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

I first learned about Bariatric Surgery on television. I watched and kind of followed The Carnie Wilson story. I was sceptical at first it sounded to good to be true.

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 do much. Rosemary at Dr. Felix took care of everything, I just called every other day to encourage them to quickly approve my syrgery. Persistence ismy advice.

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

My first visit was nice. I talked to Rosemary first she updated me on my insurance, talked to me about the importance of my aftercare. Then I was taken to a room for a physical, nurse first checked my stomach, checked my legs for swelling. went over med. history with me. Then Dr. Felix came in checked my stomach, joked around a little , and then he gave me my pre-op papers to have my tests done before my surgery date, and then I was done. I think people can get the most out of their meeting by having all your questions you might have ready, so that when The Doc comes in you willknow what to ask him.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Because i kept gaining more and more weight. I was getting to where I was limited to what I could do. After alot of education on this matter I knew that this was the Best for me.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Actually the Dr. is the one that decides which procedure you will have. He will do laproscopic if at all possible.

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 was worried about blood clotting, but if you listen to your Dr. and do what he/ she says you should do fine. I really worried for nothing to be honest.

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 husband,son, daughter, son-in-law where not happy with the decision at first. Alot of my friends were not happy either. I did the best thing I think anyone could do. I got them educated about this surgery, once i did that they were happy with my decision, and supported me 100 percent. My family and friends are so excited watching me loose the weight. They see that I am so much happier :)

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

I am a home-maker so this doesn't pertain to me.

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

I stayed at clovis Community Hosp. It was a very pleasent place to stay. The staff was very educated on how to care for gastric bypass patience. They were compassionate and was very much interested in my care. I asked a million questions and they were always happy to answer them.I was there 3 days 2 nights.I think the most important thing to bring with you is a good sence of humor and determination. It takes both to get up and going. :) I brought my own pj's, houseshoes, bathing supplies, etc and by all means bring your TOOTH BRUSH the staff will appreciate that.

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

I didn't have no complications after surgery.The only thing that really bothered me was my throat after surgery, and a dry mouth, uncomfortable some , not much pain at all.

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 was very tired the first week after surgery all i did was rest and walk. The more you walk and move around the quicker you start feeling better. After the first week i began to get the anxiety and depression, i cried alot and was went through a time of anger, and frustration, and crankiness. I am 6 months post -op and anxiety and depression still bothers me some. I feel that this is more of an emotional thing with me than physical. I feel that I am more nervous now since surgery. Things get on my nerves faster. Smaller tolerance for things.

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

Like I said earlier I feel that your family need to realize that you just came through a major surgery and they need to be aware that one of the side effects (the only one I had) is depression and anxiety. To give you some space to work through the emotional time. To be caring and understanding. To be there with a shoulder and a listening ear. This is very common to go through this period. It will get better.

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

I traveled 1 1/2 hours. The only thing is that you are supposed to get up and move around , walk every 30 minutes, so when i got home because of the time i spent traveling my Dr. had me to walk for 20 minutes following the drive home to prevent any blood clotting.

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.

for me I am one of those patience that can't eat alot still at 6 months post-op. The first week i ate a clear diet. The 2nd week I ate mushy foods like veg. soup, potato soup w) crackers, mahed potatoes. The 3rd week because I couldn't eat solids due to vomiting I went bak to the mushy foods for another week. Then i began to eat potatoes baked, 1/4 sandwich on wheat bread. Tuna w) low-fat mayo on a cracker. Then you just wing it from there. At ^ months i cannot eat, meat(except for fish), pastas, bread (very hard still), rice, icecream, pie, cake. mostly anythins sweet i can't eat.I eat soft veggies very well. I can eat a bean and cheese burrito, bean taco, salad, fruits i do well with except for pears, and nectarines.I do very well with halibut(Sizzler's) or sea bass.

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

At the first week i didn't do too much(because my family wouldn't allow me too. 2nd week i would sneak around and do the dishs and laundry... i was going to Walmart and to the mall. Everwhere i could go to be able to get out of the house and walk i would go. It's really funny because the more you walk the sooner feel better and regain your strength.3 weeks i did everything I wanted too except i refrained from lifting.

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

I take Optimum Pro Complex at tha GNC store. 2.64 lbs cost 34.99. I like it because it has a good taste and it isn't grainey.(Vanilla).I take Metabalance44 dietary suppliment herbal concentrate. I buy it through Dr. Felix office it is rather expensive 30.00, but i tried the Rite aid brand which is cheaper, but i didn't feel as good taking them as i do these. When i first started taking vitamins after surgery I took Flinstones w) iron. I also take Nature Made B-12 250mcg once a day. Right after surgery i took 2 tums for calcium. I cannot stand the taste of Tums so after awhile I started taking Viactiv 500plus d & k (Caramel) 2 times a day, they also are more expensive ,but i like them alot better. If you take the Viactive it's 1 in the morning and 1 at night.

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?

Honestly, nausea, and vomiting was the worst for me the first 5 months were the hardest. Dumping once you do it you won't do it again. I have had very minimal hair loss. My beautician says she can't really tell it too much. So Thank God for that. :)

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

The first few month was the worst because you really are learning how to do every thing over again. Sometimes it an be overwhelming. But, it quickly passes.

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

Honestly , Dr. Felix has a support group , but i have only gone 1 time because I live in Exeter and the support groups are in Fresno. Hoping to get one in Visalia or somewhere closer than Fresno. I have friends who have had this surgery done so we lean alot on each other. I have a wonderful family that supports me and my church. Family is so important!

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

I have 6 very small incisions. They are fadding more and more so I dont think that they will be really noticeable later on. I thought that i would have bigger insicions and more scarring. I was really impressed.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I've has a plateau since surgery. I talked to Rosemary in the Doc's office she explained it like this. You know how our kids grow then it seems they quit growing for awhile then all of a sudden you notice that they are really growing. Well that is what it is like with us loosing weight. We are always loosing , but there may be times when we don't see it as much as we would like , then all of a sudden it will begin to start coming off faster, so on and so forth.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes i do, I'm very happy because I have almost lost 100lbs. But, it saddens me how that people treat obease people. If your skinnier you get more compliments, when they talk to you they actually look at you in the eyes.I wished that all people were accepted not by how they look , but for who they are