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

I saw a show on Oprah a few years ago. My first thought was that the surgery worked very well for the guest, but that it was too drastic for me at that time. Here I am 3 years later and I no longer feel that it's drastic.

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

My request was submitted to my insurance after my consultation on April 27, 2001. I phoned my insurance company sometime around May 12, 2001 and they told me I was approved. I had no problems whatsoever. I'm sure the credit goes to my surgeon's staff!

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

My first visit consisted of a one-on-one meeting with the surgeon. Then I was moved to a mini-conference room where two other patients joined me. At that point, my surgeon explained the different types of surgery and told us which one he would perform. He told us what to expect after surgery and explained our limitations and what our expectations should be. After this, we had an open question-and-answer session between all of us. This was excellent because some of us asked questions that others didn't think to ask or forgot about. It was very helpful. I would suggest writing down all your concerns and questions and ask the surgeon about them at this time. Not only will you get the answers you're looking for, but they will also help any other patients in the room.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I've tried everything else and nothing worked. I want a real chance at a real life. I'm going to be 38 years old and have been on organized diets since I was 11. I have to give myself a chance now.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The surgeon I chose only does one procedure.

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?

The only fear I have is how my family would respond if I died from the surgery. I'm not at all afraid of complicatons or even death - just the reactions from my family. To me, the worst fear is being overweight for the rest of my life.

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?

Some of my friends and family members are very supportive. The rest of them, including most of the family members I told, don't necessarily agree with my decision, but they respect it and support me.

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

As a result of pre-op testing, a large gallstone was found and the decision was made to remove the gallbladder. The only thing I told my employer was that I was having my gallbladder removed. I probably could have gone back to work after four weeks, but the energy level at that point was not what I would have needed for work. Since my surgeon authorized a six week recovery period, I decided to take it to work up my energy again.

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 3 1/2 days. The first day and a half were fine. I was in PCU and the nurses were great! After that, I was moved to a regular room on the 5th floor. The nurses there were terrible! (Except for one - Shirley). At one point, I wanted to walk and pressed the button for the nurse to come in and unplug my pain pump. It was 45 minutes later when she came in to see what I wanted. At that point, I told her not to bother because I was tired by then and wanted to sleep. The hospital supplied all the bare necessities - toothbrush, toothpaste, etc. I would bring a comb or brush and a small fan. The hospital I was in was extremely warm and the pain meds made me even warmer. I used a fan the entire time I was hospitalized.

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

I didn't have any real complications, but my G-tube was getting very irritated and bothered me. My surgeon told me to remove the sutures holding it in place so that I could get under it better to clean. I only removed one suture and then used Peroxide and anit-biotic ointment. Then I stuck some gauze under it to cushion it. Once that was done, it was much easier to tolerate until the tube was removed.

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 EXSTATIC to learn of my surgery date. I was very excited and couldn't wait. The only real anxiety I had was trying to clean my house and wash all the laundry I had before I went in. I wanted to be able to come home and not have anything that had to be done. I actually started counting down the days when I was one month away!

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

I was very tired and sometimes extremely weak - especially right after I woke up. I couldn't sleep in bed because it was too uncomfortable and sometimes painful. I lived on my sofa for a good 3 1/2 weeks. Once in bed, I could only sleep on my sides. (I'm not a back sleeper or I could have done that too.) As for food, I was on full liquids for 2 weeks after coming home. I tried some creamed soups, but didn't really care for them much. My 3 meals per day consisted mostly of liquid protein drinks. I got really tired of them though and couldn't wait to add some kind of real food to my diet. I didn't get into the shower until 1 week from my surgery. However, the next day, I was very sore. I waited another week for a shower and have been able to take them daily from that time.

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

I traveled about 30 miles for my surgery. It wasn't too bad until I had to come home. There was construction on the road leading to the highway so we took a different route. Although it was also a major road, there were alot of bumps. I had to brace myslef in the passenger seat while watching the surface of the road to prepare to hold my abdomen and incision. We traveled far enough so that we could take another entrance onto the highway. Once on the highway, it was smooth sailing! The only other problem was going back for follow-up and to take out the G-tube. The ride was a little uncomfortable on the way there, but once the tube was out, it was much better for the ride home.

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.

From the time I was allowed to have poultry, I've usually chosen chicken. Sometimes it goes down and stays down just fine. Other times, I just can't tolerate it. It's a hit or miss food. Bread is another issue. I find that I can't tolerate moist breads as well as dryer ones. Hard rolls are the best. I can only handle 1 slice of white bread at a time. I've tried English muffins too and can only eat about 1/2 of the top or bottom piece. Each week, these get a little better though.

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

I didn't do much for at least 2 weeks. Until that point, I only got up to walk to the bathroom and kitchen. Once in a while, I'd walk up and down my hallway to get a little excercise in. After that, I started having more energy and was able to go out. I've gone shopping, to relatives' and friends' houses, picnics and even to the beach a few times. Walking on the beach and boardwalk was great excercise for me.

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

I take a multi-vitamin, calcium-magnesium-zinc, and iron supplements. I'll have to take these for the rest of my life. I did find that the iron constipated me. After about 3 weeks, I was able to eat part of a Metamucil fiber bar (cinnamon apple flavor)per day and that counter-acted it.

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 couldn't sleep for more than a couple of hours at a time, but I would just change positions (ends of the sofa) and would doze off again. Since I didn't have to go to work, it wasn't really a problem. I just slept whenever I was tired. I also experience dumping occasionally. I find that it's usually because I've eaten to quickly or didn't pay attention to when I was full and I overate. This was probably the worse thing. However, for me, when the dumping is at it's worst, I know that it'll be done once I break out in a sweat and have dry heaves (I NEVER vomit). I have experience small belches that resulted in a mouthful of foam. That was pretty gross, but I just spit out the foam in the toilet or sink and it was fine.

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

The worst parts for me was that I got bored with the lack of variety of foods in the first 3 to 4 weeks and the drainage tube really bothered me. Once the tube was out, I felt significantly better.

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

Since I live alone, I had my friend stay with me for a couple of weeks post-op to help me out. Other than that, my family and friends have been very supportive and excited for my progress. I also have two friends who had WLS a while ago, so I ask them any questions that come up. Another friend of mine had WLS 2 months after I did, so I've become a support for her, which in turn, encourages me.

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

I was cut from breastbone to belly button. The incision looked really good immediately post-op (very thin and "clean"). However, the top half of the incision has since become wider and raised. Prior to surgery, that's what I expected. When I saw the insicion after the surgery, I thought it would be better. Now, my primary physician suggests I see a plastic surgery for scar correction.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I think I've hit my first plateau. I've been averaging 8 to 10 pounds loss per 30 days. In the past 30 days, I've only lost 4 pounds. I have lost inches, but not the pounds. I started at 235 and am now 161, so I guess I'm about due for a plateau anyway!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

For the most part, the people that I'm usually around have always been nice to me. Now, the only difference is that they're all commenting on the weight loss and are happy for me.