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

A couple of women at work had the surgery and they looked and felt normal.

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

If your BMI is in the acceptable surgery range you shouldn't have a problem. If you are diagnosed with Morbid Obesity due to medical conditions, don't be shot down by the initial denial. I believe that they will probably always deny the first time in this case. Appeal.

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

Dr. Dickerman was very straight-forward on the first visit. He had arranged a prior meeting with the Dietician that he works with so that I would be prepared for post-op. He thoroughly explained the surgery and the expected results. He was very easy going with me, but has a reputation with his peers as a perfectionist, which I saw as a positive.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was ready to have the surgery. I didn't see or hear anything that discouraged me.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr. Dickerman said that he only performs the open type of Roux-En-Y. He explained why during the initial visit. I accepted his reasoning.

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 had all of my ducks in a row prior to the surgery. I have had several surgical procedures and am aware that there is always a risk. I did expect to experience nausea, vomiting and diarrhea in the post-op weeks, but have pleasantly not had any of those symptoms. I had also expected that those might be life-long symptoms that I would just have to live with. I now don't believe that will be the case.

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 friends and family said everything they could to discourage me. They were all very supportive during and after the procedure, even congratulating me on my courage for going through the surgery.

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

They are never happy when you request time off. They, of course, interpret it as a cosmetic surgery. It really is none of their business. Federal Law allows an employee time off to recover from a serious illness. My employer requires confidential approval through the Medical department. I could say as much or as little as I wanted to others. I tried to keep the type of surgery confidential, but ended up telling others after the first surgery date was cancelled due to the insurance denial. I expect to be out of work for five weeks.

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

The recovery was by far the worst part of this procedure, however Methodist Medical Center in Dallas was a great place to be. They very effectively handled the pain management. Everyone was pleasant and competent. The most important thing to bring is a positive attitude.

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

I have had no complications from the surgery.

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 did not feel any anxiety after I got my surgery date, just anticipation.

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

The first two weeks after my surgery were typical post-op. Learning how and what to eat was the biggest challenge. I was swimming laps during the third week.

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

I traveled 25 miles to have the surgery.

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.

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 will answer this question in reverse: I can eat anything that I want now (after one year). I can only eat very small amounts of anything fatty, like meat; breads; rice, as it swells after it is eaten; anything sugary. Remember that at first, once you have swallowed it, it is too late. The feeling is not pleasant if you ingest too much. I had a terrible sweet and chocolate habit pre-op. I don't even crave sweets or chocolate post-op, not even a little. My mind occasionally wants sweets, but sugar makes me feel terrible, often requiring me to "sleep it off". Interestingly, I can eat a whole bag of microwave popcorn? I have found it to be a good and filling snack. I now crave fruit and vegetables. It is great!

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

I mentioned earlier that I was swimming laps three weeks after surgery. I was a swimmer pre-op. I can't even believe my energy level post-op. It is just so much easier to move around without that extra 103 lbs.

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

What vitamins and/or dietary supplements have you taken since your surgery? I take Caltrate for calcium; a daily multiple vitamin; but most importantly to me has been Omega 3 Fatty Acids. The biggest asthetic change, other than the body size, has been the changes in my face. My theory is that because I eat so little fat, my face began to look like a raisin instead of a grape. The wrinkles showed up with a vengeance. I spoke to my GP about this and she recommended drinking water all day long, and an Omega 3 Fatty Acids supplement. The change is drastic. I was relatively wrinkle free pre-op (I am 44 yrs. old) and now am back to very few visible wrinkles. Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair for face and eyes, Lipzone (for lips), and also the Visible Lift face cream have helped greatly.

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 have probably vomited twenty times since my surgery, including in the first couple of weeks post-op. Nausea is a definite result of eating too much, too fast. I have not had any sleep disturbance. Dumping has only been a problem if I eat too much fat, and has only happened about five times. I did lose some hair. I had very long hair pre-op, but cut it very short after it would look ok with a smaller body. The hair loss has stopped and I love my new look.

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

The worst part of this process was the week before the surgery when I could only consume clear liquids; and then the week of the surgery dealing with the pain and usual post-op experience. I have had several major surgeries and this was by far the most uncomfortable recovery. I went back to work after six weeks and was able to bounce right back into daily life.

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

I have no aftercare support group/program, only my family and friends. I have had to re-introdue myself to virtually all of my co-workers, which has been a great therapy.

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

My scar is 8 inches from my breastbone to my navel. It has healed well. I already had scars from breast surgery and a hysterectomy, so this one just connected the dots!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I plateaued after 98 lbs. lost!! I stayed at that weight for about 30 days, but have finally broken 100 lbs. lost and am at my goal weight of 145 lbs.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People treat me very differently now and often comment that they cannot imagine me 100 lbs. overweight. Men are definitely paying more attention.