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

Acquaintances had the surgery and were doing well after 5 years.

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

I was very lucky with my insurance carrier. All my paper work was put together and I had approval within the week. God Bless BC/BS of TN Federal Employees plan and the employees.

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

First visit with the doctor was very formal. He told me to lose weight and exercise before the surgery. He was not really open to questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was getting cortisone shots in my knees and when the doctor left the room to dictate into the records I hear him dictate, female, age 57, morbidly obese. It was the first time I ever heard the official diagnosis. With in a week I had blood work done I was told I had bad LDF of 1145. They couldn't even get my triglycerides because the number was so high. I went to my first seminar 2 weeks later.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Insurance would not pay for the lap-band.

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 never thought I would die from teh surgery. I know the possibility was there but I had complete faith in my surgeon. Any surgery I have ever had has had good results and I felt confident also in my ability to recover.

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 didn't tell my sisters and brothers until after the fact. My husband and daughter respected my decision and accepted what I wanted done. Reason I didn't tell family is I was afraid they would tell me about someone they knew that wasn't successful and I didn't want to hear it. I only told one co-worker and she has been very supportive. My co-workers found out while I was out of the office for 3 weeks. Some were shocked that I had it done as they didn't think I was that big. 141 pounds overweight - were they blind!! People now are supportive and ask me if having food on their desk will bother me - it doesn't. Even had to do a corporate breakfast and no one said anything to me about me not eating as I had eaten before I went.

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

My supervisor was supportive of my decision and proceded to tell me about a number of people she knows that have been very successful. I told her I was having gastric bypass. I was out of work exactly 3 weeks.

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

I was in the hospital 3 days. On the whole it was o.k. I wish I had been told I could have pain medication every 4 hrs. After 8 hrs on the second day I was crying and the nurse told me I could get medication every 4 hrs. On the second night I had severe gas and ended up with the runs befoer I could get out of bed. The aides came and changed the sheets. The gown they brought me was regular size so I was "hanging" out. They didn't offer to help me shower of even ask if I needed help. It is not necessary to bring much of anything as you will sleep the first and second day and out by the third.

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 had problems with diarrhea and questioned whether this would last forever. I wondered if I would ever get out of the house. I felt good after the surgery and once I was able to leave the house I felt better. The first few days I walked and by the 6th day I was back at Curves. The workouts made me feel better.

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

You should expect to be sore on the left hand side. It took me a few weeks to be able to sleep on my left side. Don't be disappointed if you are not losing at the rate you think you should. Take naps when you can and gets lots of sleep. Remember you are healing and will be sore. It wasn't a stay in the bed sore but remember you just had major surgery.

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

Travelled about 5 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.

Remember your protein. I wish I had chosen a protein I could drink before the surgery. I am 48 days out and am still having some problems eating any kind of solid food. Tuna fish is a definite no for me and I'm not sure I will ever eat it again. Spicy food seems to be best and they are not good for me. I do a lot of soup and protein shakes. I'm adding frozen fruit to them and it makes a great breakfast. Just recently I found I can eat 2 oz of chicken thighs (not the breast) and green beans. About every 2 or 3 days I am trying something else. Tilipita wa good the first time but not good the second time. It will be a week or so before I try again.

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

Surgery on Wed, walked 1/2 mil on Fri. By Tues of the next week I was back at Curves and work out 4 - 5 times a week.

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

Daily I take a Flintstone chewable, 2 or 3 chewable calcium with vitamin D, and a sublingual B-12. After finding a protein I like, I do 40 - 60 grams a day. Hoping to get this to 70-80 grams a day.

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've only dumped twice, once with tuna fish and the second time due to a stricture.

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

The diarrhea which lasted 3 weeks. I never thought I would say this but forcing myself to eat. I would do it over again!

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

Dr. Woodman has support group meetings once a month and I make each one of them. The group is important as you get tips on how people handle situations and food tips. I t has been a great tool.

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

Scars are little and red yet. Pretty much what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None so far.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I've lost 53 lbs so it is too early to tell.