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

I read about it and researched it on the internet and I thought it would be a good thing for me to try. I asked my family doctor if I was a candidate and he set the appointment up for me.

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

It was hard getting the approval because each time we sent them something they wanted more. I had to keep going to my family doctor and having info faxed to the insurance company

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

My first visit was very informative. Make sure you have all your questiones ready when you go so that you don't forget anything. He was more then willing to answer anything we had to ask.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My weight had gotten to 276 and I just couldn't stand it anymore.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

This was the procedure that he recommended and the one that he does the most.

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 worried about the dying thing. I had a heart cath a few months prior to this surgery and my heart stopped during the procedure. It took 4 strikes with the paddles to bring me back, so yes I was a little worried. Dr. Sarantos calmed those fears. I would tell them to look at the statistics and set their mind to doing what the doctor says.

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?

Some thought it was good, others thought I shouldn't do it. My husband was very supportive and still is. All family members are very supportive because they all see a change in me. I smile more and I get out more and I am just happier then before the surgery.

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

Well I was working at the time and they didn't seem to be to impressed about any of it. Before my surgery date rolled around they had let me go, they said they only needed 1 person in the office instead of 2. I personaly think it had to do with my weight.

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

The stay in the hospital was okay. I was there for 6 days. Most important is a housecoat and loose gowns along with slippers.

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

I had problems with the gastric tube after it was clamped off. It had to be unclamped and the old stomach jucies drained out. It was painful because there was so much in there.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

When I was told of my surgery date I was happy to finally be on my way. I had 1 more appointment with the doctor and he gave me some medication to help me sleep the last week before the surgery. I was up all the time, couldn't sleep for worrying about what would happen. I tried to keep myself busy here at home until the day we left. That was the day before the surgery and we stayed in a hotel the night before. My husband, mother, sister and brother-in-law were with me so that kept my mind busy.

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

You need lots of help. It is hard to get up and down without support. My husband would help me in the morning before work and get me settled back in bed, then he would come home at lunch and help me get my shower ect. The evenings he was here to help also. He made all my meals, such as they were, for me. Expect pain, irritation about not being able to do for yourself, just a general feeling of loosing control over your usual day to day life.

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

We had to go to Gainesville and it is a 3 and 1/2 hour drive one way. It does not affect my aftercare. I always go to all my appointments. The only thing I don't like is that I can't drive there for the support meetings. It is to far.

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.

First few weeks were liquid and soft diets. I had a hard time with eggs when I was aloud to have them. They made me vomit. I have just recently added them back into my diet. You can't have any sugar. I have not worked up to pork and beef and I am just now aloud to have crunchy fruits and veggies without the skins. As for the dietary tolerance, it just seemed normal to eat what I was told to eat. I didn't miss anything. I am now 15 months out from surgery and all foods have been added back into my diet. I eat pretty much what I want except for sweets. I will never go back to that again. I have lost 120 pounds and I do not miss any of the old style of eating.

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

First few weeks my activity was non-exsistent. By the 4th week I was taking small walks and increased those each week. I now walk the treadmill and do the stationary bike here in my home.I am now into the 4th month after surgery and I do almost anything I want to. The tummy still has some tenderness inside, but that comes and goes. I am working agian, around 30 hours a week. It has been 15 months since my surgery and feel wonderful. I am very active and do just about anything I want to. We went to Busch Gardens a few months ago and I actually rode the log ride. I was so fat before that I would never get on anything like that. It felt good.

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

At first I had to take the flintstone complete and now I take centrum A to zink. I also drink 11 oz. of Myoplex Low Carb each day for protein. My daughter-in-law is in the nursing program and she now gives me my B-12 shots once every 3 weeks. I have added Biotin and extra Zinc because I still have a hair loss problem. Not noticable but enough that I notice. Otherwise everything is great.

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 nausia was bad the first few weeks and I did vomit a lot. As for coping there wasn't much I could do about it. The hair loss is on going and I am hoping it stops soon. I am not coping with that to well. I am use to having thick hair and now it very thin. My sleep is much better these days, I have some sleepless nights but nothing like before the surgery. I am now 15 months out from my surgery and I sleep very good. I do not snore anymore which is nice because I use to wake myself up with it. I am more rested then I have been in years.

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

The worst part was the pain in the beginning and getting all those staples removed along with the gastric tube.

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

I don't have one, it is to far to drive for a support meeting. Since coming to this sight I have found ladies in my area and we communicate thru the internet and by phone.

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

Yes it is what I expected, I did have a small problem with it after the staples came out. A small part of it opened up and it had to be seen and doctored. My scar is now completly healed and has faded from the bright red to being a little darker then my skin around it. I am 15 months out from surgery and my scar is pretty much just a white line now.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None that I can think of. I have been down a couple of times since surgery but I think that comes with it. My weight was coming off fast in the beginning but has tapered off somewhat this past month. I am still loosing and that is what matters.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Oh yes, I don't like it because I am the same person on the inside as I was before the surgery. I have lost a total of 120 pounds now and there are many people who I haven't seen in a while who do not even know me. Those that do never comment on my weight loss. I don't know if they think I have been sick and do not want to be nosey or if they are just being snobby. In reality I don't care one way or the other, I like me and that is what counts.