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

My sister had it done in West Virginia in 2002. I was very skeptical about it because I had not heard of it before so I was very concerned about her and how she would deal with it. I guess my first impression was that I didn't think it would work because we have both tried so many diets before and we failed. I thought this might be another failed attempt.

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

I am currently waiting for approval from Insurance. The only advice I can give at this point is to contact your Insurance Company FIRST and see what the guidelines are for surgery and if they even cover the surgery. Find out what your out of pocket expenses will be. Ask if that amount covers all the tests that will be done before the surgery.

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

Dr Throop was a very knowledgable, understanding and a down to earth man. He was very thorough with details about the surgery. He told me what type of people the surgery works for, how the surgery works, details about it. I left much more knowledgable about what to expect. I took a friend of mine who is also a nurse. She asked questions that I would have never thought to ask. I guess the way to get the most out of the meeting is to: 1 - Sit down and write all your questions out, no matter how silly you think they might be. I'm sure he has heard it all. 2 - Take a support person that is attentive and likes to know details and is not uncomfortable about asking questions. 3 - Be alert and attentive yourself while talking with him. He gives a lot of details about the surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I have been big for the majority of my life, from the time I was a child but I guess it REALLY got bad when I got married and had children. I never got the weight off. I have tried diet after diet but was never "taught" how to keep it off so I would gain it all back and then some. I decided to have the surgery because I am finally tired of looking like I do and not being able to do the things I really enjoy and not being able to feel comfortable at the things I have tried.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

It's not my choice which surgical procedure I have, but Dr. Throop advised that the more weight I lose before the surgery, the better my chances are at have the Laproscopic done.

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?

It's 06.13.05 and my surgery date is 07.18.05. Right now I do not have any fears about the surgery. I have heard nothing but good things about it and I am so excited about the surgery. I have done everything that was asked of me from my doctors, dietician and fitness instructor that I do not think I will have any complications. I am thinking positively. I used to say that "I was going to lose weight or die trying". If for some unforeseen reason, this surgery results in death, I do not fear that. I know who holds my future. 07.14.05 I have 4 days until surgery and still have no fears. I am too excited to have fears, this has been a long time coming and I am ready to make this change in my life.

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 is very encouraging. My sister had it done in 2002 and has done very well with it. I hope I do as well as she did, if not better :) 08.13.05 I still have the love and support from my friends and family. They are always concerned about me and have lots of questions to make sure I am doing what I need to do.

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

Everyone at my work has been so encouraging. The vice president of the company came up to me, shook my hand and told me good luck with the surgery. He seemed to be proud that I was doing something good for myself. My supervisor has been very good about all my doctors appointments and time I have needed off from work. My coworkers? They have all been interested in everything I have done and wanted to know everything. They have been great!! I told my supervisor last year that I was wanting to have the surgery. She was very supportive about it. They can't believe the time is now here. Tomorrow is my last day of work for a week or two. I just can hardly wait. 08.13.05 The vice president came over and motioned for me to go over to him and he said WOW, you are going to have to buy some clothes because you can really tell you are losing weight. I was so happy to hear that and it really made me feel good about the decision I made.

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

My stay was short and sweet. I went in at 11 am on Monday 07.18.05, to have the surgery and left on Wednesday at 10 or 11am. Every staff member was so nice to me. As far as what to bring. I would say do not take your own night gown because it will get stained from the incisions. I feel better after a shower and makeup so I took that: toiletries and makeup. I wore the same clothes home that I wore to the hospital, loose fitting clothes because you are still swollen when you leave. Of course, you need your "quick reference manuel" too.

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

No, There was no complications at all. I didn't even have to shoot myself up with the pain medication they had for me.

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 got my surgery date on 06.08.05. Surgery is 07.18.05. I am still so excited I can hardly stand it. Just anticipating what a change this surgery is going to have in my life is overwhelming. I don't have anxiety, I have excitement!!

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

Expect to be very sore and swollen from the surgery and get pampered. My mom waited on me when I got home. If someone wants to do something for you, LET THEM!! Getting up and down from a chair was difficult at first, bending over, OUCH!!. I came home thinking I can do this and I can do that. Well, I am not superwoman and it proved me wrong. I did walk several times a day on my balcony just to get some exercise. I would suggest asking your doctor for a waist band to help support your tummy. I left the hospital without one and I ended up having my Doctor write a prescription for one and it made a world of difference. I don't know why they just don't give you one after the surgery but it does help a lot.

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

My surgery is going to be on 07.18.05 at St. Mary's Hospital in Evansville, IN. I live approximately 3-5 minutes from the hospital.

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.

08.13.05 3 weeks post op. I can have: sf jello, sf pudding, lf cottage cheese, applesauce, eggs, cream of wheat, yogurt, sf popsicles, etc. Next week I can start my Soft food stage: fish, salmon, ham, chicken breast, crackers, peanut butter, etc. I've not found anything that I couldn't eat or tolerate except scrambled eggs. I eat them poached.

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

I've wanted to always be doing something, whether it be walking, going to a ballgame, going out, walking at the mall, or something.

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

I have already started taking and will continue to take after surgery: B12 Sublingual Vitamins: ONE every other day. Pepcid Complete: ONE tablet, twice a day Winnie the Pooh Complete Vitamin: TWO tablets, 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 have had no side effects. When I first got out of the hospital for the first week, I had loose bowels but Dr Throop said that was to be expected. I didn't do anything about it.

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

So far, the waiting period between finding out the surgery date and the actual date of surgery. 08.13.05 I would say taking the Barium test the day after surgery. It was the most awlful tasting stuff. It tasted like rotten cough syrup.

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

I am already signed up for the monthly support groups at St. Mary's Bariatric Center. We meet the third Monday of every month. I will not be able to attend the July meeting because that is the day of my surgery.

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

I have six incisions ranging from 1/3 of an inch to 2 inches. 4 of the 6 are hardly noticeable while the other 2 are the largest incisions and will take a longer time for them to heal. It is better than I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

08.13.05 For my second doctor visit after surgery, I only lost 5 pounds in 12 days. I was discouraged by that but figured I didn't gain any so I am still on the right track.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, not treating me differently, but I do have more people asking questions and wanting to know about the surgery.