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

I read a magazine article in Cosmopolitan magazine. My initial impression was that it was too good to be true, and even if it was true it would be beyond my reach in reality.

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

I was very lucky. I started working for a self-insured company in January, 1998. It was shortly thereafter that I heard about a lady that worked there who had had this procedure done, and the company paid for it. I found out later that she was the 6th person to have had it done. It was still several months before I decided to proceed with this option. Once I started it didn't take any time at all to get approved.

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

I thought I was totally prepared for my first consult, had a binder full of questions and materials I had collected. Once I got there I was a bit scared and intimidated. But after about an hour of talking all my questions had been answered and he was very up front and helpful. Just be prepared and know what you want to ask before you get there. Don't try to wing it.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

We have a family history of heart problems and my heart had been giving me unknown irregular heartbeat for several months. The doctors kept telling me it was normal. Then when I went to see the sleep apnea doctor he said otherwise. That the sleep apnea was more than likely damaging my heart. It scared me very badly. I wanted to see my two boys grow up and give me grandchildren and great grandchildren.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

It was the only procedure that my surgeon did. He explained the difference between all the surgeries and why they chose to do the one they do. I knew this surgeon was good and knew people that had used him in the past so I trusted his judgment.

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 really didn't think about the complications surgery might cause. I figured I was dying anyway. This was my one and only chance to kick this problem for the rest of my life. I could die in a car accident at any given moment in my life, or my heart could just tell me okay, I've had enough of this. Surgery wasn't life threatening to me, but life saving.

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 family and friends were very supportive of my decision. They were scared as well, but for the most part never showed that to me. They are totally amazed to see me now.

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

My employer/supervisor was very supportive. I explained my heart problems, sleep apnea, other health issues. I was out of work for about four weeks.

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 for 3 days. It was awful. First they did not tell my parents and husband when I was finally in my room after surgery. They only walked me twice. I had to wait to get to the bathroom on several occasions because it took them a long time to get to my calls. The surgical stockings have left scars on the back of my legs because they were too tight. They kept getting my meals wrong. My whole attitude changed the day they told me I could go home. The most important thing to bring was a fan. My room was very warm.

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?

I was ecstatic. Until the last week or so. Then I started to freak out. I coped with it by getting my family ready for me to be gone for those days I would be in the hospital. I also ate my way through the last few weeks. All the places I knew would never be the same again to me after surgery.

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

The first couple of days home was hard. You can't get into or out of your bed. You can't get comfortable enough to sleep well. You are afraid to put anything in your mouth. After a week or so the pain begins to subside and you can actually get comfortable. You will sleep a lot. Then before you know it the cabin fever starts to kick in and going back to work doesn't sound like such a bad thing.

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

I traveled two hours, about 120 miles to have surgery. It has not really affected my aftercare too much. My surgeon know the distance to travel so he had let me go a little longer between visits than he might of had I lived closer.

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.

The first four weeks I was on liquids and anything that could go through a strainer. I did a lot of blended foods and mashed potatoes. Each day was a new adventure for a while. I am now 8 1/2 months out and know pretty much what I can and cannot tolerate. I do dairy well. Cereal for breakfast every day. Fruit goes right through me. I cannot do meat but can do seafood. No dark greens such as spincah, asparagus, or broccoli. Bread and starches like that just take up space so I avoid them. It does not bother me to eat and drink at the same meal.

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

I walked every day after I got home from the hospital. I started at about 10 minutes and worked my way up about 3 minutes at a time to 1/2 an hour. Then I slowly started aerobics tapes. At about three months out I started a basic Taebo tape. I am now doing Taebo for an hour a day and love it. My activity level for normal day to day things has gone through the roof. I used to avoid doing as much as possible and vegged on the couch all day long. Now you seldom see me not doing someting around the house, in the yard, whatever it may be.

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

I take a multi-vitamin/mineral tablet every day. I also take a colon cleanser daily to keep my bowels loose. I became quite constipated after surgery. And a Tagament every evening.

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 still vomit occasionally, especially if I overeat. Dumping for me is a short bout of diahhrea. I do this when I eat too much sugar such as fruit. I don't do sugar as in sweets. The hair loss started at about 4 months and stopped at about 7 months. Not enough to be noticeable to anyone, but a nuisance in the shower drain. I have never slept better in my life since after surgery. I don't even get up to go to the restroom at night anymore.

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

The horrible feeling after waking up from surgery. Pain, not knowing exactly where you are or where you've been, having that entire time period just wiped out of your life. Three hours or so of total non-being. Very strange feeling.

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

My major support, since I live in a small foothill community, has been through the internet. The people on the computer have been there for me from the very beginning decision making stages right on through to now.

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

My scar is about 2 inches long from just below my breast bone to my above my belly button. It fades daily and does not bother me at all.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had two plateaus. One was self induced. The first was for a two week period where I did not lose. This happed about 5 months out. I upped my water intake and my exercise a bit, and got over that hurdle. The second was our vacation this year when I ate all the wrong stuff, and knew I was doing it. Junk like chips with salsa, nuts, grazing all day. Even some alcoholic beverages. I put on about six pounds and it took me two weeks to get back to the weight I was at before we left on that trip.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. Men look at me again. My friends who have not seen me for a while say how they wouldn't have recognized me on the street. Some people actually don't recognize me. Some are jealous and everyone asked how did you do it. Some I tell, others I just grin and say lots of hard work. Because even though we have been given the tool it still takes exercise and good choices to make it happen.