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

From my regular M.D. He asked me about 3 years ago what I thought about having it done. I told him no because I was scared.

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

My husband has Harrison Trust Ins. They were really great except that they wanted me to have every test that was possible. But they tried to push things through fast because they knew the age limit at the hosp.You just need to talk to the Insurance company and get them to help you get through it as fast as they can.

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

The first visit was after He had a seminar here in town. He is a very caring person. He was very imformative at the seminar and at the office he showed a small group of us a tape on the surgery and the after care and nutritional needs after the surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was so tired of dieting. Loose some wait only to gain back more than I lost. This has been going on for about 40 years, and I finally reached apoint where I just couldn't deal with it any more. I wanted a new life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I felt that the RnY was the one for me because I knew I have had problems in the past dieting, and I thought this would be the best was for me to go.

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 was only nervous a few days before the surgery. The closer it got to the surgery date the more excited I got. I figured if I didn't have the surgery I would end up dying to soon anyway. I also had faith in God that if I did die it was just my time. All I can say is if you have enough faith in God and believe that everything will be allright then you will be at ease a little more.

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 Husband was behind me a 100%. My mother was fine with it. The only problem I had was with my daughter and that was because she worried that I might die during surgery. My youngest son felt it was a smart decision. My younger sister was a little worried. My older sister is married to a Dr. and he felt it was the right decision for me.

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

I own my own business, so I just had to make sure that I had all my work caught up at work so it didn't leave any extra for my employess to do. I own a flower shop and it was getting close to Christmas and I wanted to be back to work by then. I took off one week and then only was there 1/2 a day most of the next week only answering the phone and stuff like that.

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

My stay in the hospital was o.k. I was there for two days and went home the 3rd morning. I was important for me that I brought some loose fitting clothes to wear home.

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

I didn't have any complications from the surgery.

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 only had about 2 weeks to wait after I got my surgery date, and I was so excited I could hardly wait. I just kept my self busy because I had a lot to take care of before I had the surgery.

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

The first few weeks I was home I didn't realize how tired I would be. My energy level was real low. My husband was great and a lot of help. I has a 11 year old step daughter that lives with us. She is a real sweet child and a lot of help. She was so good about getting me something to drink and always mixing and heating my soup. I think most people expect to be back on their feet real soon. I didn't have a lot of pain afterwards. I think some people have more than others. Just don't rush any thing. Do what you feel like doing but don't push yourself too hard.

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

I had the surgery right here in my own town.

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 two weeks was just clear liquids. The next two weeks was cream soups with no chicken or any chuncks in it. along with the other liquids. The next to weeks was pureed food. and protien drinks. Then after that I got to start on soft foods. I have had problems with chicken and pork. I can eat things made with hamburger. I can eat the chicken with it is in soup or something like that, or ground up mixed with tofu. or fat free mayo. Sometimes I mix it with yogurt. I am 8 months out now and can eat the other meats a little better. I have good days and bad days as to what I can handle. If the meat bothers me I just make sure I get 2 protien drinks in daily. I can always eat cottage cheese and cheese sticks. I eat jerky too. If it doesn't chew up good I spit out that part.But i would do it all over again in a heart beat.

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

It took me about a 3 weeks to get to feeling better, but I think I went back to work too soon. After about a month I felt pretty good and my energy lever was pretty good.

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

I take Coral Calcium with vitamin D dailey. A good Multi vitamin and Biotin dailey. I take a B12 shop 2 times a month. I drink my protien dring in soy milk, so each drink is about 35 protien 2 times dailey.

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?

The only problem I have had is with the hair loss. It hasn't really been that bad. I think it is pretty we past because my hair has started growing again. I just told myself not to worry that everybody looses hair. It will grow back.I stay away from sugar so I won't have a dumping problem. Sometimes I get what they call the foamies and that is because I think I still eat to fast sometimes. It kind of hurts my pouch and I immediately know what I did. I was a little bit after it comes up then I eat again only slower.

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

Just being tired for a couple of weeks afterwards is all that I can really say.

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

we have a support group here in town. I think it is really important to attend. I have missed a couple of them and I hate it when I have to miss. But sometimes it just doesn't work out for me with my business.

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

I had laprascopic and have very little scaring.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am experiencing my first plateau right now. It has been 3 weeks since I have lost any. I am only loosing 5 lbs evey 2 weeks the last month before I his this plateau. But I do not get in as much exercise as I should.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People always tell me how much better I look and they can notice the difference in my activities.