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

ON TV, WAS ON THE LOCAL NEW'S CHANNEL OUT HERE IN PA. I WAS AMAZED OF WHAT THE LADIES THEY SHOWED BEFORE AND AFTER THE SURGERY, WHAT A DIFFERENCE. AND THEY BOTH WOULD DO IT AGAIN. THEY SHOWED A BIT OF THE SURGERY TO. AND KNOWING DR MONK WAS SO CLOSE, MADE ME CALL TO MAKE A APPT WHAT HAVE I GOT TO LOSE. LOL

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

I REALLY DONT KNOW WHAT TO SAY. I WAS LUCKY.

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

DR MONK WAS VERY NICE, AND MADE ME FEEL COMFORTABLE. I WAS VERY NERVOUS. NOT KNOWING IF HE WOULD TAKE ME ON AS A PT. HE EXPLAINED EVERYTHING VERY WELL TO ME. AND LET ME KNOW ALL THE RISKS INVOLED. HE SHOWED ME A APPT PLAN THAT I NEEDED TO FOLLOW AND EVEN AFTER THE SURGERY. FOR OVER A YEAR. HE DIDNT LEAVE OUT ANYTHING. HE DID ALOT OF TALKING. THEN HE LET YOU ASK QUESTIONS. ON THE SECOND APPT HE ANSWERED MORE QUESTION AND SET UP THE OTHER APPTS WITH THE LUNG AND DIET AND PSYCH APPT.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I THINK I KNEW AFTER I HAD TALKED WITH HIM ON THE FIRST VISIT. IF I HAD A CHOICE I WOULD OF HAD IT DONE THEN AND THERE.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I DIDNT HAVE A CHOICE. DR MONK DOES OPEN MOSTLY. AND I WANTED LAP BUT HE SAID HE WOULD ONLY DO OPEN ON ME. SO THATS OK WITH ME. I JUST WANT IT DONE.

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 HAVENT HAD THE SURGERY YET SO I AM STILL IN FEAR OF DYING AND HAVING COMPLICATIONS FROM SURGERY. BUT THE DOCTOR TELLS ME MORE DIE FROM NOT HAVING IT, THAN FROM HAVING IT DONE. SO IF I DONT HAVE IT I WILL PROBABLY DIE VERY SOON ANYWAY. Its May 14th, 2003, its been two years today since I had this surgery, and I would do it again in a heart beat if I had too. Yes I had fear during the surgery, and some pain, getting up and down from sitting, and walking some from the stables and the fat hanging down, but it was well worth it.

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?

THEY WERE VERY SCARED FOR ME, EVERYONE, BUT AFTER SEEING THE BARBARA THOMPSON'S WEBSITE THEY ALL FELT BETTER ABOUT IT.

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

DONT WORK OUTSIDE THE HOME. I started working again as a nurse and loves it. I could never have done this before my surgery. I have met several co-workers that want this surgery also. I am the talk of the hospital.

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

I was in the Hospital for 4 days Monday-Thursday. My hosital stay was ok. I felt the nurses were very nice and helpful. I was in alot of pain. I brought everything I could think of. I didn't use most of them, was sleeping and in pain alot. baby wipes, to help clean you, is the most important thing to me. I was out of it most of the time. so my many magazines and make up and perfume was never used. I didnt even get a chance to walk, was in ICU for over 2 days.

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

My temp was up, and blood pressure was up. I had alot of sickness from the morphine drip. After they took it out on the second day I felt better. I tried to sleep alot. and Prayed alot.

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 so excited. I wanted it done as soon as possible. I was afraid to die, but more afraid to die fat. I knew this surgery was for me.

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

I was tired all the time, and very very sore. I tried to be careful not to pull the staples as I got up from a chair. My family helped me alot, I felt like a little old lady. My husband and kids took care of me. It was very hard to take care of myself for the first week. after that slowly I was able to gain back my ability to take care of myself and cook my meals.

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

York hospital is just over 1 hour away from Fairfield PA. My husband drove me to my many appts. Now I am 5 months out, my next appt is in Nov, I will be driving myself.It didnt affect my aftercare 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.

Just home from the hospital, I ate soups, protein drinks, jello, popcicles, pudding, yogert. At 3 wks I ate a toasted coldmeat with cheese sandwich, it was great.I ate mashed potatoes and blendered meats. I could not eat beef at all. and milk I had a hard time with. I was eating mushy foods very well. by my second month I was eating almost everything.( real foods) Still had a hard time with beef, and sometimes chicken. fish and tuna I did fine. in my 3rd month I ate everything, sometimes I throw up, and sometimes I didnt. I never know what food would make me sick, you have to just try different things out. ONe day I ate chicken the next day I throw it up, you never know. still milk I have a hard time with.

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

In the first month, I just did what I had to. In second month I did things around the house and walked outside. In the third month, I was able to go shopping and walk alot more with out getting tired, but always carrying my water with me. in the 4th month I do everything now. and now I am in the 5th month. I still get tired sometimes. but I am doing everything normal now. only 90 pounds less, much more energy.

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

mulit vitamins, Iron, B--12.

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 still have vomiting and dumping and now hair loss now in my 5 th month. It all depend what you eat. Try to eat your protein.

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

The first week is the worst for me, after that things got better.

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

I have one at the York Hospital. But I have only gone one time. I get email from ossg another obs group. It helps me alot. It's been two years today, now I have started my own Gastric bypass support group here in Fairfield Pa. I love being able to help others thur this wonderful journey.

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

ITs from my right side to my left side. Its not as red and sore anymore, more of a pink shade now. looks very good. My war scare. My scare after two years is lighter but still there. My war wounds.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am on one now. Been this weight now for one month. Hoping it passes soon. It did pass, and I lost another 20 pounds, then had several more with in the past two years. Just follow the pouch rules and you will lose again. Today is my two year anniversary!!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes I fit in now with the general population. I dont stick out like a sore thumb. People treat me like a person now with feelings. I feel more excepted now. It's been two years now, and I get flirted with alot now, its so strange, not use to this at all. My I love it just the same.