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

My primary doctor told me about the surgery. He recommended it after many attempts with many different diets, some of which hospitalized me with many different ailments, some of which were life-threatning. His words were, "You could die in that wheelchair or die on your feet!!). He was trying to get me to face reality!! I was dying in that chair!!Do something about it!! Live lifa as long as you can and when you cannot , then give it up. In the meantime, live life as GOD has meant for you to do. My first impression was that my doctor had finally lost it or was just tired of me complaining about all of the pains and aches I was suffering with. At a point the ral meaning of what he was saying sunk in, I was killing myself with a spoon and a fork. There was more to life than just eating, GO FOR IT!!

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

I did not have to go through any problems with that> My doctors handled all of those problems for me. I was so fragile at this point, I probably could not have taken another rejection of any kind. If possible, please handle this very important factor long before you get to this point.

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

My first visit was frightful!! I was scared to death!! I was so unfamiliar with people caring about me, trying to make me as comfortable as possible. Tears were very close at all times. I really just wanted this to be over. I don't think I really listen to what was said, instead I was like a robot, doing what I was told to do.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I went back and forth for a year before I was stable enough to even make that decision. I went to many meetings and conferences mostly because I was fearful. Also my depression deepened about this time. I just sank lower and lower. I was under so much medication, most of the time, I was really unaware of what I was doing. One day, I was in a meeting and a man came in that had the surgery previously and was back because he was having problems. I could not understand how he had the surgery and then did not follow instructions. He was worse than he was at the beginning. That threw me for a loop! I asked the counselor how could that happen. He was very truthful and straight forward with me in explaining mind over body. I was entralled with his explanation. I wanted to be one of the successful people for once in my life!! I was successful in trying to kill myself with a knife and fork, which was totally unacceptable. Now, I wanted success for Shirley. I could something for me, that was totally in my control!! I could follow advice and live a longer and more fruitful life or I could shorten it like the gentleman I spoke about.It was a no-brainer, I wanted to live at any cost!!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

As I said I was too fragile to make decisions like that, so as before, the physicians got together and made the decision for me. I was too heavy and fat for anything except open gastric bypass surgery. The lapbands and other surgeries were out of the question because of my weight and size. Plus the fact I was unable to walk. All of these factors were weighed carefully, before the decision was made for the procedure.The surgeon also told me he was going to take my best working system and make it into my worse working system.

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 didn't really have a lot of fears. Remember, this was a chance for me to live, which I had not done for a long, long time, better than I had ever lived in my life because I had always had a weight problem. This was a chance to be out of a double-sized wheelchair and live like a real human being!! I say to others, "Look at where you are coming from, look to where you can go, ask the LORD for strength and put it all in HIS hands. HE will never leave or forsake you!!"

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 thought that I finally had lost my mind. All were very angry that I would even put myself through this. They were used to "BIG SHIRLEY" they were not ready to give me up yet and without their input and approval, no they were not happy campers.I would not have communicated anything to them any differently, knowing my family. My mother died from obesity and diabetes, they expected me to go the same way, even though they are not heavy like I was. After the surgery, just one sister came to see me,and the others all had detremintal things to say about me, but I chose to ignore all of the bad remarks and concentrated on bettering myself. Their opinions were not my problem, it was theirs. In essence, there was very little support from family.

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

I did not have a regular job. I was a family daycare provider, working for myself whenever I could at this point. So I did not have an employer to tell. I had been out of the mainstream for 17 years.

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

I had a special made bed that was equipped with pulleys, etc. that allowed me to exercise my upper body because my lower body was almost without any feelings because of the inactivity of being in the wheelchair.

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

I now take a prenatal vitamin. It has more of the supplements that I need. I also take B-12 in the injectable form once e week. I have medication that aids in my digestion, take medication to help my stomach ulcer, and a vitamin for anemia.

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 still have nausea, dumping, hair loss and sleep disturbace among other things and I'm 2+years post-op. Itry to stay away from the things that cause me to dump, I take medication that aids in digestion of food. My hair is beginning to come back, even though it is very thin and fragile. I take ccare of myself as best as possible. I rest often, try to eat correctly, but I still like diet coke. I take my vitamins religiously, exercise as much as I cam and am getting better at it.

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

The worst part about this surgery is the nausea, vomiting and diarreha. I found those things to be very unnerving. Sometimes, I would not eat just to keep the symptoms down. Realize that when you don't follow instructions, you will get sicker.

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

This is the first support group that I have even thought about having. I realize now that if I had joined a group/program before now, I would not have gone through so much alone.

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

My scar is terrible, from under my breastbone to my pubic area. I don't know what I expected, but I don"t think this scar was it. I'm praying that with the skin removed, and a belly button put back,the scar will be smoothed out. If not, well so be it. I have life again!!!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I cannot seem to maintain the goal weight that I want. It is not an unrealistic goal, it's just that I get there and the next thing I know, I'm gaining again. I don't understand that part. I continue to do as well as I can through these episodes, praying that all is well.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Of course they do. Some people don"t even recognize me now. Some come up tp me and tell me I look like someone they know. I just smile. When they recognize the smile, the screaming and yelling begins. The questions are endless. Men look at me now as a desireable woman. I have been told that I strut, not just walk. Isn't that wonderful?