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

My first impression of the surgery was one of NO WAY!!!!!! of course the first one to mention the surgery was my mother-in-law. But I began to rationally think things through and do alot of research on the internet.

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

Insurance approval was a breeze. I had taken the advice of those who had previously done this and stayed in constant contact with the. I was approved very quick.

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

My fisrt meeting was at a Saturday Seminar with Dr. Miles. I had already received so much knowledge that everything that he had covered I had already read. My first personal appointment was bried because I did go prepared.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My family. I knew that with my family history of heart problems I wanted to live more than I wanted to eat

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My insurance would only cover the roux en ry surgery so there was no decision to be made

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 was never worried about complications but death did come to mind. Especially with my kids. My oldest son had one senior english teacher tell him how stupid I was and that I might die but we covered that hurdle and they were ok. I did joke going inot surgery. It was the beginning of December 2003 and going into the surgery room I wore elf socks and a santa hat just to joke and lighten things up.

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. They are very supportive now as well. We all walk as a family each day. This is giving us more family time too

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

My boss is just great. She has been very supportive as well. Even the principal where I am is supportive as well.

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

I had surgery on a Friday and went home on Monday. I would have gotten to go home sooner but Dr.Schmitt thought it would be a good idea to wait the normal amount of time. Medical Center East was great. Especially one nurse. This particular nurse had the surgery done in another state before moving to ALabama so she was well aware of what I was going through.

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

My surgeon said that he should have done an open instead of the lap due to the fact that I was larger than he had anticipated but he had already started and it just took him a little longer than normal.The only other complications with surgery was being very nausiated. But this is normal.

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 sore but the more I moved around the better I felt. I didn't have alot of gas that most people speak of either. I stayed very sleepy but that is normal as well.

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

Expect some frustration due to the fact of your eating habits are alot different. But don't give up. Make sure that your fluid intake is as much as you can handle.

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

The hospital where I had surgery was only 5 miles from my home

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 month was of a liquid type. Broths, jello, water, tea The second month was of a paste testure. Cream potatoes, andything soft and mushy Toward the end of the second month I have been able to handle 1 Krystal Burger, toppings off of 1 pepporoni pizza no crust, turkey,eggs,cheese,most anything my family has. Things that do not work are fried foods,rice,some dried beans,some breads. Some sugar has been ok.

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

In the beginning all I wanted to do was sleep and I did, but in the weeks to come the energery level has gone up 75%

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

a multi vitamin so far is the only one

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?

Nausia was the worse thing. Sleep was only a problem in the few days after I got home but now it is better. No hair loss to date. Some dumoing but that was with trial and error with finding foods that might work

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

I think the worst part was the first few hours after waking up. You are in some pain and the anesthia still in your system makes you not sure of what has happened. Of course we all ask in those first few hours what have I done. lol

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

I ahve gone to the support group at MEdical Center EAst with Rona a few time but staying busy with family, work and church this is support enough for me.

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

I have 6 small scars on the upper stomach area. One of which is a drainage scar. None of them are larger than 1"

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had 2 weeks that there was no weight loss but in 9 weeks I have lost 55 lbs

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES...but it could be due to the change in the way I present myself too. Loosing wieght adds back so much self esteem