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

Checked it out about 15 years ago but at that time I was still young enough that I felt I could lose weight on my own. And at that time it seemed so drastic and I was too scared.

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

I had no problem getting approval from my insurance but I do thank God I did it when I did because as of 1/1/04 they no longer will cover the surgery.

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

Went very well. He answered all my questions. I was a little surprised to find out all the pre-testing you had to go through.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

This was my last best chance to try and lead a normal life and quite hiding.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After a lot of research.

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?

Of course there is always the fear of dying but I figured that if I didn't do this now I would be dead anyway. The fear was there but the day before surgery I had a watsu (warm water massage) and a massage to relax me. It worked!

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 very supportive and they were there for me the whole time and have been since.

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

Retired

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

I was up and walking about 3-4 hours after surgery. I was only in the hospital a day and a half. Bring lip balm.

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

No

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

About 2 weeks out my energy level fell through the floor for about 3 weeks. After that I felt great and didn't feel any anxiety.

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

As usual I pushed the envelope. I tried eating something only 3 weeks out and paid for it by puking over and over again. Not fun! Also got my Actigal pill stuck about week 4 and that was a whole lot of ouch! After that I started putting it in my protein drink.

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

NA

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.

Couldn't eat beef until about 4 months out. Or salads until about 6 months out. I can tolerate small amounts of sugar but know not to push it. Also small amounts of alcohol. I can eat just about anything I want now at 7 months out.

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

Activity level was near none for about the first month. After I got my energy level back I was going to the pool 5 days a week for water aerobics and walking about 2-3 miles a day.

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

A protein drink every morning, calcium, multi vitamins, B12.

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?

Vomiting almost every day for the first 3 months. No dumping yet and no hair loss (yet).

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

I can't think of any really bad parts about the whole process. Nothing that I feel was too terrible about and I could get through.

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

The support group we have here in Bend is amazing. There are some truely wonderful people who attend and they are a big part of my life now. We meet twice a month and have guest speakers on all kinds of subjects.

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

Only 5 little incisions and they are no problem.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Actually I haven't hit a plateau yet but I'm sure it is coming at some point.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes.