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

I have been researching on-line for several years. At first, I thought this was fine for others but I could lose weight on Weight Watchers. The problem is that I always regain the weight. I had grown tired of this "yo-Yo" effect and it was taking a tole on my health.

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

Let me just say I am very disappointed with BCBS of IL. They look for ways to not cover the surgery> I fit all of the medical criteria with a BMI of 42 and with other co-morbid health factors. I was on several programs such as Weight Watchers, NutriSystem, LA Weight Loss and Medifast over a 3 year period, but because I did not go to my doctor's office monthly to weigh-in and she did not document it as "Weight Loss monitoring" in her notes, I was denied. Even after 2 appeals and appeals to my Employer. So, I saved money and did private pay. Luckily, I got some discounts through my surgeon , hospital and anesthesia group that helped.

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

I was very impressed with Dr Johnson's explanations in the original Pre-surgery class, as well as in his meeting/exam with me. My husband attended as well and was very pleased with what he heard.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Health risks - My Mom died last year of Atrial Fib and my mother-in-law just had a stroke and Heart Attack. Through them, I saw myself in another 10 years. I have had a weight problem since puberty and have been morbidly obese for many years. I have 2 sister who have WLS (only 1 with great success.)

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I did a lot of research over the past 2 years. We have had several employees at my work who have had the Roux-en-Y procedure and did not follow the recommendations of their surgeon and/or Nutritionist. We have seen 3 develop osteopenia and developed stress fractures, or those who failed to take Vitamins and become malnourished and lose extreme amounts of hair.

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 only thought that I would die if I did not have the surgery..

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 and friends have been very supportive. I am still keeping info to myself for most part because I think it is a privacy issue for me and my husband. We can choose who we will tell and that is based on our trust of those people.

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

I only told him that I needed to have elective surgery. I was off 3 days of work because I work at a sedentary position.

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

I received wonderful care at Emory Johns Creek Hospital in Alpharetta, GA. I was in there from 8:30 am for pre-admit and was discharged by 2:30 PM. I brought along personal items in case I might need to be admitted for a 23 Hr admit.

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

No, I have had no complications at all. I have followed all of the discharge plans and dietary recommendations per my surgeon and his team.

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

It took me 7 days before I finally felt like I could make it through the day without a nap. I have not had any anxiety. I have lost 15 Lbs in 11 days so this has really kept my spirits up. The fact that I can actually now feel myself get "full" is amazing to me since that was always a problem that I had prior to surgery.

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

By the time I had drank 7 days of Unjury Protein shakes as my meals, I was ready to move to soft foods. I have only eaten those items given on my list of acceptable foods and have eaten slowly. I have learned to chew my food slowly and put down my fork between bites for 4-5 minutes. You have to follow these recommendations to the letter since this will you not "vomit" prior to your 1st "fill."

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

About 3 miles so it has not affected me at all.

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.

By the time I had drank 7 days of Unjury Protein shakes as my meals, I was ready to move to soft foods. I have only eaten those items given on my list of acceptable foods and have eaten slowly. I have learned to chew my food slowly and put down my fork between bites for 4-5 minutes. You have to follow these recommendations to the letter since this will you not "vomit" prior to your 1st "fill."

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

I started out just walking in my home, then moved outside after a few days. I am hoping to get released to using my treadmill this week (I am only 11 days post-op).

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

I take Flintstones Chewable Vits once a day. I also suck on chocolate Viactiv Calcium supplements twice daily so that I get 1000 mg Calcium per day.

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 so far, but again I am only 11 days post-op as of 6/23/08.

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

The gas pains which I felt up in my shoulder blades were the hardest thing to deal with, but walking and Liquid Tylenol helped relieve those pains. It took about 4 days before they finally lessened and then disappeared.

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

I attended the New Patient Seminar in 2007 and again 2008 at Emory Johns Creek Hospital. I am planning on attending my first Post-op Lap Band Support Group Meeting Thursday 6/26/08. I don't want to attend the one for those who had the Gastric Bypass because their discussions will have a different focus than mine, I feel.

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

I have 5 small stab wound incisions and they are doing fine. Having been a nurse for 30 years, I knew what to expect.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

N/A at this point.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet..