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

I was listening to T.V. and heard about a web site and I looked it up and filled in a questionaire. Someone called and I wasn't home and it took me a really long time to deciede to call them back for more information. I didn't want a pushy sales pitch. Then I finially decieded to call and they asked a few questions and said they'd send me out a video and information pamplet. I was really hopeful with this new found information.

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

I had no prolbems in this area. The BTCenter sent a letter on my be half and my insurnace company okayed it. I was on edge waiting to here tho. I somehow figuared that I had gotten this far and the insurance company would reject me.

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

He was pleasent and informative. He told my husband and myself aboutt the surgery and what we could expect and the risks and answered our questions. He really put my husband at ease. The more questions you can have ready for the doctor, the more you'll learn.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was ready the minute I went there. I really made my decission from seeing the tape. I was tired of being overweight and I was tired of going it alone. I just needed my husband to understand more, so he would back my decission.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I didn't know about any other kinds. I had heard about the stappling, but had also heard about it coming undone. I sure didn't want that. Its been since my surgery and my daughter was wanting to know more and she went sight seeing on the net. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have known about this support. I only knew that our town didn't have a support group and if one was ever started, the BTCenter would let me know. Now I will let him know there is support.

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 didn't want to think about it. But I did. I knew that if it was my time to go, then God would be there to welcome me home and He'd be the one giving me my new body. I just put all my faith in Him... I wanted a new body one way or the other. I guess I'd tell others to know the facts and then put your faith in God.The ones I told said if its what

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?

The ones I told, basicly said the same, if it was what I really wanted, then go for it. My one Daughter was more supportive than the other as she had heard of it and she is also overweight. The other Daughter is very slinder and has never had a weight problem. Altho I know that my weight has been an embaressment to her and her brother. Like I have said before, I have trouble talking about this yet. Maybe after I have lost a lot of weight I will feel better talking. The ones who know have been really supportive.

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

I'm a housewife.

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

I arrived on time the morning of surgery. I was taken to my room and there my family and myself waited for them to come for me. I answered a few pre-op questions and put on the grown. It was actually too big, as compared to most being too small. I was the last one to go that day. I didn't like that, but I was told they take the hardest cases first. They usually have 4 surgeries per day with 2 or more doctors. After surgery, I don't remember anything until I was back in my room and my bed. I did get up a few hours after surgery and sat in a chair and later I had to walk one round trip down the hall. I was in the hospital 4 days. This encluded the day of surgery and the day I left about noon. I didn't have anything to eat from noon the day before surgery and nothing to drink after midnight. Then nothing by mouth until the I.V. came out. I think that was day 3. I had a xray first to make sure all was working and when it was confirmed that it was, I got the I.V. out and some juice. I brought a suitcase full of my own clothes and toothbrusb etc. Not needed there. They gave me footies, gowns and a bucket full of things. There was toothpaste, toothbrush, lotion, soap, shampoo, conditioner' a comb, tissue and a few other things. I would still bring my own brush and toothbrush etc. But you wouldn't have too. They even had deodorant. I felt better in their gowns than in my pj's, so that wasn't needed. I guess just your robe and slippers.

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

None whatsoever.

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

It was the longest and the shortest month of my life. I tried not to think about it, but thats all I could think of. Yes I was scared and excited all at once. I took the time to make sure my husband and mother and my two daughters were okay with this. I let my sons know about me having a surgery, but I wouldn't tell them what. I felt they would try to talk me out of it and I didn't want that. I told my mother-in-law, and my best friend. I didn't tell anyone eles as I didn't know how it would be looked on and I didn't want to hear anything negative about it. So I coped by not telling many people about it. I still have a lot of trouble talking about it and still most of my friends and family don't know.

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

I was sore and I needed pain med's. Don't be afraid to take the med's. I had trouble sleeping laying flat, so I slept in a reclyer chair and that was easier to get up and down. I my mother and husband to help with the household work, so that isn't a problem. But since you can't lift you should have someone to help for a few weeks.

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

I had to travel about 100 miles each way. About 2 hours. It hasn't affected my after care at all. The trip is scenic beauty and it just goes by so quickly with friend or loved one.

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.

Well I'm only 5 1/2 weeks post-op, so I can't tell you a lot. First its clear liquids for the 1st. week and full liquids for the next 2 weeks. By then I was a little hungrey and so I enjoyed the soups in the blender. Then I went to purred foods for 2 weeks and now I'm on soft foods. Next week I'm told I can eat anything, but we'll see. I am having trouble getting the protein I need. They don't tell you to eat low carbohidrate foods, but I noticed that I was getting too many and I stopped loosing weight. So I have much to learn. I'm told sugar is the only really off limits food. However you need a low fat diet as well and now maybe more. If I don't sollow slowly, I get air bubbles in my chest and thats it for eating until I can burp the out. Its very painful. So you must eat and chew slowly.

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

It was and still is slow. I can't seem to get any energy. I'm now trying to drink a protien drink to see if I can get some get up and go!!! I'm tired all the time.

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

I take 2 sugar free chewable Bugs Bunny vitamins per day. This is what the nutritionist has told me to take. Now I'm also taking a protien drink.

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 really only has the gas problems and the nausia. The nausia only lasted 2 weeks and I still have bad gas problems. I'm only starting to see the hair thinning. I try to make sure I don't eat gassy foods and eat slowly. I have a hard time remenbering to eat slowly until its too late some times, so my family tries to remind me at every meal. The nausia left and before it did, I had med.'s for it.

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

The pain from the insission. But med.'s took care of that.

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

I really don't have one and thats too bad. I've learned that doctors and nurses can only do so much and you really need someone eles who has been there. I have support at home, but they really can't help as they only know what they've read. But being in a small town, there isn't much chance for a group and thats why I for one thank all the people on the internet for their support and why I have taken the time to help others like myself by filling out all these questions.

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

My scar is from middle of my breast area and down to just above my belly button. Its a thin streight line and right now its red. No its not what I expected. I never thought to ask as I had seen a scar on one of the nurses who had the RNY done. Hers seemed small. I thought it was too high up to be comfortable wearing my bra and I sure was right. But maybe that to shall pass. Otherwise my scar should be barely noticable one day as some of my others are.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Just now happening to me. I had been loosing about 6 lbs per week and all of a sudden week 5 arrived and nothing and that really scarred me until I read about other people and plateau. Thanks again to the internet. I'm taking some ideas of low carb.'s and high protien. I have trouble with not feeling hungrey and still not eating much at a time. I only manage to force myself to eat about 2 meals and a snack or two. So I thought I should be loosing more and heard that maybe my tummy is thinking its being starved and hording it.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, its too soon.