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

I had looked into bariatric surgery 25+ years ago and was very angry that I would have to gain more weight before I would qualify. I became more seriously interested early this year with an unconscious resolution to start taking charge of myself and areas of problems in my life.

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

Keep fighting for what and who you want and have paid for. No one deserves the network MD. They should get a physician they have complete trust and faith in.

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

Have specific questions written down so you get them all answered. Don't hesitate to delay if you aren't yet ready. Ask the staff if any of their patients could be contacted to talk about their experiences.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I couldn't wipe my butt without doing acrobatics, my glucose was now diabetic level, my energy level was non-existent, and I wheezed like a dragon with mild exercise.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr. Butler only does one type which he has adjusted gradually over 30 years.

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 knew the risks of dying were high for obese people. I had made it without problems through my gallbladder removal. Other fears that I had were a very limited support system to help post op.

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 has a newphew who eventually had his procedure reversed following rapid weight loss and persistent vomiting. I haven't talked with him in detail, but I doubt that he had much support from his physician or his staff. My personal friends surprised my with complete support. I had expected to have most people I know try to talk me out of it and "just follow a good diet". I didn't tell my father until 2 weeks post op because he lives across the county and is elderly. All he would do is worry, which he does anyway. He tells me not to loose too much too fast, which I have no choice over.

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

I told my supervisor a week or ten days prior to surgery after acruing enough time to take off. I'll find out how my coworkers are accepting tomorrow when I go to team meeting. I was allowed 4-6 weeks, I ended up taking 7. I could have returned after 3.

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

Palms of Pasedena was fantastic! They opened a whole wing just for Dr. Butler who nearly fills it with his patients. It was great as a support group to be able to console each other with our common post op complaints. The staff all knew Dr. Butler's routines and personal preferences. I brought my own sleep anpea machine for use. Take loose fitting clothing since it's not fun having tight waist bands on the surgical incision. Take a bathrobe to cover up with while you're walking up and down the halls.

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

The only complication I had was a tape allergy. Only one nurse decided to ignore my statement, so I had some mild blistering from the tape which was replaced the next day.

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 became very anxious. I talked with several friends and told them that I was now commited to surgery. I had been afraid to tell anyone but was very surprised that I was receiving positive support instead of having friends talk me out of the proceedure and "diet" more.

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

An increase of energy and post op incisional pain that lasted a bit longer than I had expected. A lot of anxiety about learning how to eat again with concern about receiving adequate nutrition. Once I let go of getting adequate nutrition and just accepted that my body was doing fine, I had to then let go of eating only a few bites at a time and to eat slowly (over 30 minutes).

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

Dr. Butler works in Altamonte Springs, about 45-90 minutes away depending on the time of day. Palms of Pasedena was 60-75 minutes away. I went religiously to the support meetings in Altamonte for the first 6 months while I adjusted to my new body. Now I go every 3 months. Each time I learn something new that I needed to know.

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 week was only clear liquids. I was a little concerned because we were told to avoid glucoses which are usually high in juices. I was having a lot of diarrhea the first month. The second week was full liquids which gave more choices. I was somewhat frusterated with my inability to take more than a quarter cup of liquids at one time. (My compulsive eating was really being challenged.) The diarrhea continued. Week three was an advancement to soft foods. I understand why babies spit baby food. Vile stuff. It was a time of hit and miss and throwing out wasted food. My taste in food had changed. Foods I used to like didn't sit well. I had occasional nausea with occassional vomiting if I over ate. Week four was regular foods. This was where the learning process was starting. Found out I was lactose intolerant (which later resolved). Was somewhat crazy about trying to understand what my body was telling me, such as: was I nauseated because of the food choice or from overeating the amount of food, etc. Was it the food choice or was I having a dumping reaction. Week five I had finally just given up on the worry and ate bites of new things. Used Glycerna to avoid sugars and milk products. Didn't have much interest in eating too many new things. Somewhere after week eight, I found that I could accept milk products in small doses, which later increased. I avoid red meats all together. I experienced severe nausea with abdominal pain if I take more than 2 bites. My stomach does well with fish, and fair with poultry. Greases can cause nausea and pain depending on how much I consume. I'm more vegetarian because the food sits better with less side effects than animal proteins.

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

I was in the hospital 3 days. The first week it would have been very nice to have a physically capable support person to help me get out of bed and help with bathing and routines chores. My 11 year-old son was very helpful with chores requiring bending. I tired easily due to the pain and discomfort of surgery. Week 2 was much easier. Still hard to bend, but closer than I was. Had some oozing from my wound with daily dressing changes, but energy severely increased and pain decreased. Week 3 I could have returned to work if I had wanted. Took off 7 weeks to enjoy the time and to understand my new body. Week 4 diarrhea was decreasing, energy severely increasing. Eager to go swimming, but wound was not yet closed enough to do so. Constipation had started. Week 7 Learned that I had a milk intolerance and was trying to figure out what I could eat and keep my energy on high. At 6 months, I had learned what I could and couldn't eat. Still had bouts of constipation. Bothered by getting adequate nutrition while taking my vitamins and iron and stool softeners. Those were time consuming before I could squeeze in food. Year one - can eat just about anything and have learned the cues from my body. Nausea and vomiting occur only when I over eat or taking in foods that don't agree (red meats).

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

Have to take vitamins at least twice a day along with iron and stool softeners. Those are manditory. I also supplement with calcium and any antioxident that might be available.

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/vomiting (rarely vomiting) lasted up to three months while I learned what my body could and couldn't accept. Sleep apnea resolved between 3 and 6 months. I had minimal hair loss which occured only when I wasn't taking my vitamins regularly.

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

Dr. Butler has a support group monthly. This was very important (mandator for me by choice) the first 6 months. I went every other month up to the first year. Now I go about every three months. I think it was great preoperatively (I had such feeling of failure, I knew that I would fail this also.) Post op, I learned something new about myself and symptoms and management, that it was very, very supportive while I learned and adjusted to the new me.

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

The car was bigger than expected. Ugly at first, but figure it can be reduced if I should ever be able to affort plastic surgery for my body. My current insurance sucks (Cigna), so they won't pay much of anything, but I'm not very concerned about what my body physically looks like, more the wonderful way it feels.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

The first plateau that I can really call a pleateau was just as I crossed the 200 pound mark. I had lost fairly consistently and rapidly up until then. Suddenly, I slowed to a snail pace. I've lost 20 -25 pounds since then. I'd like to loose another 15-20, but I'm happy with what I have.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Considerably. Within the first two months, I was offered two jobs, and I'm convinced that it's the positive way I feel. My self confidence is higher than I've ever know. My memory has improved and cleared. I like people better and they respond the same.