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

I first heard about it through Carnie Wilson giving it so much publicity. I first thought it was very drastic but thought that it was maybe something I could do. I did a little research and then just forgot about it. Until I saw her on the cover of People magazine and she looked fantastic! I cried when I saw her and read her story, that is when I knew that I had to do this. I related to every single one of her battles (except the one about having a rich, famous father lol) and figured if she could do this, so could I. At that point I did all the research on the procedure and researched surgeons in my area as well as got as much insurance information as I could.

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

I had met my surgeon informally a few weeks prior to my consult with him. But my initial visit in the office was fine. I really didn't have any questions as I had researched it very thoroughly prior to even finding my surgeon. I probably could've told him abou the procedure lol. The only question I had for my surgeon was what his mortality rate was. Fortunately, it was miniscule. If I were someone going for the first time, I would write down every possible question and bring it with me to that consult. It is very important that you know all sides of this surgery before you have it. There is nothing more invaluable than being informed.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had already decided to have the surgery before I was even approved for it.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I always knew I wanted the RNY Lap. I didn't want scars on a belly that I had hoped would be thin enough to show off in a bathing suit some day. I made my decision on which surgeon to have based on the ability to do the procedure lap. I was even willing to, unnecessarily, pay an out of pocket $2,000 to a surgeon so that he would do it lap. Fortunately, I found Dr. English who only does the procedure lap without extra charge, unless it proves too difficult.

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 no fear of dying from the surgery, but at the rate I was going...if I didn't have the surger I wasn't going to live very long either. MY PCP had just told me that if I had gained anymore weight he thought that I would have diabetes by the end of the year. I was afraid of complications, but I knew that any complications I could've had (leakage) could be fixed. Fears are natural when having any type of surgery, especially when you add the factor of obesity in the mix. I looked at it like I was so unhealthy at 270lbs that I was slowly killing myself and if I was meant to die on the table, then there wasn't much I could do about it. I had to take the risk.

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 were wonderful! Everyone was so supportive. My mom and dad at first were hesitant because they thought it was drastic. They wanted to know if it was necessary and did I really 'try everything'? I explained to them, that I must be at my wits end to go for something so drastic. I didn't want to tell anyone about it until I had been approved, but since I'm a blabber mouth, I told everyone before. People asked a lot of pertinent questions about the surgery, some I hadn't even thought of. I thought that was pretty good. After my surgery everyone is still the same. My parents, especially my dad, is 100% behind the surgery now as he has seen the drastic results and how much happier I am now. Everyone is so supportive and willing to listen to me blather on and on about my weight loss.

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

My employer and co workers were wonderfully supportive. Which was good because I was out of work for 2 weeks and they had to cover for me. I told them what I was doing and they have all been supportive. In fact, they are probably glad I had the surgery because now I only miss work when I have a check up with my surgeon every 6 weeks! Before surgery I was so depressed and sluggish and feeling ill all the time, I probably missed a day a week in work...which they would have to cover me on.

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

My stay in the hospital was fine. Aside from feeling crappy cuz I just had surgery it wasn't bad. The hospital I had my surgery in was Florida Medical Center and they have a wing dedicated to patients of the WLS, all the nurses are specifically trained to deal with WLS patients. I'm sure it helps that my surgeons partner was chief of surgery there at some point. I got to the hospital on 6/4/01 at 6 AM. I brought with me, slippers and a robe and a big dress to wear home. I would bring chap stick with me if I had to do it again, my lips were really dry. I would also bring my own pillow. The beds were big with those bars above them to help lift yourself up to get out of bed. They also had these big reclining chairs in the rooms, which were actually more comfortable than the bed. I also had my own room. I was discharged on 6/6/01, two days later. I was up and walking that day and had BM that morning. The previous day I had the upper GI to check for leaks, fortunately there were none. YAY!

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

Thankfully, I had no complications from surgery. Not even naseau from the anesthesia.

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 anxious, I wanted the date to get there so fast. I was ready to go. I was ready to begin this new stage of my life. Oddly, I wasn't nervous, it's like I knew I was doing the right thing.

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

I travelled about 15 minutes. It's a 15 minute trip from my door to my surgeons office and the hospital.

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.

Hmmmm, what can't I eat. Well, my surgeon says NO sugar, coconut, celery and corn. I think that's all I can't eat. Oh, and no red meat until 6 months post op. Now if you want to know what I have trouble eating, that list is longer lol. For some reason, eggs are not appealing to me at all since my surgery. It's also really hard to eat chicken, it's just so dry and hard to swallow. When I do swallow it, it feels like it's just stuck in my throat. I just had an egg for the first time since week 2 pureed the other day and I'm almost 3 mths post op. I made an egg and cheese omlette, it went down ok I guess. My tolerance for foods is fine provided I don't eat too fast. I find when I eat too fast, I sometimes throw it up. It's not because of WHAT I'm eating as it is about HOW FAST I'm eating. I also find that I am never hungry and my desire for food is really gone. THis is not a bad thing, cuz now my desire to binge is gone. Really odd, cuz that was my coping mechanism for so long. I guess now I really have to feel these emotions huh?

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

Ok, the first week I did NOTHING but sit on my butt. Which is NOT recommended. You're supposed to be up and walking. I didn't, but not because I couldn't due to pain, I am just plain lazy lol. Plus, I live in South FLorida and it was HOT as hell so I didn't want to go outside. You can't bend or stretch either. The second week things were easier and I could bend down to put the leashes on the dogs so I took them out for little walks around, not too much though. Third week I went back to work and was really tired so the exercise wasn't happening. I probably didn't begin exercising until like a month post op and even then it was just walking. I'm almost 3 months out now and I'm exercising at least 5 or 6 times a week. Tae Bo, swimming, walking the dogs are all things I do now. I don't want to be flabby.

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

Every day I take a multi vitamin plus iron. I take B12 supplements and calcium @ 1000 mg a day. I also take zinc so that I can assist in NOT losing my hair. So far, so good *knocks on wood*.

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?

Hmmm, the only side effect I've had is a little nauseua which is very rare and vomiting. I only vomit when I eat too fast. I know immediately if I've eaten too fast and if it's gonna stay down. As far as dumping is concerned, I'm too scared to find out what it's like. My surgeon says don't have more than 4-5g of sugar in any serving, so I don't. So far, I've avoided dumping. The ice cream or cake or cookie just isn't worth it to me to find out how sick I can get. They make sugar free cookies, ice cream and cakes if I really need a sweet fix. With my new tastes, even crystal lite iced tea is too sweet to drink.

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

The worst part is giving up the bread. It's not that I can't ever have bread, cuz I can, but there is no nutritional value in it for me and it fills my stomach up and I don't get the necessary protein in. I miss having sandwiches. I had my birthday in August and I didn't even miss the birthday cake! It probably helped that no one offered to make or buy me one lol.

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

My surgeons office has an online support group and our monthly post op meetings. Both are very helpful and important, IMO. The online group is great. Both pre and post ops interact. We all share our experiences and triumphs. It's nice to know you have commonality when it comes to something like this. It's comforting to know that you're not the only one who hits a plateau, or that chicken makes you feel like yakking.

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

I have 6 very small incisions scattered around my abdomen. It is exactly what I expected and they are healing very nicely. THey are still red and I'm almost 3 months post op. I showed my surgeon and he said that's how they're supposed to look at this point. So, I'm happy so far. They don't hurt and they don't seem to be staying hard.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Ugh, this is a sore spot with me. I have hit 2 plateaus and am in one of them now. This one has been lasting 3 weeks!!! In that time I've only lost 5 lbs. I think I don't eat enough calories and drink enough water. I have my meeting with my surgeon this week so I will mention this to him. I talked to the dietician and she gave me a few suggestions to up my calorie intake.