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

I saw and add on TV and called the number. I talked to a lady but the BTC didn't accept my insurance....that got me thinking, I saw a Dr nearby but chickened out I guess. But then I started having feet, leg problems and got afraid that I would end up wheel chair bound if I didn't do something. I am only 34 ya know.

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

I went for my consult and filed all the paperwork with my surgeons nurses, they took it from there. I did call the insurance Co once to check on my status, it was being reviewed. I let them know I was serious and would appeal any denials, I was approved in 3 weeks time.

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

I was nervous of course but Hubby was with me. I knew alot from this website so I didn't have too many questions. Mostly about his proceedures and after care. Hubby asked a few about the surgery statistics (the scary stuff). Dr Canady was thorough and didn't hesitate to answer. He was relaxed and that helped me tremenously.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Once I got the consult I jsut let the ball roll!! Once I got my approval and surgery date it became REAL.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

OPen RNY was what I read most about and that is what my surgeon did.

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?

The usual, blood clot scares. But shoot I was gonna need gall bladder surgery soon so I took that as I could go either way, might as well DO something about the weight while I was under LOL> I tell them that I have NO regrets (even tho I DID have clots). That I felt my time was limited from the weight as it was.

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?

Hubby was not for it at all until he met the surgeon and met a few people that had the surgery. Then he was ok with it (I think cause he knoew it ment so much to me). Mom was a bit negative at first (making comments on how miserable I'll be not being able to eat my fave foods etc). But once she realized I was going to do it no matter what she became one of my biggest supporters.

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

She couldn't do much about it as it was my right. My insurance was thu hubby's work. She just hired a temp until I came back. (I went back after 8 weeks).

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

I felt that the hospital was so understaffed. Those nurses were great but just not able to tend to us patients as quick as needed. I was in there 4 ( 1 ICU 3 regular floor) days as I had trouble getting my breath and stayed and extra day. Then I had blood clots develop in my lungs 2 days after getting home and went back in for 4 more days in ICU. The ICU nurses SUCKED.

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

I had blood clots in my lungs after being home 2 days. I went into ICU and had blood thinners and a vena cava filter implanted. During all the testing and table jumping my inscision opened about and inch or less and that had to be packed (by me) and changes 2 x daily.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

As soon as I got my surgery date I was so let down. I had my date in Jan but my surgery wasn't until April. Dr was having knee surgery. Not his fault I guess but darn I had waited so long. had my consult in Aug 02 had surgery April 03 !!

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

I was quite sore but not so bad that I had to have pain meds. I took them at night tho. I slept in my own bed with TONS of pillows. I moved a bit hunched over until those staples came out but I did pretty good. I did tire easily and took about a 3 hr nap daily.

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

Holzer is about an hr drive for me. It didn't really affect my after care much I will gladly drive there to get my weight checked LOL>

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 don't tolerate meats too well unless they are ground, I don't do breads at all. They get stuck. My main problems have been from eating too fast not what I eat. I still have not had sugars as I don't want that habit to start.

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

Right after surgey I was so weak and easily tired. I ended up taking 3 hr naps daily for about 6 weeks. Now I have more energy than before surgery!! Also I sleep so much better at night than before surgery (no I didn't have sleep apnea but slept terrible anyway).

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

I take 3 childrens chewables a day and 3 tums at night. I did find a good calcium combo that I just switched too. I also plan to go away from the childrens chewables to an adult formula (like prenatals, I hear they are very good foe us ladies)

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 just had problems with indigestion and eating too fast. both are getting better (meds for the indigestion, learning NOT to eat so fast).

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

I have to say ICU, the nurses were totally unsymapthetic to the patient. Rolling their eyes, getting huffy, not coming when called etc. Totally not professional.

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

I attend 2 differet suppor groups. One local and one thru the Hospital I had my surgery at. I also just joined Curves for excersize. My family is also very supportive of me.

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

Yep its what I expected. Not pretty but I don't worry about that. I knew there was scars after surgery and that was not even a concern.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I just hit my 1st palteau at 12 weeks. I only lost 1 lb that week. But then this week I lost 4 so I guess I just slowed down not stopped. I know to expect them. I joined Curves to help speed it back up.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

They always ask how I'm doing and how I'm doing on the weightloss but not much different. I find myself acting better, wanting to dress better, keep my hair fixed better etc. tho.