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

I was scared to death, I thought everyone either died or gained the weight back after a couple of years. And even though I felt this way I still wanted to have it because I felt it was still better then the life I was living being this size.

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

I thought it would be easy to get insurance approval due to my BMI, well it wasn't. We needed to prove medical nessisity. I had no serious illness like Diabetes or High Blood Pressure, I was in relatively good health although I was borderline on everything due to my weight, I felt like a ticking time bomb. I called the insurance company in tears and begged them to approve it, I told them how this was going to save my life and prevent me from dying from morbid obesity. They just apologized and said that we could send an appeal. I had a back injury that left me in severe pain, so we sent information about that, still no response. I gave up on trying, I left it up to Gods hands. While I was on vacation that year. My DR. filed an appeal and we got approved very shortly after, I think when the Bariatic DR. sends in information the insurance people tend to listen. So my advise is Don't give up, stay on their tails and work with your Dr. together you will make it happen.

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

I Liked Dr. Owens from the first time we spoke, He gives me a comfort and hope for a new beginning in life. His staff is wonderful and very helpful. I think it's important to write down any questions or concerns you have so you can go over them on your visit, don't be shy this is the most important meeting you will have.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was sick and tired of being morbidly obese, I could no longer live the way I was. Too much pain for me. Do I think this is something everyone should do, NO, You need to know this is not the "quick fix" you need to maintain it for the rest of your life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Research on OH website at the time.

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?

we checked in and I was brought back to pre-op room, I remember going to the restroom and wondering if I should make a break for it. I climbed up on the toilet and then realized I would never fit thru the window. Well glad to say I stayed and the surgery was a breeze, next thing I remember is getting out of bed and standing straight up, that was a change I always walked hunched over from my weight, well I stood straight up and walked around the hospital floor just amazed I could do 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?

My friends and family were supportive, but now that I am having problems with my vitamins (my own fault) they keep saying "I told you not to do the surgery" sure dumping is no fun, but now there are many more choices for surgery.

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

I can't remember. I think I was off 3 months.

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

I was there for 5 days, my stay was very nice, I would say bring a pillow for the ride home keep it on your tummy to avoid the bumps in the road.

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

Not from the surgery although I am trying to balance my nutrition and get the right vitamins in, currently seeing Dr. to get things back on track.

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 scared, excited, and anxious all at the same time, I worried about dying during or after surgery, I worried about not being able to eat all the foods I loved, I worried it wasnt going to work for me, then I just stopped and let go and let God

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

Pain lol, no it wasn't that bad, make sure you have someone to take care of you, because it's going to be very difficult the first few weeks. the hardest part about it was sleeping, I couldn't get comfortable.

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

I had surgery close to my home about 30 minutes away.

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 remember the first solid food I tried was a microscopic piece of a fish stick, well I thought it was. Anyways it came back up, I remember having issues with eating lettuce of all things, to this day I have trouble eating chicken, rice, bread, and any other foods that swell in my pouch. Now it's real easy to eat what is called slider foods to avoid the discomfort, DONT DO IT

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

light exercise, wanting to get up and do more, feeling like I could but getting tired quickly.

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

I started with Trinsicon, now I just take multi vitamins, D, E, B-12, potassium, calcium, magnesium

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?

Hair Loss and Dumping, I have to make sure and not eat too much sugar, and I must take my protein drinks along with my food.

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

No knowing about how I would need to take so many pills for the rest of my life.

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

Eight tiny scars you can hardly see

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

10 years out and I have gained some weight back, its tough to take it off. Working at it daily.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

nope, I really don't care anymore what people think, it's what I think about me that's important