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

Saw this web site and started reading and studying everything I could attended a few support groups, met people who have had this surgery and those who are planning too. First apprehensive, but after mingling and asking multitudes of questions, weighting the GOOD and the BAD... Decided there was more GOOD that Bad and decided to go for it.

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

Have all your "Ducks in a Row" it makes it a lot easier and a lot faster to have all the information at hand.... especially if your Doctor is not really familier with the proceedurs... I had all my research papers in a binder that I presented to my Doctor for him to read before we even discussed the surgery. After reading everything from the good to the bad, and directing him to this web sight so he could obtain information from the actual surgeons, we made an appointment to "discuss" the surgery.

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

It was very informative... to actually speak to the Doctor in person and have him answer my questions truthfully.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

After talking to my Surgeon, having all my answers gaining the confideance and knowledge that I needed, the decision was very easy after that.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Talking to Doctor Baggs and discussing the different procedures and what "The Proffessional" thought best for my situation.

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?

Normal fears.... but the way I was treated from the beginning at the Hospital admitting office to the actual surgery prep made me at ease and I knew i was in good hands... as far as dying... well I figured if I was meant to die at this time then so-be-it... I have no lease on life more so than anyone else on this planet... We all know what a risk it is having surgery, but we also know that everyday you wake up the risks start from walking out your front door, starting your car, driving to work and home again.... no more no less.

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 Oldest daughter was "dead-set" against it, my husband was very supportave and said he would be behind me 100% if I wanted to do it or %100 percent if I didn't... My mother flew out from Arkansas to help out Post-op.... but I recovered so fast that she found herself "bored" with nothing to do... I went in on Friday morning out Sunday afternoon home watching the 49ers play (lose) and back to work on Thursday.... no complications, no problems, except you have to readjust your food intake and learn to eat all over again.... Old habits are sometimes hard to break... but break them you will.... you'll see what I mean!

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

It was as comfortable as a Hospital can be... Not a place for rest as they take vitals etc every hour on the hour... but the hospital I was in was a very careing, and informative place. My nurses were wonderful, in fact the whole entire stay from beginning to end wqas really "Uneventful" in a nice sort of way. The worst thing about it was that I was in a room with a little old "feeble" minded lady who would forget that the nurse had just been there 3 mins. ago and call for her constantly, in which the nurses returned and took care of her.... I would not have the patience to be a nurse and I really admire them for there "cool" and caring ways....

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

NONE

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 just focused on knowing that I would be "reborn" so to speak... and was looking forward to the date.... kinda like having a baby.... you know that in 9 months there is going to be a BIG change in your life and it is very exciting!

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

I actaully went back to work in less than a week... I was a little bit tired but other than that I felt great.

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

1.5 hours I actually enjoyed the drive as there is no more beautiful city than San Francisco and I had to drive through it to get to my Doctor office....

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 week, nothing "Solid" after about two weeks I tried (dumb me) a poached egg (no-problem) and a sausage...(DUMB ME) The egg was fine but to this day 1 year later, don't can't even think about sausage without gagging... or for that fact cringing.... I was in "Hard-Labor" for 8 hours that morning.... never did anything that Dumb again! I found that introducing things a little at a time I found what my body says "Yeah" to and what it says "NO_WAY JOSE!" too... experamentation... thats the key... At 12 months post-op.... I eat "Normal" only I have a small saucer I eat from rather than a BIG dinner plate.... my plate looks full and therefore I am satisfied with the portions, usually I can't even finish whats on my plate but NEVER leave the table Hungry... I have only found about 4 items of food that I simply cannot tolorate... #1 sausage, #2 Broccolli, #3 Speggiti (althought other pasta is ok) #4 Ice Cream or Milk products. Other than those items I do fine... I even indulge in a Hamberger kids meal once in a great while to remember how Awful they really taste... Ha Ha!!!

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

A bit slow moving...and extremely tired... but overall... I found that after about 3 weeks I noticed a great surge in energy...

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

I take a Mega-Dailey Multivitamin, Vitiamin b12 (once a week) and dailey Iron supplement... I usually get the (50+) daily vitamin pakg. from Rite aid and my Iron and B supps from VITALADY on line. make sure I have a package of Turkey Jerky close at hand for added Protein if I find I am not hungry for a regualr meal.

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?

Nausia for the first two months... but that was my "Portion readjustment" stage... learning that Portion size is the key, after I re-learned to eat haven't been sick since. Also had to have the balloon stretch Once for scar tissue... but after the procedure everything is GREAT!

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

The bad nightmares from the Morphine.... Wow did I have some Scary ones... I dreamed about crazy things like "Body piercings" being hanged from ropes... Big Spiders attatcking me and my Sargent (was once in the Army) yelling at me telling me the dream was not a dream and that this was reality and to not question him and to just pick up all "the dead and dying" I had some really awful dreams and would try to wake myself up but kept thinking I was awake and this was reallity... they stopped after a few days post-op but there for awhile I thought I was "Crazy".... OH yeah and the ride home for the hospital in a Ford Explorer with Big tires and uncomfortable seats... That's it.

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

I attend regular meetings, it is helpful not only to yourself but to those who are having some problems... the support alone helps them with a calming effect.

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

Tiny little scars, here and there. Yep!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have been at a constant weight now for about 2 months... but since i didn't have the surgery to win a beauty contest nor look like a waif I am happy exactly where I am at... Size 6 is NOTHING to be ashambed of! I have maintained my weight going from 2 pounds up to two pounds under so I am very satisfied now.... If I lose anymore fine, but not important.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really... I have always had a way with people, not being shy and all.... I love people (all kinds) and I think that this is an advantage to me... I was not Overly obese so I really can't comment on being treated bad although I had times when I knew "Skinny's" were talking about me... but Hey.... I skinny is as skinny does and a don't think a "Bag of Bones" is atrative at all... so better some meat than non at all... right!