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

I first heard of the surgery from a family member. My first impressions were that it would not work just like everything else I had already tried. But the more I researched the more I leared there is a way.. and their is hope that I may be thin and healthy!!

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

I have fought for over 2 years to have WLS. Blue cross/ blue shield denied me many times, and were terrible to work with! I now have another insurance company and am anout to start this whole process over.

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

I made me nervous a little... Be totally honest with your surgeon.. your life is in his hands!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I am in a online support group for the surgery. All the members that I met there were having their surgery and leading healthier lives... while I was still making up my mind and being unhealthy and fat. I guess seeing all my friend's sucess that made me decide it was right for me.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon helped me with that.

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 definatly nervous about complications from surgery. But, I am also nervous of not knowing what my future holds becasue of my health. I may be dead in 5 years.. or less. It is worth the risk for me to "go for it" It is my only hope left for a normal life! Surgery is not for everyone. I think one main deciding factor should be do the risks about weigh your life being as it is now... and for me the answer is YES, YES, and YES!!!

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?

For the most part everyone is excited for me. There are a few extended memebers who aren't sure if I made the right choice.. but will support me either way. The more I share with them the less nervous everyone is. I have educated each person about this surgery.. and let them know exactly why I need it... Be totally honest!

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

do not work.

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

My hospital stay was about as good as to be expected. It is not "home" and you don't get the rest you need, but I was well taken care of, and the staff was great.

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

I had a rough time after surgery. At first everything went well. I was set to be discharged, but when I got up to go my insision started draining a lot of fluid.They decided to keep me for another day. Durring that day I developed high fevers. (102-103) I was having trouble getting up and walking like I should. We later found out that my interneal stiches were tearing through my tissue causing severe pain. The staff though I was just being a big baby. Then I developed a blood clot in my left leg. I was haivng my blood drawn several times a day, as well as put opn high doses of Blood thinners.

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 a long wait from my approval date until my surgery date. Chatting online with friends, and going to see others in the hospital having this surgery showed me what to expect, and made me less nervous. But no matter what, it is normal to be anxious.

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

It was rough going home to where there was no "staff" to help you with your needs. It takes a few days to get back into a pattern, and find out the ways things work best for you. I had more complications than most people,so it was a little rougher on me than on most.But after being in the hospital 15 days, I sure was glad to be home!!!!!

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

20 miles. My surgeons office is very convenient for me, adn is a great asset in 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.

1 1/2 months post op: I am having problems with chicken. The first few times I ate it I was fine, but the last 2 times I tried it I was sick, and had terrible nausea. I can eat pasta, unlike a lot of post-op patients.I did fine at thanksgiving dinner, I just ate a VERY small about of the things I wanted ( no sugar of course)

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

It was rough being active soon after surgery. I have tried to push myself to get out and do things. After a month and a half, I am able to do things I was not able to do before surgery. I can walk for a longer period of time without having to stop and take a break. I still can not walk as much as I would like though. My back bothers me when I walk for a long period of time. I am looking forward to losing enough weight so this will also go away.

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

I am on ONE A DAY women's daily vitamins. At first I was taking 2 flinstone's chewables.

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 had little complications as far as food goes. I do not have any problems yet with dumping. But, I have been very strict with what I eat. I have tried to do everything by the book. I am sleeping better since I have been home from my surgery. I have had a few spells of nausea and vomiting, but usually it is my fault, I eat too fast sometimes, and my body always lets me know by voiting when I do this.

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

The worst part for me was trying to get up and walk after surgery. I was in so much pain!!! I knew something was wrong, but everyone thought I was just being a "baby". I could not MAKE myself stand or walk the first few days. Come to find out something was wrong. I inide tissue was tearing though my internal staples. This caused 2 herneas.

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

Dr Strickland stresses the inportance of follow up visits. He makes it clear from the very beginning this is a lifelong commitment. He has a support group that meets once a month. This helps a lot becausee no matter what stage you at at, there is someone else going through the same thing.

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

my scar is very long. Longer than most. This is because the ultasound of my gall bladder was unclear. My surgeon has to look at it, so he had to cut down a little farther than most.ity is taking longer than expected to toally heal.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

IN my 4th week I actully gained 6 pounds!! I ahve since lost them. The gain was from exersising more, and gaining muscle mass. This is totally mormal.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

no, I havn't noticed people treating me differently YET. It is too soon for most to notice any weight loss.