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

Looked up Carney Wilson on the internet and gathered all the information I could. I wanted it right away.

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

I was anxious and worried about being denied, I worked for days, putting together an appeal with a ton of case studies, and I didnt even need it! They approved me in less then 4 days!

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

I saw Dr. Pohl and love him and his staff right away! They are awesome. I would go with an open mind and get all the info you can!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I have wanted a way to start over for a long time!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

researched alot on the interenet first.

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 have none! I am strong in my faith and confident in my doctor! MY husband is a little worried, but we have prayed about it.

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?

I have only told close friends and my husband. I have not told my mom or anyone else. I know they will just say that its a cop-out or something. When in fact its a ton of work.

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

I just started a new job 3 weeks ago and they have been wonderful. I was only out of work for 2 full weeks, but After that, I was depressed and tired and began calling out alot, almost lost my job, I am now 9 months post-op and things are better, but I still have exhausting days, I dont think it is surgery related.

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

My stay was ok, the nurses come in every shift and check your vitals, but its just to be safe. YOU also get a shot in the belly once a day, its a blood thinnner, so you wont clot. IT is the tiniest needle I have ever seen lol and you cant even feel it. I was in for 3 nights, but could have gone home after 2. I stayed because I was not feeling well, having trouble breathing due to a cold, not anything to do with the surgery, and I have 3 kids at home, which meant, no rest for me. All I brought was a T-shirt and loose shorts. Make sure they are loose on your belly. Also shampoo etc. but they do have that if you dont want to bring it. Take a shower! YOu will feel better, my mom is a home health aid, so she helped instead of the nurse, but have them help.

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

None what so ever. Now if I could shake this old and breath right, I would be feeling so much better.

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 so busy preparing my classroom and co-teacher, and the house etc. that I didnt really have any! I prayed alot,my husband was anxious, he cried the night before, but all went well. I also talked to people who had had the surgery, before I decided and did alot of research, so I was fine. I went back to work after exactly 2 weeks! It felt good. I still get tired, and can not lift the children yet, but its good to be back.

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

I have only been home for a few days, but It is more of a discomfort then anything, and trying to eat, because with my cold I just dont want to. I needed alot of rest. I was tired alot in the beginning. Especially the first full week. And it was hard to get my proteins in, so I was sluggish. But no pain really, not after the first few days. I was able to swallow a vitamin in about a week, without trouble, some people can not. I have been very fortunate.

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

15 minutes

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.

My first week home all I ate was fat free/sugar free pudding and jello, and some broth. Drank only water. I am now 1 1/2 weeks post-op and I was able to eat a cracker and real soup already. I fill up really fast! ANd it is recommended that you dont start any solids for 2 weeks. I was very fortunate, I could not tolerate the carnation instant breakfast, but could tolerate the things listed above. I tried solids this weekend, and got sick once. But thats because I pushed myself I think. I tried some chicken salad and I think it was too soon. I have had some cereal and regular soup. Stay away from the bread! It gets stuck! Crackers I can do though. At 9 months post op, I have trouble with ice cream and really sweet things, but not bad at all!

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

Week one, tired, sore from the drain tube. Week 2, full of energy! Able to do light house work, go for a walk, ec. Get tired after a few hours and have to lay down though. Went back to work, exactly 2 weeks post op. I get tired by mid-day, around 1:30, but otherwise I am fine. I am taking a vitamin, so my energy level is improving. The more you move around, safely, the faster you are ready. at 9 months post op and -125 lbs I am feel great, but still tired. I am busier then ever though.

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

Multi-vitamin with 150% iron

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 a little nausia once in awhile, but it is so minimal! I have not had any other symptoms! It was a little hard to sleep in the beginning becuase I had my drain tube in,, and I had a cold, but NOw I am sleeping on my side, and stomache for a little while each night. Restless, but I always was! 2.5 weeks post op, I am sleeping better, still use a pillow under my stomache when I lay on my right side, just to cushion it. No dumping, or hair loss as of yet. Vomited once, but tried solids and ate too quickly. I am 9 months post-op and rarely vomit, only if I try to stuff that last bite in or eat too fast!

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

The drain tube!!!!!! It made things very uncomfortable. My doctor wants to be safe, so I had it in for a week at home. As soon as it was out, I felt even better.

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

I am going to my first meeting on Dec. 20. IT is run by my surgeon. I also talk to 2 people from this site that are in my area and have recently had this surgery. They have been a big help!! 11/21/2003 I have not been to a meeting in awhile, but it is good to know it is there!

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

I had five small incisions, one for the drain tube, and four others. They are very small and barely noticable. The hole where the drain tube is, is still not healed completely but it has only been a few days! 11/21/2003 Can barely see a scar at all

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Just seemed to slow down last week, but I started my monthly period. I have lost 32 lbs thus far, in 4 weeks!I hit a plateau at about -80lbs, for about a month, but I am 9 months post op and have lost 125 so far!