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

I had a lady at church that had it done years ago. I thought she was silly for having it done. Back then it was not heard of around here. I thought you should do everything in your own power to loose weight. But the more I researched it and after 5 years or 10 years go by and you gain 20, 30, 40, or even 50 pounds I seen why she had it done.

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

The first doctor I went to his staff did not help me in any way what so ever to get approved. I waited about three years after seeing him because I got so frustrated. I was out a couple thousand dollars and still no surgery. Then a really good friend of mine, her mother had surgery. She really like the surgeon. So I called them up and you went to one of his lectures before he would see you in the office. I took my husband with me and about 3 months later I was approved. To me and this is my opion only.... you need a doctor that is willing to help you know what the insurance wants before you submit everything.

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

I took a paper with questions. I also had to attend a lecture that took about one hour then it was open for questions. I used this to my best ability. It was actually give by the surgeon that did my surgery. It also helped because you got to hear other peolpes questions and you might not have thought about that one yet. My first visit to the doctors office was a great experience. I had to always have someone with me at my pre op visits so if they have any questions the doctor can answer them. They will be the ones to help take care of you when you get home so this is very important.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I kept on gaining weight no matter what I did. I have had several friends that have had it done and it has worked for all of them.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The doctor helped me with that decison. He let me know what he thought would work best for me.

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 night before surgery I got a notebook and wrote down all my thoughts that night. I was not affaid of dying. I was affraid that I would wake up and they would not have been able to preform the surgery. That could be a possiblity. Find a surgeon your comfortable with. Go to the lectures that some of them have or if you have a friend that has had it done and go to an appointment with them. The surgeon is the key in my book.

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?

At first my husband did not want me to have it done. I did not like the first sugeon I went to though. I went to a lecture and took my husband with me. He then decided it would help me in the long run. My family helped me when I had it done you really need a good support group at home. My mom took off work for a week to do my housework and my children really helped me alot.

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

N/A

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

The hospital put sugar jello on my first tray I got. So make sure your family checks your tray. I was only in the hospital two days. Bring comfortable clothing to wear home. Walk, Walk, Walk that will help with the sorness.

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

I was very lucky I had no complications.

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

The mood swings were really bad. I could not eat real food only dring and that is really hard when you are an emotional eater. I called a friend that had it done about a year ago she said it would get better after a couple of months. She also said you would have to remind yourself to eat after a few months and thats true. At first I kept telling my husband this is soooo not worth it (having the surgery) but when you get your first scrambled egg it gets better. :)

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

Have plenty of stuff to drink. I found only one protien shake I liked and that was hard. I found ways to make it taste different. I would put a piece of peppermint in the shake to give it a little flavor. I really had a hard time with drinking all the time. But it does get better.

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

It takes about 45 min. to get to my doctor. It's not that bad I live in nowhereville. We do not even have red light. So I have to drive 25-30 min. for anything.

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 diet is clear liquids it lasted 5 days for me ( broth, water, sugar free jello, sugar free popsicles, unsweet decaf tea or coffee, absolutley no cabinated drinks of any kind are allowed.) Then for two weeks after sugery I could have full liquid diet (clear liquids plus protien shakes). Two weeks until four weeks after surgery (puree/soft foods scrambled eggs cooked soft, puree beets, carrots, squash, pumpkin, broccoli, green beans, zucchini, etc. Protien foods steamed or poached fish, canned mashed chicken or salmon or tuna, low fat cheeses, thinly sliced turkey or chicken breast, finley ground or pureed poultry, lamb, veal. You can still have broth and some drained soups. 4 weeks untill 75% off excess body weight Avoid rice, pasta, untoasted bread. When I tried chicken breast the first couple of times it did make me sick. I had a hard time with steemed broccoli at first. You just have to try something and see for yourself. I can now have about anything I want you just have to take it slow and if it makes you sick try it again in a few months chances are you can eat it.

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

When I first came home I was sore and slept alot. After about 6 weeks I was doing better than ever. I have more energy than I have had since I was a teenager.

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

calcium citate, fumarate iron, multi vitamin/mineral, B12, nexium( only for a few months does my doctor recomend)

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 only vomited 3 or 4 times. And it was with chicken breast and I over ate a couple of times. Don't eat that one more bite when you feel full. Best thing is to fix a smaller plate and you dont think you have to eat everything on it. I have had the dumping syndrome a couple of times. Thank the Good Lord it wasn't as bad as some people. It has been 3 months since surgery and I feel really good.

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

Learning not to eat. I found it really hard to drink for 2 weeks. I still have trouble portion controll. I need to put smaller amounts on my plate. Its hard when everyone around you can eat twice as long as you can.

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

I have several friends that have had this done. We stay in touch either on the phone or through the internet. I need to go to a support group meeting really bad. It has conflicted with my schedule so far. If I have questions I usually call one of my friends and ask how long does this last or how can I do this different. You really need someone you can talk to that can tell you easier was to cope with stuff or how to fix one of your favorite dishes only healthier.

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

My scars are only about 1/2" long. I have about 4 or 5 of them. I have had several surgerys on my abdomen and these are not any different. I think in time they will be less and less noticeable.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I usually loose really good for a couple of weeks then it stops for a week or so then I start loosing again. I am down 73 pounds in 3 months.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Most people are really nice and really glad you are losing weight. Then you have a few people who are jealous. It is hard to be around the jealous ones but in time they will come around. People do look twice sometimes now when I walk by and that feels good.