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

MY DOCTOR RECOMMENDED BARIATRIC SURGERY ALMOST TWO YEARS AGOBUT I RESISTED. I WAS AFRAID TO BE CUT OPEN AND WORRIED ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES. EVENTUALLY I READ AND STUDIED ON THE INTERNET EVERYTHING I COULD GET MY HANDS ON. I WAS FINALLY CONVINCED THIS PROCEDURE COULD AFFORD ME A WHOL.E NEW LIFE

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

I STILL DO NOT HAVE APPROVAL AND IT HAS BEEN ALMOST 3 MONTHS. THEY KEEP SAYING SOON BUT IT NEVER SEEMS TO HAPPEN!

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

MY FIRST MEETING WAS VERY INFORMATIVE. HE ANSWERED EVERY QUESTION WE ASKED HIM,WE TOOK A LIST OF THINGS WE WANTED TO DISCUSS SO WE WOULDN'T FORGET ANYTHING. I DID NOT FEEL RUSHED. WE LEARNED A LOT THAT DAY.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

MY DR SUGGESTED SURGERY 2 YRS AGO AND I RESISTED.AS TIME WENT BY AND THE WEIGHT DIDN'T CHANGE BUT MY MEDICAL PROBLEMS WORSTENED I REALIZED I HAD TO DO SOMETHING IF I WANTED TO LIVE A NORMAL LIFE. IT IS A HUGH DECISION TO MAKE AND ONCE I MADE IT I HAVE NOT CHANGED MY MIND.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I GOT ON THE WEB AND RESEARCHED THE TYPES OF SURGERY AVAILABLE. ONCE I WENT TO THE BTC I LEARNED THEY ONLY DO THE OPEN RNY SO I DECIDED TO GO FOR IT

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 FEARFUL OF THE SURGERY BUT I'M MORE FEARFUL THAT I WILL DIE IF I DON.T HAVE IT. THE QUALITY OF MY LIFE IS GETTING WORSE AND I REALLY DON.T THINK I HAVE A CHOICE.I WANT TO BE ABLE TO ENJOY MY GRANDCHILDREN AND MY MARRIAGE AND MY PROFESSIONAL LIFE. EVERY DAY IT GETS A LITTLE HARDER TO NAVIGATE AND I CAN,T STAND THE THOUGHT OF NOT DOING THE THINGS I ENJOY.

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

MY HUSBAND AND I OWN AND OPERATE OUR OWN BUSINESS SO I DID NOT HAVE TO CONTEND WITH THIS PROBLEM

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

I had surgery on Wed and went home Sat.The worst thing was the bed (I feel it should have been thrown out several yrs ago)The pain is pretty bad the first two days but it's bearable.Nurses were all nice and care in general was good.I took my own pillow,cosmetics etc.I used the pillow but the cosmetics were a waste....I never felt like putting on make-up ( and I never leave home without it!)I used my robe and slippers and my comb and brush.

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

I had very little problems with surgery.I didn't like waking up with the breathing tube in because I had a fear of it but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.I did want it out once I was awake.I feel fortunate in doing so 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?

It has been 4 weeks and I feel great.I am walking 40 minutes a day now and today I begin my week of soft foods.I have not vomited and have only had discomfort a few times.I have tried to do everything by the book and so far it's working.I am nervous about eating food without smushing it but they told me to eat slow and chew,chew,chew. I worry I will overeat and not lose enough.Hopefully I can attend the next support meeting.This site is very helpful before and after surgery.I also call the clinic with any questions and concerns I may have.Sometimes it takes a day or two to gert back to me but they do always call.

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

The first week was a bit rough. My Mom stayed with me while my husband was at work.I am very fortunate to have a lot of family support.This is embarrassing but the first week I couldn't wipe my own bottom and had to rely on my husband and Mom to do it for me!Second week I could do it myself.I started walking from the first and have increased it some each week.Mushing all your food gets very tiresome and boring.Each week gets easier.The pain isn't bad after the first week or so.

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

I had to travel approximately 60 miles each way.I have to stop and walk after each 1/2 hr.It is far to go to have staples out,appointments etc. but I think it is worth the drive. I feel Dr Schreiber is the best in his field and worth the trip.

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.

The first four weeks have been rough.It gets very boring very fast.I had an egg pulverized almost every day for extra protein and have drank more milk than I have in the last twenty yrs.Today I start a wk of soft foods and I am somewhat nervous about it.I miss chewing food and miss bread and meats,I will gradually start these things this week.iT has now been 61/2 wks.I am on regular food and tolerate most everything but beef.I did forget to chew something well the other day and it got stuck.I thought I was going to die.I do not eat anything with sugar or a lot of fat and stay on my 1000 calorie diet.

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

I have not attended a support group meeting yet (last month was right after surgery)I am looking forward to the upcoming meeting.I call the clinic with any questions and concerns I may have.I went to my first support meeting the other week.It was fun meeting other people and seeing how they are doing.

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

Right now the scar is still pretty red but it has only been 4 wks since surgery.It is healing nicely and without any problems.I knew it would be a long scar and I am not surprised with how it looks.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I hit a plateau between 4 and 5 weeks.I went over a week without losing.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I have only lost 30 lbs so far so I cannot comment at this time.