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

I have always known about the surgeries, but often heard about the failures of some of the older surgeries. I never felt comfortable about rerouting the plumbing. Within the last couple of months I had an online friend die after a botched surgery. She had innumerable complications over a 2 year period. Then while on vacation, a cousin had the surgery and looks/feels wonderful. I wanted something less invasive, and now that is available with the lap-band. As I investigate it, the more excited I am becoming. This does seem to be a realistic answer.

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

The insurance approval happened 4 days after they received the packet. The only difficulty I had was with the psychological evaluation and a doctor who insisted I needed medication for bipolar disorder, which I do not have. I did get a second opinion, and that went through without a hitch.

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

The first visit with the doctor and his staff was really informational. He sat down and discussed both RNY and lap-band very thoroughly. He did seem to lean more towards the RNY, but did feel I'd be a good candidate for the lap-band as well. I had questions written down, and was able to ask the questions, as well as having worked as diligently on my history as I possibly could. I probably provided too much information.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was having major difficulties with pain, mobility, continence, and just my activity level. I didn't feel comfortable with myself any more. After learning about my cousin's success, I consulted with my primary physician, and he encouraged me to follow through. So I did. He has been very supportive throughout the whole process.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I did not want my stomach to be cut into. I have been waiting for a surgery that was far less invasive than the traditional surgeries. My niece had stomach cancer, and she had a reason to have 75% of her stomach removed. She lost her battle in June 2005, 1 year after her diagnosis. My stomach is still healthy, and had no reason to have it cut, folded, stapled or mutilated.

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 did have a friend who died from complications of bypass surgery. I really didn't have any fears, but made plans anyway. I prepared my Power of Attorney and Living Will paperwork. My biggest fear is that I wouldn't get the surgery I wanted (the doc's would decide to do RNY instead of Lap-Band. I would suggest that before any major surgery to have those documents in place, because you simply don't know what can happen. I have had no post-op complications.

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?

Most of my friends have been supportive, although in the beginning a few weren't. As they saw just how serious I was about it, they seem to actually be more excited than I am. It's only been a week after surgery and some of my supports have disappeared, especially when I needed to get something from the store. That was rough.

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

My supervisor is very supportive. I was back to work in one week. It was rough, but also between the holidays so, I needed to be in the office anyway.

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 36 hours all told. In general the hospital stay wasn't bad. The clear liquids leave a lot to be desired! It was very important to bring comfy slippers, and a small pillow (one of those new squishy pillows) to put behind my neck. It made all the difference in the world! Most of the staff was quite attentive, however, the 3rd shift was a bit of a problem, that's when I had difficulties.

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

I didn't have surgical complications, but had a reaction to the medication that they almost sent me home with. I vomitted about every 2 hours for the entire night. I was asking for meds after each incident. The nausea was so fast, I couldn't do anything, but let it happen. The fear was that all the vomiting had caused damage to the band, but the GI showed no problems. I waited until late in the afternoon before I went home.

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 in preparation mode. I did have a binge the week before I started the liquid diet. I didn't get overly excited or anxious. The day before, was the most anxiety... questioning if this was the right thing to do. I also knew I wasn't turning back.

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

The first week was the hardest with the clear liquids. I also wasn't driving due to my medications so couldn't get out. My neighbor helped me get some popcicles (I had run out) which were my mainstay. I went to work the next week, but Monday went home early due to pain. It was a little frustrating going from phase to phase, but it was important to be creative with my soups and other foods. I will always love cream of wheat and malt-o-meal.

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

The hospital and clinic are about 30 minutes away from home. 45 minutes from work.

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.

Right after surgery, no foods smelled good. They tasted ok, but the smell just got to me. I have been able to eat most everything, except mostly after a fill. I can always tell when I need a new fill because I can eat everything and always too much of everything. I cannot use ANY artificial sweeteners, so do use sugared items.

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

I had signed up for the National Body Challenge by the Discovery Channel last year, and at a month out of surgery was walking the treadmill with my membership at Bally's, soon progressing to the water aerobics.

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

Active Kids children's vitamins, or as well as injected B-12.

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?

So far the only nausea and vomiting were in the hospital in the first 24 hours. I have not experienced any hairloss, maybe an addition.

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

The first psychological evaluation and waiting. The slow progress with the band has been a real challenge, but it's not the worst thing.

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

I belong to several email lists at yahoo. Two of them are local... Milwaukee WLS and Milwaukee Bandsters. I think the supports are very important to me. I have learned both positives and negatives of the respective surgeries as well as some of the things to expect.

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

The little dipper. No, I expected it to be 5 spots on both sides of the abdomen. After a year, one has virtually disappeared and the others appear to follow soon. The largest scar is barely visible. I'm very pleased.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

It's been a big plateau, but it's ok. I need to work on my personal issues before I can progress. I've not been overly agressive with getting fills either, and probably should be more proactive. I will be this coming year.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really. Some people do comment on how my clothes fit, or that they can see a figure coming out.