend a support group at Wood County Hospital in Bowling Green, OH. For me this is very important because I get answers to my questions and help others. I don't feel so alone and that no one really cares.

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

My scar goes from the base of my sterum to my pelvic area. Dr. Hess explained what the incison and surgery would be like. Plus I watched his video about after care and read the many papers and booklets he gave me.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

At 180lbs. I hit a plateau. It has been a fight to loose anymore weight and keep it off. I know I have to cut the carbs and exercise more, but the winter is very hard for getting out of the house. The rest of the year I can be outside.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

My sister, who took care of me for the two months right after surgery, saw me at WalMart and didn't recognize me until I talked to her. Other people have no idea who I am. People don't stare at me like I am some kind of a monster.