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

I saw the comercials on tv years ago and it wasn't until a friend of mine had it done and I saw how well it was working for her that I decieded enough was enough and went for it. I was tired of being overweight and not feeling good I was tired all of the time.

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

Insurance for me was a nightmare. But before you even consider this check into your insurance and see if they cover this type of surgery before your consultation so you can be prepared for what you need. My work would not cover it and I went through a rough time with them and then my husband applied for insurance through his work and they paid for the whole thing. It was in their insurance policy and I was so excited to find that out I cried for a long time cause I was so relieved with joy.

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

My meeting with my surgeon went pretty well. I was not scared because I ask my friend what she went through and having first hand knowledge prepared me for this. I also reccomend that you ask as many questions you can about the surgery and everything it entails. Get all the knowledge you can and don't be afraid to ask questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My best friend died of heart attack and it made me open my eyes to the fact that I want to live I want to enjoy life and just feel free and good about myself. I was tired of being FAT......

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I went with the Bariatic Treatment Center because that is were my friend went and I always liked the comercials on tv and they really answered all of my questions on the phone and personal consultation

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 think I had all the normal fears everyone has. How much will it hurt how fast will I heal and will I come out of this alive. I put my faith and trust in My Lord and I knew everything would be ok. I just put my fears aside and trusted in God because He had His hand on this whole operation as He does with many lives. AMEM

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 very supportive and of course friends also but some were skeptical. I would just have told them the same thing before. Everything will be ok and I have done my research and I am ready for a big change in my life starting inside. After surgery they were all wonderful and as soon as they saw results they got excited for me even as I am still loosing they get excited and say WOW great feeling.

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

My supervisor was very supportive. It still blows her mind away when she see's me. Your melting she says :) I was only out of work for 5 weeks and got back to work and took it easy like they tell you to. People around me watched out for me and helped me with daily things I could not handle and then I healed fast. They get a kick watching me melt in front of them ;)

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

I enjoyed my stay in the hospital but enjoyed going home most. I was there for 3 and half days. You do not get much rest when you are there though cause they wake you up to make you walk and check your vitals an so on but overall not a bad experience. Bring magazines and just yourself they supplied everything else. I overpacked and did not even use what I brought but my hair brush.

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

I did not have any complications the only thing that happened to me I kept busting my iv in my arm because my veins are really thin so the surgical nurses had to come down and put the iv back in my hand of all places and it stayed. The drugs they gave me were great knocked all the pain out of me. And I felt pretty good.

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 felt ANXIOUS, I finally got the date and I could not believe my dream was coming true.. I had to wait a long time since my consultation because that was in March of 2000 and I did not have surgery until Ocotober 2000 and I was so relieved. I just kept thinking about new clothes and how I was going to look in a year from surgery and remembered my friend and everyone else I talked to. I just kept the faith and knew it was all going to work out fine.

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

My first few weeks home were fine. I was tired allot because of the medication it made me sleepy. I was also restless because I could not do anything like clean or sweep and so all I could do was go outside and walk to break up the monontony of being home. But being home gave me time to heal and I did allot of reading and rested and really it was not so bad. At this time when you are home follow the doctors instuctions to a "T" . Do not do anything other than what you are supposed to do and you will heal faster and feel better for it.

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

I travelled 3 hours to have surgery. As for the aftercare it was not so bad it just took all day and I would go to my local doctor also so no problem there.

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.

One of the things I could not digest well was ketchup and I loved ketchup. I really did not have to much problems melted cheese made me a little nauseous at times so most of the time I did not melt it. Foods have been going down really well but I do watch the fat intake and I stay away from sugar completley. I use fructose for my tea and bake with it and I also enjoy surgar free candy (chocolates to)and I do not over do with those my stomach does not have the room :)

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

I pushed myself for the acitivty level. I was afraid of getting blood clots the first two weeks so I walked and made sure of it and now at 6 months later I still walk and I find that it makes me feel better and I enjoy walking and it is a nice thing to do with the one you love. It is our time together and we enjoy it cause we hold hands and just talk about the day together.

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

I have been taking the sugar free bugs bunny vitamins and now I can also take one a day but of course they have to be broken up in two so I can swallow them better.

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 have not had to much trouble with the side effects. I have had some hair loss but not to much. It is now starting to come back and it is a normal part of surgery. As for vomiting. I only had one occurence with that when I melted the cheese on a piece of chicken in the second month after surgery. Since then no side effects at all. Again I watch the fat intake and stay away from sugar so no dumping effect.

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

I think it was when I came out of surgery and I felt like my guts were split open and hey they were just sewed back up again. I made it through the first two days and those were the worst but I would do this all over again if I had to.

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

We have a support group that meets at the library every third sat of the monthe and it is really helpful and exciting to hear everyone's stories and also to lend support to those contemplating this surgery. I am now the support group leader and want to welcome anyone to come and join us.

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

My scar is a long pink line on my stomach. It is bumpy but it is still healing. It will shrink as I shrink and turn white with time. Just like my mom's open heart surgery scar mine will be the same. I really did not expect anything because I had seen scars before. My brother has so many scars from when he was little it did not phase me one bit. :) I am now into the 10 month after surgery and my scar is fading and shrinking along with me. I am not embarrased about it all.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I was told that when you hit a plateau it is only your body stopping so the rest of it can catch up. So I have hit one or two but then in a week or two I start loosing again. In the meantime, my body is loosing inches because the fat is turning into muscle and muscle wieghs more than fat. So it is a natural part of loosing weight. It is now July 2001 and My surgery was Oct. 2000 and I have had some plateaus from time to time and all I do is make sure I am getting my 6 small meals in and getting my protein take in and also excersinging because hey the body needs time to catch up and while I may not be loosing lbs. I am loosing inches and the fat needs time to turn to muscle and muscle weighs more than fat so I hope this encourages someone.:)

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, they are excited for me and of course people notice that have not seen me in awhile and say WOW again. I get excited and my self confidence in myself and what I can do now is boundless. I feel free for the first time in my life with my physical apperance. I feel beautiful.