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

I guess I was in my twenties,2 friends of mine had a type of wls done and 1 did fine the other died, so right there I always said I would never ddo that to myself,but later on in life, my family doctor saaid I had two choices, either have WLS or DIE, that scared me,because at that time I had a small young child at home to take care of, After long research on the computer and a person that was interviewed on a local news station, I decided to go even futher,I made that first step and had a consult, It was scarey but I knew this was an important step to another recovery in life !!!!!

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

I really didn't have to deal with the insurance company,Dr.Booth's staff did it all, only they had to resubmit once, but oberall everything went smooth. My advise is "If at first you don't suceed try and try again" it will happen for you!!!!

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

The meeting went very well, although I had done alot of research on the BPD-DS,there are always questions that need to be answered ans Dr.Booth is there to do just that. He is a great person and surgeon. I guess people can get the most out of a WLS meeting is by asking questions and listening.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I didn't want to DIE from being Obese,I wanted to live to watch my son grow up and to see him marry and have me some grandchildren and also I was so tired of not being healthy and having a life outside of my home. I want to grow old with my husband and enjoy retirement one day.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided to have the BPD-DS because I knew that it would work best for me because of the way I eat emotionaly and the type of foods I put in my mouth.I have a thyroid condition and could not lose on my own.

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 had a positive attitude about the surgery aand I really had no fears because I put it all in Gods Hands, that is important to have Faith. I did not dwell on the complications that could happen, and did but I got through them all and I am happy now that I had the WLS.

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?

It was a split in my decision where my family was concerned, but after I explained the surgery and why it is so important to do this, that is when I got thier approval,but I had my mind set anyway and would not have changed it for anything in the world. My family really had to be there for me during and after surgery, complications did arise and my family were just great through the crisis. God gave me such a wonderful and loving family that I can really look forward to spending aloot of time with now that I am on the other side of being healthy....

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

I am unemployed due to disability of being morbiid obese and health problems .....

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

My stay in the hospital was scary and very hard on me and my family but we got through it with the help of doctors and staff and God and all the prayers that were said.. I had my suitcase, gowns and bathroom nessecities and extra pillow.I knew that if I needed anything else I could ask my family or hospital.

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

Oh yes, I had a small bleeder in intestine, a stomach ulcer rupture and the fluid from that caused my left lung to collasp,I was very sick there for awhile, but with all the medicines there are today all was handled very well and fast.I don't really know how any one person can say how you deal with that kind of comlplications, becaause they are there and just let the doctors take what precautions are nesassary.

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 felt overwhelmed and very nervous, that is where my family, phychologist and friends came in at,but I stayed on a positive attidude and prayed alot with my church.

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

In my case, not only the first few weeks were rough,it was more like 2to 3 months,I had to have Home Health Nurse 7 days a week,then got infection in the incission,alot of vomiting and fever and I had a bout with depression but that is not unusaual. All people are different, most people do fine, I was just not as lucky.

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

I lived three and a half hours away.It was not bad untill I started home,that was rough on me.The aftercare was not so bad, I just had to be sure to have pillows and a wet washcloth and a throwup pan with me, but in time all that passed and I no longer needed it.

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 could not eat at first,it just wouldn't stay down, but when I did try I had pudding,jello,mashed potatoes,soft eggs, soups& crackers, for fluids I had only gatorade and bottled water..... Now since several months have passed I know can eat anything I want, but I also know what my stomach will tolerrate so I am careful still because ooof ulcer problems.Everyone's system is different, you just have to experiment with different types of food and see what your stomach can tolerrate..

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

AT first I was so weak I would pass out,I would become dehydrated and also lack of food because of nausea. I did have with my Home Health a physical therapist coming out a few days a week to help me with exercises to help muscle loss and weakness..

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

I take a prenatal vitamin,also a multivitamin,calsium,zinc,and b12 vitamins

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 had a very severe case of vomiting and diahrrea when I came home, then the hair loss started around the 2nd month, but I already was experenceing that due to my thyroid levels,I only get an average of 4 hiurs a sleep a night now, which I have never been a sound sleeper anyway, I usually have to take Remoron for that.I am still coping with alot of this. I have good days and bad but mostly good now being 6 months post-op.

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

I think the worst part was just the overall of the complications I had happen to me. But you live and learn in life and you know that God is not going to put anymore on you that you can handle....

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

I do have a aftercare support group meeting that meets every thrid Thursday night in Jackson,Ms.Life Shape has just begun the meetings , so far we have had 3 or 4 so far,we all get together and talk weigh in and one on one see Dr.Booth for or monthly checkup, which is very beneficial for those that live a distance. It is very important to be at the meeetiongs to discuss the every day living of the WLS. and to meet with people that are pre-op and post op.

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

My scar is not what I expected, but considering I had 2 surgeries, I was cut 2 different ways,up and down then across with this rubber tubing in me on the across apart,I have never seen anything like that before and it really bothers me now since this will be noticable..

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Well I think we all go through the plateau thing at one time or another, myself I have plateaued several times in 6 months, seems like it will never end, but it will just have keep proteins and fats going in you and the surgery will take care of itself.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No not really, but then I have not lost so much that it has made a difference, I still have a ways to go maybe another 100 pounds then I will be at a point where people will really take stand and notice !!! THAT WILL FEEL GREAT !!!!!