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

I FIRST LEARNED ABOUT IT FROM MONTEL WILLIAMS SHOW THAT'S WHAT SPARKED IT BECAUSE HE HAD CARNEY WILSON ON THE SHOW AND MY GOD HOW WONDERFUL SHE LOOKS AND SINCE THEN I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH THROUGH THE INTERNET. FINALLY I WENT TO MY DOCTOR ON THE 3 OF MAY AND I TALKED TO HIM ABOUT IT.. AND HE PUT IN A CONSULT TO SEE DR. BLANEY AND IT'S SLOWLEY BEGINNING TO HAPPEN I THINK. I HAVE TO COME TO THIS SITE EVERY DAY TO SEE THE BEFORE AND AFTER PICS AND WOW.. IT IS A TRUE MIRACLE. AND I'D LIKE TO BE A PART OF THAT MIRACLE TOO

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

MY INSURANCE HAS ALREADY APPROVE IT. I HAVE TRI-CARE WHICH IS THROUGH THE MILITARY AND I GUESS THEY WOULD RATHER PAY FOR THIS NOW THEN FOR ME TO REMAIN OVER WEIGHT AND PAY FOR WHO KNOWS WHAT BECAUSE OF MY OBESITY.

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

WELL FIRST BEFORE I MET WITH DR. BLANEY I HAD TO FILL OUT PRETTY MUCH A BOOK OF ALL HEALTH QUESTIONS AND IT OF COURSE GETS REALLY IN DEPTH ABOUT WHAT SIZE YOU WERE AS A CHILD THE METHODS O WEIGHT LOSS YOU'VE TRIED. WE THEN WENT OVER IT WHEN IN HIS OFFICE AND OF COURSE THEY HAD ME STEP ON A SCALE :-( HE WAS VERY INFORMATIVE AND TOLD ME WHAT ALL IS DONE AND HOW IT IS A TOTAL LIFE CHANGE AND THAT THERE IS NO GOING BACK ONCE YOU'VE HAD THE SURGERY. AT THE END OF THE MEETING HE TOLD ME THAT I WAS INDEED A CANIDATE FOR GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY AND HE GAVE ME A BOOK YES WITH DIAGRAMS AND ALL ABOUT STEP BY STEP WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE DURING AND AFTER AND AT THE END OF THE BOOK WAS A PLACE TO SIGN AND RETURN THE PAGE FOR THE "GO AHEAD FOR IT" I READ THE BOOK AND SIGNED THE PAGE AND TALKING WITH MY HUSBAND RETURNED IT THE NEXT DAY.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I HAVE BEEN A CATAPILLAR LONG ENOUGH I WANT TO BE A BUTTERFLY.. I am just tired of being over weight. not being able to keep up because I am winded. I am tired of getting side cramps and backachs and my hips hurt all because I am over weight. I want to go inot a store and see something small and pretty and have it fit. I want to go the mp ball with my husband wearing on of those skimpy little gowns. I just want to be healthy to see my grandchildren grow up. I want my sons to be able to hug all of me not just the part he can reach

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I am having DS/ RPD

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 am not afraid not yet it's 6/18 and it's not unitl 8/7/02 I am excited and wishing it was done already I am sure as the time gets closer then I will get alittle nervous but I like and trust my surgeon and I am here to talk to anyone who feels that they need to talk. it's almost time aug,10 surgery is the 14th and I am still not afraid I am so ready and I am not ever really alone I always have God with me. I wish everyone luck in whatever stage they are in on this journey

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 HAS BEEN PRETTY SUPPORTIVE MY HUSBAND IS THE MOST SKEPTIC OUT OF THEM ALL I DON'T KNOW IF HE'S QUITE READY FOR THE WORLD TO SEE HE'S THE JEALOUS TYPE AND HE'S ALSO LUCK ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO EAT WHAT EVER WHEN EVER HE WANTS AND NOT GAIN AN OUNCE HE'S ON THE OTHER SIDE OF IT I GUESS HE'S LIKE TO GAIN WEIGHT AND BOY WOULD I LIKE TO GIVE HIM SOME..LOL ANY WAY AS OF LAST NIGHT WE TALKED AND HE SUPPORTS MY DESCION TO DO THIS NOW HOW HE IS AFTER THE SURGERY I'LL HAVE TO GET BACK TO YOU ON THAT My husband is very supportive of my desision I am not sure if that were the case at first. he's alway telling me that he loves me no matter what size I am and I know he means it I don't want to be this big any longer.. I am absolutley driving them nuts with this because the closer it gets the more it takes over and consumes everything..my thoughts as well it's a good thing that they have this site it helps so much to read up on people that have walked in my shoes before me. I do have another site that I read on that are totally against wls they've had it done years ago and are all reversed and really thinks it's a bad idea altogether they do ten to get scarey but I wanted to hear good and bad so that I really know what I am about to get myself into. it's all very clear it's just a tool..a wonderful tool and I must do my part if I want to stay out of the plus sizes and lane bryant.. that choice is still up to me.

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

NOT A PROBLEM

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

My stay in the hospital was 6 days and when I was in ICU the staff there was wonderful. When I went to a floor I was glad I had family with me when ever I needed them because "My family gave me great care" I brought chapstick, wipes for my bottom, slippers, the common stuff oh yea and I brought my pillow from home.

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

Yes I did my surgery lasted 5 hours becasue when they were about to close me they wiped my spleen with a 4x4 nad it made me bleed so it lasted longer and my vocal cords decided to collasp around my wind pipe so I was on the resparator for two days. and the worst part was I guess they had my right arm postioned wrong or something because I tell you that's what hurt not my stomach but my arm and it's still painful I tell you the pain from the surgery was nothing I would have been off the pain meds right away but I keep taking them for my arm.

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 so excited and anxiouse! I was threw the roof my first date was the 7th of Aug. Just a few days before that my doctor receduled my date to the 14th so I had to go one extra week of excitement and I spent much time on obesityhelp.com I know I was driving my family nuts, The best thing I did I think was I went to my support group meeting that was the day before my surgery!! I went there with feeling very nervouse and alittle scared but those ladies are great it renewed my strength and reminded me why I was doing this surgery... to look and feel healthy and live longer for my family.

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

My first week was misrable and it was still mostly because my arm aurt so bad and I had limited use of it. I couldn't get comfortable at all I was swollen and puffy everywhere and I didn't sleep at all! I think if we'd have had a recliner I might have but that's not for sure.. I was uncomfortable in the bed (even with a zillion pillows) my butt was sore from sitting in a chair. I am so glad that part is over because it does get better.. and let me repeat myself my stomach pain was fine of course some soreness.

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

not far the hospital is only a few miles if that from my home. It has made my after care better because my family was so close.

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 have done very well with food so far! I have only thrown up once and I believe that's becasue I didn't chew well.. I had my surgery on the 14th and it's the 28th today and I had a check up yesterday and my Dr. Said I could eat whatever I want. I am just very careful and eat small portions I try to eat protien tune,chicken,but bites I take are small I use a baby spoon to make sure I keep them small. I don't have any sugar! I've had some reaction to dairy..one night it was ok and the next morning I tried the same and I couldn't get to the bathroom fast enough. I seem to have a problem with fat (which is ok with me) but, if the meat has even the slightest of fat I throw it up.

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

my activities the first week was slow moving I walked around the house alot but not outside, then next week was better I walked alittle farther each day still not far becasue my arm was so painful and it's aug in Ga it's hot hot hot.. I walked around the store and I did well, riding in the car I still "feel" the bumps. each day and week it gets better and I can feel more energy it's like my pulse even goes faster even when I am lying down.

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

I take pre-natel vitamins.. and that's all

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 vomited only once. I have had some nausia when trying new foods, and the worst has been the sleep distrubance I am just now finding myself able to sleep, mimimal hair loss so far. I still find it hard to sleep and I am over a month out I use sleep aids to help me to sleep. I use to be able to sleep like I had a button on my butt when I sat I could fall asleep. Now it's almost three months it's the 6th of November ( I had my usrgery on Aug 14th) and I am experancing hair loss I notice it but I am luck to have alot of hair if it gets too back I swear I'll get tracks in my hair! sleeping is back to normal actually I still do less of it because I have so much more energy that I don't have to "rest" and I guess I am sleeping like normal people.

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

The worst part has been the uable to find comfort and that's getting better.. the first week or two I really had to remember why I had chosen to do this but It's getting better everyday and everyday I am getting stronger. I went to my Dr. for my first post-op visit and I have had some dranage from one spot and he opened it and has my husband three times a day change the 4x4's that are absorbing the drainage..(yuck) I am still walking sround with an open area on my incision line and still putting gauze in it to absorb it so it can heal from the inside out.(update 11/06/02) my little leak is totally healed and I was lucky it never got infected!

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

I have a support group that has meetings twice a month and since we are military before I left the hospital the diatician asked if I wanted to join one there as well I said just give me a call. these support meetings are so important to me I ask questions ans I answer questions from pre-ops it's great and I go and visit my friends that have surgery. I mean this web site is great but it's wonderful when you get to meet people who have done it before you..even years out

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

My scare is from my breast bone to above my belly button and it's still healing I still have a area that is packed from drainage. update: 01/20/03 the top part of my scar is big and thick at the top at the bottom it is hard to even tell that I have a scar there.02/13/03 I think I have a hernia..I was doing some crunches on the floor when my husband noticed it sticking out of my incision area.. doesn't hurt but I have an appointment with my doc to see what to do.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have not experanced any yet! I only weigh myself at my Dr.'s appts (update 11/06/02) I had my surgery on Aug 14th 2002 I was in the hospital for six days and the day I left I weighted 279 and as of last week I am down to 215 that's down 64 pounds so I think that I am doing well.. it is still hard for me to see it because I still see the same ol me but, my family and friends say it's a huge diffrence. update01/20/03 I am down to 182 closing in on the hundred pound lost mark.. hope to hit that before 6 months out ( I am five now) all is good I don't weigh myself alot so I don't notice any plateau's like I would if I jumped on the scale every day.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, I get alot of compliments from people (not family much) and I think my daughters have a hard time with me getting thinner.. I don't see it as a threat to them but, I guess they do... I didn't do this to compete with anyone I did it to be a healthier me. My husband I don't think he notices me at all..02/13/03 I get alot of complitments from people my husband still doesn't say a whole lot.. he's like what do I have to say something to you everytime?? no just a you look nice once and a while would be nice.. I swear he wouldn't notice me alot unless I had antlers on my head