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

When Rosanne Barr had her surgery I started to pay a little closer attention. Personally I thought she looked pretty bad, so I had a pretty bad opinion of the surgery. Then I had 2 friends who went through it, they have both lost tons of weight, although one of them had major complications and now has brain damage. It is a miracle that she is with us today. My first impression was not so good... but I started doing research and have met so many people with success stories. Now I truly feel this is my second chance at life.

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

I asked around to see which insurances ususally approved... Then I changed insurance companies so I wouldn't have to go through any hassles. I would advice research about your insurance company, and if they usually don't approve, change to one who will. For me I had to wait a whole year until I could switch, but I feel it was well worth it. It has taken 1 1/2 months from consultation to surgery date. Not one single problem with my insurance company. I would recommend going with a PPO or POS rather than an HMO if possible. That way you go directly to your surgeon consultation and do not need to go through a primary care physician and get a referral and all that stuff.

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

My first visit with the surgeon was great. He explained everything, including risks. He seemed to really care about his patients as an individual. The one thing I regret is not writing down all of my questions. It is very overwhelming learning all of this information and when he finished and asked me if I had any questions I could not think of one lousy question! Now I have tons and I'm writing them all down.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I have researched nearly 2 years, have seen friends go through it, seen both good and bad. I have prayed continuously and continue to recieve "signs" from above that this is the path that I should take. I have faith that God is leading me in the right direction.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I read up on all procedures and decided the DDS would work the best for me. I am one of the "larger" Weight Loss Patients and I think this surgery is the tool I need to lose the most weight and keep it off. I will still be able to eat sugar, as with the Rny I could not, which works for me because I've never had much of a problem with sweets. My problem is fats, which the DS takes care of.

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 am still having these fears... I would say pray pray pray. That's what I've been doing. I pray that I am making the right decision.. and then I get a date for prelim testing, then surgery date.... these to me are signs that this is what I should be doing. I have asked for signs that I should not go for the surgery and have not recieved one. Have faith in the Lord, and he will lead you in the right direction.

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?

Initially everyone was a little freaked out. One friend that had a lap RNY came close to death, and she now has brain damage, Her sister also had the surgery and has lost nearly 200 lbs. I have printed out anything possible to educate my family and friends, so they will understand how important it is to me. I think anyone with the knowledge of weight loss surgery is much more likely to be supportive. If someone isn't supportive I just shower them with knowledge until they come around!!

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 supervisor are both extremely supportive. I have surgery next week and I just found out a couple of days ago. Even on short notice they are happy for me and wished me luck. I am told I will be out of work for 8 weeks, if there are no complications.

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

The hospital stay was good, as far as being in the hospital goes. I was at USC University Hospital in Los Angeles. All of the nursed were very helpful and friendly. I found that I really didn't need to bring a lot from home. I had a walkman that came in handy to block out all the hospital noise, but really, all you need is something to change into for the trip home, and maybe a bathrobe and slippers to walk the corridors in.

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

I am now 16 days post op, and have had no complications. My surgeon said it went very well and was "text book procedure."

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 actually had little time from when I got my surgery date. I only had 1 1/2 week to prepare. I had been anxious since approval, so this helped alot. I was glad to not have several weeks to worry about it. I wrote letters to my family before surgery, and made sure all my bills were paid and everything was in order. This helped my anxiety the most.

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

The day I got home from the hospital I felt better. I got so much more rest in familiar surrounding. I took advantage of the pain medication that was prescribed to me, and rested quite a bit for about 5 days. By 10 days post op I was going stir crazy and needed to get out of the house. I went to a friend's candle party, and the next day I was out grocery shopping!

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

I live in Sac, Ca, and traveled to Los Angeles. It takes about 6 hours or so. The ride home wasn't too bad, I took my pain medication right before we left. We had to stop about every 1 or 2 hours for restroom breaks, but all in all, it went pretty well. I will have to go back once every 3 months for the next year. We are actually getting quite used to the trip, so I don't foresee it as being a problem.

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.

Now, I am only 2 1/2 weeks post op, and find that so far I don't have a problem with many things. Even dairy, in moderation seems to settle okay. I can't eat very much, and have to chew chew chew, but just about everything seems tolerable so far, unless I eat to fast, then it comes right back up.

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

By day 12 I was out and about.. I went to a candle party at a friends house, went grocery shopping... and was driving. It was tiring that first day, but shortly after I was feeling great and moving on with every day life.

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

I take pre-natal, calcium and vitamin a&d

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 have been fortunate with not much nausea and vomiting.. have never had any sleep disturbance. Unfortunately I did have quite a bout with hair loss, but it was 100% worth it, and of course.. it did grow back.

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

I have my own support group really. I have about 6 friends who have all had the surgery by this time. We talk to eachother about it and support eachother quite a bit. I am also a member of a couple of online groups.. unfortunately with my newfound energy I don't get to update with everyone as often as I should.

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

My scar is from breast bone to belly button. I love my scar, as it is a symbol of my new life. It is very faded by now, and after plastic surgery will be almost non existant. It has never bothered me, I doubt I will ever be in a bikini anyway, as I wouldn't have before surgery either. :-)

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

There have been a few instances where the weight loss tapered off quite a bit.. never more than a few weeks though.. I find as I increase my excersise and pay closer attention to exactly what I'm eating, the weight comes off faster.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

It really is amazing the difference in how people treat me. In some ways it feels great, and in other ways it really irritates me. Before surgery I was always fairly confident.. I guess I would walk around with my head in the clouds, because it was a rarity that I would hear someone make a comment, or feel that I was being treated differently than normal size people. Now being a "normal" sized person I notice that people seem a lot more friendly... they'll open doors, say hello, flirt.. all kinds of things that never happened to me before.. Of course before I didn't realize it because it was an every day thing for me.