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

My friend Frankie had the surgery a year ago and gave me the information about Dr Johnson and his office phone number. She told me not to put it off. Well I was scared and put it off for 6 months. When my legs almost gave out on me on vacation I decided to make the appointment when I got home and I'm so happy I did.

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

It took me 4 months to get approved. But I had a good insurance lady that worked for Dr. Johnson named Judy who called the insurance company several times to touch base. I called a number of times to make sure they the isurance co. had everything they needed to get this approval before my date of surgery. My advice to others is don't give up....keep pushing!

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

I was scared but Dr Johnson made me feel confortable. We talked about the surgery and I had many questions and he answered them all for me.I could tell right off that Dr Johnson was a caring and kind person.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I couldn't walk real well and my sugar was very high. I wanted to live longer and without the surgery I might be looking at a wheelchair if I kept gaining more weight...Another factor was I never felt good anymore.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr. Johnson told me I would loose more weight with the rny.

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 had a fear from dying more then complications. I drove my love ones and friends crazy. I asked the nurse one day at a visit about my fears and she told me being afraid was normal. I just kept telling myself I need the surgery and with Gods help and having a good surgeon like Dr Johnson I was in good hands.

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 glad I was having the surgery and they are very supportive of me. Some of my friends were glad for me and others were fearful of complications....but they are very supportive now.

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

I had the surgery 7 months after I quit my managers job in retail. The job was getting to stressful after 10 years and I decided my health was more important then my job.

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 for 4 days. The stay was a good one. Everyone at the hospital was very helpful to me during my stay. I brought pj's but used the hospital's gowns. Don't forget your slippers. I forgot mine but they found me some socks slippers.

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

I didn't have any complications at all. The only time I had pain was when they made me walk for the first time. When I got home I got along just great.

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 was glad to find out the date to get it over with. I spent alot of time talking to friends and family about how I felt and that helped with the anxiety.

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

I felt good but didn't have the get up and go like a person who never had surgery. I had no pain, never got sick and went out in the car several times for a ride with my husband. My mom came and helped me out with meals and cleaning the house for the first week. I made sure I took it easy the first 3 weeks and didn't over did anything.

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

I had to travel to Morgantown,WV which was an hours drive from Salem, WV where I live. The hour drive had no affect on my aftercare.

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 3 weeks were a liquid diet..did well on it. Next 3 weeks were soft foods. Didn't have to eat baby food. Did well on this also. After the 6 weeks visit I could eat regular low fat diet food. I found out I got sick on Turkey burger, Crabmeat, and I ate vegetable soup that the grease wasn't skimmed off yet. I knew not to eat a small amount but I did and you guessed it oh:( I haven't tried sugar foods yet....Don't have a desire for them...I'm enjoying catfish. I never liked fish before the surgery.

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

The first 6 weeks just walking around the house and going up and down the basement steps..... Now I walk 30 min. on are treadmill with my walking friend. She goes 60 mins and someday I will catch up with her. At this point I don't like walking outside. I'm hoping when the weather get warmer to ride my bike with my grandkids. We have a great rails for trails to ride on.

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

2 kids vitamins, CalMax, and I had a vitamin B-12 shot at the drs. office on my 6 weeks check up.

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 first 6 weeks after surgery I had no side effects from surgery. I got sick 3 times after the 6th week. I ate the wrong kind of meats and it caused vomiting and a sick feeling the rest of the evening for me.

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

Having to get up and walk after the surgery. I thought the first time walking hurt.

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

I go once a month to a support group and its very helpful to me.

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

My scar doen't look bad...Its long but its what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Last week was my 8th week after surgery and I didn't loose any weight. Hopefully this coming week I will be done a few pounds.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet.