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

BARIATRIC TREATMENT CENTER advertisements on the television set. I felt they were talking about me. I was afraid and relieved that something could be done to help me with my weight problem.

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

I kept contact with BTC and cigna and kept calling them to get approval done. What cigna did not tell me was that it would be paid at 60-40 at BTC. I then had to find somewhere that was within my insurance coverage. I found OSU hospital and their bariatric dept. It took over 6 months to get into surgery with them, but part of preop was done from BTC. Make sure your approved for the method of operation. The cut or lapriscopic surgery!

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

He was wonderful. He explained everything and even drew a picture on my file jacket. He listened to what I had to say and checked me out thoroughly. Dr. Needleman

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

my medical problems and feeling of uselessness.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

easiest and fastest recovery.

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?

did not have fear of dying or complication. I was aware that I might, but decided not to worry about things I can not control. Left it all in Gods hands.

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?

They worried about it of course but supported me in every way. They still support me and took great care of me post op.

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

unemployed.

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

I had surgery on a thursday afternoon and went home on sunday. The only problem I had was getting someone to come get me out of bed at 3 a.m. to pee! LOL almost wet my bed. Everyone was great.

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

Went back in 10 days after surgery for bowel obstruction. Vomiting and diarhea. Horrible taste of smell of rotten eggs. They kept me on iv and swelling disappeared. Was in for 5 days.

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

At first elated. As time got closer I little scared of the life change. (not the surgery) and begain doubing my life choices.

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

tiring, sore, hungry, felt just plain miserable. Had to have help getting up and down. And feel like I had to repeat the first week after return to hospital for bowel obstruction.

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

about 10 miles. Made me bit car sick.

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.

fried fish was a no no have hard time chewing and digesting chicken but getting better. learn to eat popsicles when thirsty. Seem to quench thirst faster than sipping something. I CHEW AND CHEW AND CHEW!

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

walking to end of driveway at first, now 2 months later, walking for an hour quickly.

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

started with flinstone vitamins and protein drinks.

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?

took prescription pepsid so no nausia. vomiing and dumping was from bowel obstruction so gone now.

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

getting it going and getting a surgery date. But dealing with insurance now. So may have to change this later.

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

All I have in my nutrionist. Wish I had a support group.

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

6 tiny scars from lapriscopic surgery. One is outstanding because of draining and where it is. It is where my waistband from jeans is.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have been at 205ish for over 3 weeks now. Depressing me but trying to break it and walk more. Hit it at around 5 or 6 weeks post op. Lost 10 in a week and back on plateau again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

no not yet. kinda now in july