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

Totie Fields (wow I just dated myself!). I believe that she had stomach stapling, and I was too young to understand what that was. Carnie Wilson's story brought it out into the open recently, then I researched it via websites like this one. My initial impression of Carnie Wilson was "wow, wouldn't it be nice to have that surgery? But I can't afford that." But thanks to this web site, I found out that Kaiser does cover the surgery!!

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

My HMO, Kaiser Permanente, covers the procedure if you meet their criteria. Find out what the criteria are from their website, and get your PCP to refer you to the program. Educate yourself about the Kaiser way by joining Kaiser support groups (in person or online). The wait seems long, but jumping through their hoops helps you learn about yourself and prepare yourself for the surgery.

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

It was great. He was very knowledgeable. Know your stuff and don't be afraid to ask questions. Write all your questions down and refer to your notes during the visit so you get all of your questions answered.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Carnie Wilson's story. Then I did research, attended some support group meetings to educate myself. Hearing about everyone's success stories and struggles made me decide that this was for me.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Kaiser offers Open and Lap RNY. I had lap because that's what the surgeon recommended. Open or Lap didn't matter to me, as long as I had the surgery.

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?

Share your fears with support groups. I was afraid of it all, but had faith in God. With my family and support groups, it all went fine. I also got all my papers in order and had a Will drawn up just to be safe.

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?

I chose to tell a select few. Family has been great, but I lost 3 friends post-op, two of whom are morbidly obese. They just seemed to be jealous and non-supportive and didn't even call me in the hospital. But it's their loss. They've had the same opporunity to have wls, but they are all talk and no action. I will not be poisoned by their bitterness.

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

My employer was unsympathetic, but my supervisor was great and helped me get all my paperwork in order to have the time off to have the surgery and recover. I told my supervisor everything. He is a great support person. I was out of work three weeks.

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

Hospital stay was fine. I was there 2 days. The most important thing for me was Lever 2000 wipes. My surgeon did not let me take a shower for a week, so these wipes were very handy in keeping clean and fresh.

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

I had no complications at all.

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 excited and scared. I talked about me feelings and went to support groups.

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

There was some discomfort, but I remained active. I started exercising lightly 3 days post-op with my surgeon's approval. The most important thing at this point is to keep hydrated. Sip, sip and sip your water!

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

Twenty miles. Aftercare has not been a problem. However, my aftercare has shifted back to my PCP. She's very happy with my progress.

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 followed the doc's food stages as outlined in Kaiser's bariatric binder. Now, 6 months out, I make sure that I eat mostly protein with a few fruits, veggies and carbs. Off limits foods: breads, pastas, rice. I have no dumping syndrome and can eat just about anything, but in very tiny portions. I had no complications, and my dietary tolerance didn't change week-to-week or month-to-month.

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

Three days post-op, I began to get back into my exercise routine: treadmill, free weights and toning. However, it was at a slow pace with minimum strain. By three weeks out, I was back to my pre-op pace, and soon I surpassed my pre-op pace (4 weeks out). Now, six months out, I do strenuous exercise: 30 minute jog, 15 lbs dumbells (10 movements, 15 reps each), and 100 situps/crunches a day. I was back to work in three weeks. I've never been in better shape.

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

2 Flintstones chewable vitamins per day. 1300 mg calcium citrate per day. 1 sublingual vitamin B12 twice per week.

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?

Hair loss has been the worse because the other symptoms were non-existent or minimal. The hair loss stated about 4 months out and seems to be tapering off now in my 6 month post-op. I coped with it by talking to support groups to find out if this had happened to others (yes, it had!). Sharing made me feel like I wasn't alone in this, and in fact, when it happened I was prepared because I knew that it was a possible side effect of the weight loss caused by the surgery.

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

Waiting 9 months for surgery and jumping through all the hoops in Kaiser Permanente's process. It was necessary, but not fun. However, now in retrospect, it seems like time wizzed by!

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

I see my PCP twice a year and email her with concerns. I also attend monthly support groups meetings and belong to online support groups. The support groups are extremely important to me.

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

My scar is 4.5 inches long, .25 of an inch wide. It's smaller that I expected, but it's still rather pinkish (6 months post-op). I'm told that the pink color will fade in time.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Three months post-op, I hit a plateau and did not lose anything for a month. However, during that time, I continued to lose inches (I lost 3 inches off my waist during that time). I exercise rather strenuously, so I'm sure that I gained muscle while losing fat, it just didn't show on the scale. The weight loss from 4 to 6 months post-op has slowed, but I continue to lose inches--a total of 14 inches off my waist in a year.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes! People treat me better. Some co-workers have commented that I have such a positive energy now (I kind of resent that comment, but maybe it's because I'm not in constant pain anymore). People in public flirt openly with me now (that's still uncomfortable), and I've even gotten some free stuff/discounts at stores from flirty counter-people. I even had to turn in a temp employee who tried to kiss me at work. He got fired for doing that! It is weird to be considered attractive. Someone called me a "tasty morsel." My boss (a rather attractive man) told me that it comes with the territory and to just enjoy the benefits it brings. I don't know if I'll ever get used to it.