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

Through word of mouth. I have my own business and have met several people through it who has had the surgery. At first I felt that it was a "cop out" But the more I reserched it and learned about it through obesityhelp the more I realized the it is a life changing surgery and that I am not really "coping out" Just getting the help I need to live a healther more active life for me as well as my family.

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

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (traditional) is AWSOME!! I never had to deal with them. Dr. Scholten's office did it all. All I needed to do was to meet the criteria. They did the rest.

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

I really liked Dr. Scholten from the very beginning. He sat down with me and had a diagram of the stomach and explained to me in detail what the procedure was and what I was expected to do before and after surgery to make this successful. I felt very confident after the first visit.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

All of my health problems that seemed to creep up on me as my weight creeped up as well. I was 42 years old and didn't see me growning old at the rate that I was going. Once I did research on this web site and spoke to several people and met with my surgeon, I was certain that I was making the right decision.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I spoke to someone that my husband used to work with and she had this surgery done lap., and she was very pleased with it. So I decided to make some phone calls to see if I qualified for it as well. I was excited that Dr. Scholten does the Laproscopic surgery. I really wanted to have it done that way so that I wouldn't have the big scar, however you have to meet certain criteria and I thought that if I didn't then I was more than willing to have the open. But as it turned out I qualified. Yah Hoo!

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 really don't have alot of fear of dying from the surgery. However it is a little scary everytime you get put under. So all I can offer is put it in God's hands and have faith. There is nothing more we can do.

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?

I am still waiting for my surgery which is in 4 weeks. I took my mom and mother in law and husband and 21 year old daughter to the orientation and they all agree that for my health it is the right thing to do. So I suggest that anyone who has family or friends that are sceptical, take them to a support group.

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

Fortunately, I am self employeed.

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 from Friday morning (day of surgery) until Monday afternoon. I was at Butterworth in Grand Rapids, MI I feel that the staff was wonderful. (from what I can remember) I felt like I was over medicated for the most part. Because as soon as I got home I wasn't taking the pain medications around the clock and I started to feel much better right away. Recovery was amaizingly fast.

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

No. I did have some issues with my breathing once I was in recovery. I had severe sleep apnea and with that and the pain medication I was having a difficult time breathing.

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 anxious for the weight to come off and to get off of all the medications that I would eventually not be needing anymore. I was not allowed to use my C-pap machine at all so I was having a little anxiety about not sleeping very well for the first few days. But within the first week at home I started to sleep very well and then there were no more anxieties.

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

This was probably the most uncertain period. If you follow all the instructions that your doctor gives you and not listen to what so and so's doctors says that they can do then you'll be fine. If you aren't sure of anything call your doctor.

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

I drove to Grand Rapids which is only about 45 miles.

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.

My doctor's instructions were very strict. I was only allowed liquids for the first 6 weeks. I went from clear liquids to full liquids and then I was to add certain foods slowly. I did eat things that were not "allowed" and I had very bad stomach aches. I learned quickly what to not eat for a while. It has been on year now and I am able to eat what ever I want. I do avoid too much sugar and fat they both make you feel cruddy if you over do it. I don't miss it at all. My tastes have changed so much. Things that I used to love I no longer care about. Ice Cream for one. I would rather eat a grapefruit instead. Wow! Who know's what they do to your brain while your out. ~

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

I was tired for a while but I recovered quickly and was back to work within the first couple of weeks. I didn't get my energy back for probably 2 months.

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

I take Centrum A to Z B-12 Iron And be sure to get plenty of calcium.

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 really didn't have many. I was very worried about hair loss because I already have thin hair and couldn't spare a hair. So I was concious of my protein intake and didn't lose any hair. If I ate too much sugar at one time I would feel nausiated for a bit. If I ate too much fat I would get diareah. But neither would last too long. I just know now, how my body reacts to these things.

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

Going for the upper GI the day after surgery!!! I am sure that it wasn't really that bad, but I think that the morphine made me feel sick to my stomach and I wanted to sleep and not be bothered.

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

I attended a support group in town and got stories from all kinds of different people. I also have friends who have gone through this and we talked about how things work for them and compare stories. I think that just talking to other people is the best support.

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

I had my surgery 1-25-02 and I have 5 tiny incesions and they are almost not visable anymore. It is better than I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I hit a major plateau in my 9th month. I didn't loose a pound for 6 or 7 weeks. Its a bit scary thinking that you could be done. But I started loosing again. I started out needing to lose 100 lbs. I lost 86 lbs in a year and I am feeling like the rest is going to be up to me to work harder to get rid of the last few lbs. Who know's this could be yet another plateau. I'll let you know.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, I just get alot of compliments. Everyone has been very supportive. My husband may treat me differently (better of course) not that he didn't treat me great before. But I don't think that he realizes it, he is far more complimentry.