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

My husband read about it and ask me if I knew it could be done laprascopically now. I began to research it on line and make phone calls to surgeons in this area. It took several months, but I have arrived. I knew that this was an answer to prayer for me.

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

This part was fairly easy. The person who handled insurance at my surgeon's office gave advise in advance on how to handle appeal letters if necessary. I was approved in a couple of weeks. Anyone trying to do this should make sure you have ALL the information before your surgeon's office submits your paperwork for approval. Don't try to leave anything out. Go over it several times and have it all there on your first try.

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

My first visit was very good. I made a list of questions in advance and took them with me. You need to leave from this visit feeling like your questions have been answered and you have total confidence in your surgeon. My surgeon took is time, answered my questions and I left the office feeling very confident in my choice of surgeons. I think the main piece of advise would be to make a list of questions. Start on it a week early. You will still think of things later, even after starting early.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The paperwork part of this whole process can get quite tiresome and sometimes discouraging. Finding a surgeon in your area that meets your needs can be difficult. When it all comes down to it, if you persevered and kept on keeping on, then you are SERIOUS about wanting this surgery. I knew this was my last chance to help myself and I am so thankful for it.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I am having the mini-gastric by-pass. I felt this to be the safest with less side-effects. Everyone should read about all the procedures and decide with their surgeon what is best for them.

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 human, so therefore I am scared about the surgery. I feel that I am under the care of a good surgeon and going to be in a hospital facility with a good reputation. I am trusting in the Lord to see me through. It is a major decision and should not be taken lightly. I plan to do everything they tell me to do and take care of myself according to the plan and have follow-up care as directed. You have to deal with your fears and be sure you are doing the right thing for yourself.

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 have a wondeful husband and 2 children, ages 28 AND 24. They love me and are supporting me 100%. They are also kind of scared for me, but that is normal. I think you need the support of your family or someone close to you to help you get through this whole process.

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

Not working due to multiple sclerosis.

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 for 3 days. I received excellent care. I didn't use anything I took except for personal hygiene items. I wore hospital gowns for 2 days.

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

I had my surgery November 4. I started having pain in my lower leg in about 2-3 weeks. I at first thought it was muscle pain but when it persisted, I went to the doctor and had tests. I had 2 blood clots in my leg. I am on coumadin for 3-6 months for treatment of the clots.

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 excited and scared. I had really researched this and pursued it with all my heart. I knew this was the answer for me.

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

This was more difficult than I had anticipated. The first 2 weeks were hard. You are adjusting to a totally new life-style and coping with pain from the surgery. You are so sore, it is difficult to do move. After 4 weeks, I began to feel better and have more energy and the soreness almost completely went away. I am proud of myself that I had the courage to go through with the surgery and do this for myself. I am very happy I did it. It is difficult to adjust to the fact that you cannot eat what you want in the beginning. Food was a comfort thing for me and when you are getting over major surgery and you can't have that comfort, it is difficult. I thought about food almost all the time for 2-3 weeks. Now, it doesn't bother me. A small amount of nutritious food fills me up and I am happy with that. You have to work through these feelings and emotions and hold on to the promise that it will get better and you can handle it.

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

I had to go about 2 hours away from home. It didn't affect my aftercare at all. There is a support group where I had my surgery that I haven't been able to attend yet but plan to next month.

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 followed the diet prescribed by the nutritionist to the letter. It was a liquid diet, followed by a pureed diet and then soft foods. When I could introduce new foods, I did so in only small amounts. I have tolerated foods very well, but I have been cautious about the amounts I eat when trying new things. This part has been easy for me.

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

I tried to walk at least 3 times a day. It isn't easy due to the soreness in your abdomen but the more you walk, the better it feels. I was also very tired due to the surgery and I also have multiple sclerosis. After about 4 weeks, I started to feel better.

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

Multi-vitamin daily Vitamin B-12 2 times weekly Tums 2 twice daily

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 was not able to sleep very much for the first several weeks. My surgeon suggested I take Benadryl liquid to help me sleep. That did help me sleep a little better. This also got better in about 4-5 weeks.

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

Due to the medications I took, my pain medication did not work for very long at a time. The first 24 hours were very hard for me until they figured out why the pain medication was not working. Then they came up with a new plan for pain management and it was much better.

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

I haven't attended yet but plan to next month.

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

I have 6 small scars.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Ihad surgery 2 months ago and have been steadily losing.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I sometimes feel uncomfortable when people are commenting about how good I look now. I am not used to people noticing me and telling me I look good. No one treats me differently.