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

I first found out about bariatric surgery from the tv commercial about Bariatric Treatment Centers over a year ago. My initial impression of surgery was that I was kind of skeptical because how could people be taking the weight off in such little time and I also was afraid because of the risks involved.

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

My experience with getting insurance approval for surgery was a good one. My insurance company was very cooperative and understanding regarding bariatric surgery. They approved my surgery in 3 1/2 weeks. I was very impressed with the turnaround for approval. I am very satisfied with my health insurance company. My advice for people in this stage is to have confidence in their insurance company and that they will approve their surgery and to also keep on top of them regarding the approval. Presistance works (when needed). I didn't have to give much persistance to my insurance co. because they had no problem approving this surgery.

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

My first visit with my surgeon was excellent. He is very informative and a pleasant person. Very knowledgable in the field of bariatric surgery. He knows what he is doing. I was very confident in my surgeon. Would not have chose anyone else. My advice to people to get the most out of their first meeting with their surgeon is to ask questions. Make sure you have a full understand about bariatric surgery before leaving the surgeon's office. To put your mind at ease regarding surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I finally decided to have surgery after meeting with the surgeon and the whole staff at Bariatric Treatment Center in Langhorne, PA. They are very informative and knowledgeable when it comes to bariatric surgery. I was very confident with them regarding having bariatric surgery. I knew from that moment on that I was going to go through a postive life changing experience with their help. I would recommend anyone to them. They are excellent in patient care and pleasant to deal with!! Thank You Bariatric Treatment Centers!! :-)

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I didn't decide what procedure to have. Bariatric Treatment Center only does one type of bariatric surgery-open RNY. I was comfortable with that procedure to be done.

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 first had fears when heard about the complications that could occur after surgery or even the possiblity of dying from the surgery. My mind was put at ease because I had full confidence in my surgeon and his whole staff. I also had full trust because I knew God would protect me during surgery and after (recovery process). I would tell other people who have the same fears now to just put full trust in God and everything else with fall into place. To trust their surgeon before surgery.

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 and friends were supportive of my decision of having surgery. One or two family members were surprised I was resorting to surgery but once I explained to them I have tried everything else to lose weight over the years they understood my decision. They then were supportive of my decision. My family and friends have been very supportive since I have had my surgery. So glad they are here for me when I need someone.

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

Not employed at current time.

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 excellent. The nurses and my surgeon took excellent care of me. They are very compassionate and caring when it comes to obese patients. I could not ask for better patient care. They were very concerned about my well being. Thanks again, BTC. My hospital stay was 4 days total. Make sure to bring a change of clothes for going home, your toothbrush, hairbrush, slippers, and any other personal items, a magazine of interest to read, a pillow for your ride home to put in between your incision area and the seat belt. To prevent rubbing of the seatbelt against your incision area. It helps. Make sure to bring your insurance card just in case they need to make a copy of it again even though it was taking during pre-op visits and last but not least is the most important thing to bring is your significant other or spouse for moral support before and after your surgery. My husband was excellent. Very supportive, caring and loving during whole time!!

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

No complications from the surgery. Everything went well.

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

In weeks after I got my surgery date, I was so excited. Could not wait for that day to arrive. Had a little anxiety about the surgery. Was a little scared on how the surgery would go. Once I eased my mind by praying. Everything was fine. I had confidence that God would watch over me and protect me during and after my surgery! The power of prayer really does work!! Try it! :-)

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

The first few weeks home from the hospital are full of ups and downs. One day you feel good and the next you feel like you came down with something. Having nausua comes and goes. My surgeon put me on Pepcid AC to relieve the nausua symptoms. It helps. People should expect to take it slow during this period. During this period take it easy (to heal properly), do not overdo it. Rest helps but walking as much as you can (even if it is just around the house) is the best regimen for the healing process. The more the walk the better you will feel. Take every step of the diet plan you are put on slowly. Don't rush ahead. It helps taking time to give your body and new stomach pouch a chance to heal. Don't get frustrated when it comes to food. Remember not to live to eat but eat to live (meaning eating healthly). God Bless Everyone. :-)

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

I traveled an hour and half to have my surgery. It was well worth it. It does not affect my aftercare because I was given a special number to get a hold of the surgeon if concerned about my recovery process or in case of an emergency. The distance has not affected any of 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.

So far the only thing that has affected my in a negative way after surgery was the sugar-free gelatin. It gave me constant diarrhea the first week after surgery. Which made me feel weak and sluggish. My surgeon told me to stop it for a few days to see if it helped. It did. Then he told me I could gradually put it back into the diet regimen I am to follow. So far, in 4th week of recovery process, and so far can tolerate any food that can be pureed. Have not experience any problems with this stage. Almost ready for soft foods (which consists of most things out there-ex:ground meat such as beef, turkey, chicken, toasted bread with 100% fruit spread, etc.). Not experience any foods off limits as of yet. The only thing I was told to stay away from is foods high in sugar or fat (reason for this is could experience dumping syndrome-which is getting sick to your stomach-bring the food you ate right back up and can also experience constant diahrrea).

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

Activity level for first week was pretty much nothing. Felt some discomfort from incision area and a little sore from the surgery. Also felt a little weak due to experience some diarrhea was having. After first week when was put on full liquid stage which including protein shakes. This boosted my energy/activity level greatly. Felt more energentic. Now that I am eating normal things in a pureed stage my energy level/activity level as gone back to pretty much normal. Stil have days were I experience some nausua and don't feel so well for a little while but I does pass. As per my surgeon I am also able to resume limited exercises-such as using a treadmill-very slow stage though). It has help boost my energy with a little bit of exercise in my daily routine. Remember to keep walking though. Walk, Walk, Walk. It helps the healing process and helps with the weight loss.

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

After first week of surgery, started with vitamins in 2nd week after surgery. The vitamin consist of a complete multi-vitamin. Chewable kind. Easily digested by new stomach pouch. Highly recommend-children's chewable vitamin-make sure complet multi-vitamin also.

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?

So far only side affects from surgery where nausua. Nausua has been somewhat persistant. Had one episode so far of vomiting. Which turned out to be that I caught a virus and was vomiting all day long. Last only 24 hrs. No hair loss to report (thank God for that one). I cope with the nausua by resting when it becomes bad and also take Pepcid AC to calm it down. It helps. I coped with the vomiting from the virus by resting for a whole day without doing anything stressful.

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

The nausua and some pain. But it passes in time. Just remember that. The rest of the process, I have no complaints. Everything went well during my surgery, no complications. Also during the recovery process. Couldn't ask for better care and a better surgeon. Very satisfied with both. Thanks once again, Dr. Marymor and BTC!! :-)

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

Have 2 support groups to attend. These are very helpful and important because the moral support during this whole weight loss and recovery process is what you need.

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

My scar is about 6-8 inches long straight down the middle. It was what I expected because they informed me what it should look like before I had the surgery. I knew it would be that big because had open RNY procedure done. The scar is well worth it. The weight loss is the important thing in all of this.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, because the people I deal with all know I had this surgery done. They treat me the same because they like me for who I was on the inside and not what I looked like on the outside. Have a great family/friends support system.