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

i work for 2 doctors and have several patients that have had the surgery. i was not sure about it but after talking to dr dewitt, i felt like it might be for me.

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

i did not have any problems with my insurance. i was approved very quickly.

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

it was very informative. dr. dewitt was great and he was very informative about the surgery and what he would do and what i could expect. i advise anyone to make a list of any question you might have and any thing you need to know.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

i had to have 2 stints in my heart and my cardiologist told me i really need to considered the surgery because i had a wake up call and needed to get the weight off.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

i left that up to my doctor.

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 very scared about being put to sleep even though i had been a lot of times. but i was older and was scared. i prayed and prayed and put it the Lords hands. i knew he would take care of me.

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 family was not so sure of my having the surgery. they were very scared and more so after having the problem with my heart. but after talking to my cardiologist they felt better about it. they are very supportive and are proud of my weight loss.

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

i work for two of the best doctors in the state of alabama. i discussed this with them in length. they felt like i would do good with surgery. i was out of work about 2 weeks.

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

the hospital was not my favorite place. it was short nurses and i felt like we didn't get the care we should have after the surgery. i was in the hosp. for 3 days. i suggest you bring something to read and a good pair of walking shoes.

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

no complications

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 felt good after my surgery. i had lots of enery. i went on vacation about 3 weeks after.

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

i felt very good and had not problems.

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

100 miles.

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 was on liquids for the first week or so. then i could eat eggs, potatoes, and soup. 3weeks out i could have baked chicken, turkey. no beef bread posta for 6 weeks. after 6 weeks we could eat any thing we wanted. we had a maintance diet sheet to go by.

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

walking every day, doing anything i wanted to do, just not lifting and pulling on anything.

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

take prenatal vitamins, folic acid biotin, and b12 shot every month.

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?

no complications

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

i really have been pleased with my surgery. i have done really well and feel good.

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

carraway has a really great support group and ms debbie is wonderful. i also have the support of my family and coworkers.

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

can't tell i have one.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

i have had several plateaus, but uped my exercise and watched my calories closer.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not really. most everyone praises my weight loss.