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

Roseanne and Carnie Wilson stories. I thought it was very dangerous and expensive.

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

At first I asked two Doctors to refer me and they asked about my insurance and stated that HMO does not pay for this surgery. Then I insisted and my Doctor put the referral through and it went thru at the right time.

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

The first meeting was an interview and Dr. Vittello informed me of all of the posible complications and I prayed that he would except me. I was on 11 perscription drugs for diabetics, hypertension, thyroid, depression, edema, high colestrial and triglysirides. I was persistent because I was 58 years old and Dr. 's cut off age was 60 years.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I decided years age that I wanted the surgery to live. I have two grandsons and I want to be able to walk them to parks and not pass out.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

dr. Vitello only does the one procedure.

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?

MY fears were that if I died that God wanted it that way but, I know there would be pain but no pain no gain.

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 considered me very brave. I know this is the best thing for me at my age and with all of my medical problems. My husband was very supportive and my sister and mother tried to interfere with my progress. My mother went back to laxatives to loss weight and my sister is working hard on Weight watchers.

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

I am retired

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

My Hospital stay was short three days and there was a very stern group of medical staff. Bring your courage.

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

I gained thirty pounds edema in the three days. My incision became infected with a bacterial infevtion and I went on medications. I have seroma and it is a bother. I just deal with them a day at a time. I am also so tired.

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 prayed alot that everything would turn out right and that nothing would happen that would cancel my surgery.

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

The first four weeks were the hardest, There is pain and fatigue. Adjustments to eating and tolieting frequently.

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

65 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 could nbot eat any fat or sugars. I am in the first month and ate liquids at first then only osft protein foods and drinks.

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

I did some walking in my home and I have a townhouse and needed to do stairs to go to bed and down to eat. After three weeks I can walk outside a few blocks but, I am tired and have to rest. I am sleepy and need to take a nap a day.

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

I take high potency multipe vitamins and minerals and vitamin B12. I take soy protein drinks twice daily. I take MISO soups with soy and I add tofu.

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 have not had any of those side effects just loose stools.

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

I will be going to Dr. Vitellio's support group because I feel that the support will help me think as a thin person and assist me with the new body.

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

It is still draining seroma. and peeling. I am using Vitamin E cream now and it should help. I really did not expect it to be so long.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

To early

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

to early