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

I saw a comercial on T.V. about bariatric surgery. So, I decided to go for it.

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

Medcath, Healthstar, PPO 04-12-00 After 1 month of waiting, I was told they needed more information. Still waiting on approval. 04-22-00 Now they need my medical records from my primary physican. 5-10-00 I finally got approval. Now, I'm waiting on a surgery date. 5-22-00 Surgery date is June 14th. On my approval letter it said that I would need to have the Dr. with-in my medical network. The Dr. that I went to wasn't in the network. So, I had to find another Dr. who was covered. After I went through all that my new surgery date ended up being June 27th. So, even though the insurance gives approval make sure the Dr. and the hospital is covered under your plan.

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

Dr Kaczmarski was everything I would expect a surgeon to be. The medical personnel in the office were Kind and informative. I wish Dr. Kaczmarski could do the laparoscopy procedure though. I don't really care for having the big scar. I'm waiting now for the insurance to approve the surgery. Well, I had to switch Dr. because Dr. Kaczmarski was not in my medical network. So, I found Dr. Spier to do the surgery. He was very nice. I liked his sence of humor.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Nothing else has worked. My health is going downhill. Insurance agreed to help pay for it.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Whichever the Dr. knew how to do.

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 had 3 C-sections and a gallbladder removed before so, I figured I would be O.K. with this surgery too. Plus, I knew that if I died, I would be resurrected in the new earth. I relied on God and prayed to him often.

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?

Many people thought that I shouldn't put my life in danger by having this surgery. I told them that my life was already in danger by being this overweight. My health was not going to get better.

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

No problems with work. I payed extra on my benefits for short-term disablity. I was off work for about 5 weeks.

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

The only thing I didn't like was the pain after surgery. The first day was unbearable. The nurses seem to busy to get me the shots on time. I had to ask several times. Being a nurse myself, this upset me. I believe in having the patient as free from pain as possible. If the medicine is not working then, you call the Dr. and get something else. Anyways, I suffered until the next day when my Dr. came in. He increased my dosage. Boy, did that ever help. To all the nurses who take care of someone with pain, please do not leave them that way! I was in the hospital for 4 days. I was glad I brought a battery operated fan. The room was so hot that the fan came in handy. I took my own gowns because hospital gowns are ugly. My chap stick was wonderful for my chapped and dry lips.

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

Just pain

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 couldn't wait to get it done.

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

I was very tired and sore. People should be understanding and fetch items for post-ops.

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

50 miles. No 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.

I have to take it easy on the ice cream.

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

It took me about 8 weeks to fully get my energy back.

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

My Dr. recommended that I take vitamin B12 500 mcg. once daily, folic acid 500 mcg. once daily, calcium 500mg twice daily, iron 65mg twice daily, and a once daily multiple vitamin. I like the liquid vitamin B12, GNC Iron Complete (which already has the folic acid in it and 30mg of iron. So I take 4 per day), tums, and 2 children's vitamins. I don't like the children's vitamins too well. I'm still searching for a good brand.

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?

If I don't cut up chicken before I eat it I lose it.

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

waiting

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

I have used the internet and the message board.

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

My husband calls it a zipper.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I'm on one now, but we've been on vacation.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not yet.