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

I have been to several conferences and read alot about the surgery. I would have done it alot sooner but my insurance would not touch the surgery.

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

My insurance would not touch the procedure. I attended a seminar from the Weight Managment Clinic at CMMC where a cash price was discussed. This is the way I went to have the surgery.

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

Dr. Kenneth Cleveland was great. He made me feel at home but at the same time informing me of all the risks and things I had to do.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I got my money together and then followed Dr. Cleveland's steps to acquire a surgery date.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I knew I wanted the gastric bypass.

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 surgery is a tool. I knew this was the only option for me and I was going to do exactly what the doctor told to me to do.

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 son and parents are extremely supportive. I spent the week after my surgery with my parents who took great care of me.

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

I have just retired from the educational field. Therefore, this is not an issue.

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

My hospital stay will be different from others since my surgery was Monday, August 29,2005- the day Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. I do not remember much about Monday. However, Tuesday, the hospital lost power and water. The generators finally started working but the air conditioning ran off of water - no AC. My nurse was great and found me a fan to use since heat seemed to make me nausous. The AC came on Wednesday and I went home Thursday. The most important thing to bring is a good attitude.

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

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?

I was excited about the date and was ready for the day.

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

Seeing how you may react to foods was my biggest challenge. I followed the book and did not have problems.

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

The hospital is about five miles from my home. However, once out of the hospital I traveled two hundred miles to my parents since I did not have power or water at my home due to Katrina. Took a pain pill and made the trip easily.

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 or two I was on a clear liquid diet. Then I went to a liquid diet. The next step is a puree diet for a week or two and then a soft mechanical diet. I purchase sugar free items. I include protein in my diet along with water.

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

I was up and walking the day after surgery. I walk several times a day and am building up my strength.

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

I take a Flintstone Complete vitamin

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 two episodes of nausia during my stay in the hospital. Nurses took care of me. I have not had any other problems.

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

Following all of the steps that lead up to getting a surgery date.

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

There is a support group that meets once a month. I have not attended yet since they met before my surgery date.

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

I had to have an open Rouy, therefore I have a scar from my breast bone to my navel. I knew what procedure would be done.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Too early for me.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I have lost 26 pounds. I am wearing clothes that I could not wear before the surgery. My son and parents are proud of the results.