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

My family physician approached me with the ideal. At first I was scared because it seemed to be an extreme answer to my problem. I spoke with my family and the decision was made.

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

It took me almost 5 months to get insurance approval. Insurance required that there be three health problems directly related to obesity before they would even consider. Several pre-op test were required. Persistance pays off.

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

It was scary. I didn't know what to expect or even what to ask. He explained everything. I would recommend that you write down all the questions you have before the visit and take them with you. I was lucky and my surgeon answered all my questions as I came upon them. I could call his office and either he would come to the phone or he would call me back.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My family physician told me that if I couldn't get my bloodpressure under control that I was headed for a stroke or heart attack. My family has a history of heart disease and I wanted to live long enough to see my children graduate and possible to see grandchildren one day.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon only does one.

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 worried most about colasped lungs. My asthma was severe and that bothered me most. The only thing I could recommend is to pray and trust in your doctor and his abilities.

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?

At first my family was not for the surgery. But once I made the decision to go ahead with it they were all very supportive. There are a few family members who now say that they don't think the surgery was worth all the pain and sickness I've had to deal with. I disagree. I am a much healthier and happier person.

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

My surgery date was scheduled and I was pre-approved for the medical leave that I took. I was out of work for 3 weeks. Then about 6 months post-op I had problems with my protein. I had to have a feeding tube inserted into my pouch and missed 6 weeks of work. Agin the time from work was pre-approved; I went back to work and after 3 days was fired. I thought this was very unfair and I would make sure that your employer knows all the details about what you are doing and make sure that you will be able to work with them. It would be nice to think that your health was as important to them as it is to you but that is not usually the case.

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

I don't remember a lot about the hospital stay. I was in ICU step-down unit for 3 days. Bring support with you.

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

None from surgery. Protein malnutrion 6 months post-op. Had feeding tube inserted and learned to watch more carefully the foods that I ate.

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 was very anxious. I couldn't wait to get it overwith. I dealt with it by eating more. I tried to cram in all the things I knew I wouldn't be able to eat after the surgery. As a result I gained an extra 10 pounds. My family began to question my decision and that didn't help. I just stuck to my guns and before I knew it the day was upon us.

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

The first few weeks were very difficult. I was sick a lot. I had a lot of pain. I tried to eat things that I couldn't eat. It was very hard to change eating habits. I had a lot of trial and error. Seems like more error than trial. But I learned.

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

Johnson City is about 60 miles from my house. It is a pain in the butt to have to drive an hour to the doctor. I have kind of gotten used to it now. It has not affected my aftercare at all. My doctor has since moved to Paris Tn. That is 5 hours from my home and I intend to go there to continue with my follow up care.

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 I couldn't eat anything. I was on liquids for 2 months. Then I started slowly experimenting with other foods. Dairy products are and always have been off limits for me. I also found out that lemon slushes the day home from the hospital was a big mistake. It went straight through. I could only eat a few bites to start and now I am up to almost 4 ounces. I pay attention to my body and when I feel full I quit. It helps to get away from the food when you are full. If not you will overeat and be misserable. When I am done, I will always remove the food from in front of me. This way I am not tempted to over eat.

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

At first I did nothing. Then after a few weeks I began to walk. I worked my way up to 2 miles a day. Healing is slow and if you rush it you will pay for it in the long run.

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

I take a multi-vitamin every day. I am now taking vitamin A for hair loss. I also tried different protein drinks from GNC.

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?

Nausia and vomiting were the worst for me. I couldn't keep anything down for what seemed like forever. I began to think things would never return to normal. I have stock in Pepto-Bismol. (Just kidding.) I whinned a lot and talk to my doctor a lot and learned what I could and couldn't eat and how much. Trial and error.

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

For me the worst part has been that other people have trouble accepting me now. People who were good friends before now won't talk to me or avoid me. I have changed on the outside but not on the inside. It hurts to think that people are so shallow.

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

We have a support group at the office once a month. It has been very helpful. Makes you feel like you are not alone in the world. I also discovered the ObesityHelp site and it has been my lifeline. There were many times when I felt like no one in the world knew what I was going through. I hate when someone says to me, "You took the easy way out." If this was the easy way then I would hate to see the hard way. There has been nothing easy about it. It has taken a lot of decipline and learning. I am one of those people who had to have the choice of eating taken out of my control. It was the only way for me. Some people can't understand that. I could quit smoking but I couldn't stop eating. I needed help. I stil need help. That is why I attend every support group meeting I can. I will always need help and support.

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

The original scar was huge. It was ugly. I didn't expect it to be so bad. I have since had hernia repair and a tummytuk and the scar is not so bad now.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I haven't experienced any plateaus. I have had a steady weight loss from the get go. There were times when I was disappointed not to have lost more than I did. My doctor would reassure me that I was doing fine and I would go home and exercise more.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

WOW! Do they ever. Women will make eye contact now. Men hold doors open. Sales people flock to me in stores. None of these things happend when I was 250lbs.