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

My heart doctor first suggested it to me and gave me two weeks to think about it. I did and further pursued finding out more. Once I had decided I was having the surgery, I don't think a heard of elephants could have stopped me from moving forward. I knew I needed help and all the other things I had tried did not work. This was my final option. My health was requiring me to do something different.

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

Medicare does not require pre-approval, so that was not an issue. They just needed supporting medical reasons for doing the surgery, and they had those with no trouble.

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

I was very nervous and Dr. Schirmer helped to put me at ease. I went in with all my medical records and questions, so I was prepared. He answered my questions and let me know the chain of events that would take place and started the process for me.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My health and the desire to do things I had been unable to do over the last couple of years like walking at the zoo and getting outside for some fresh air. The simple things people take for granted were gone for me. I could no longer take a shower without needing to sit down and rest before I even dried off. I wanted to be able to stand long enough to wash my own dishes and make my own bed. I wanted a quality of life back.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The doctor decided for me since I had already had a bowel resection done and several other abdominal surgeries. There was not an option for me.

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 didn't have any and now I see how crazy I was for not preparing ahead of time. I was one of the one's who thought...that won't happen to me. How I have since learned not to be so blind.

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?

All of my friends and support system were exactly that, very supportive. They were very sensitive to what I was going through and tried to understand. As much as a group of already "thin" people can understand. I was very blessed to have such a good group of people in my life. I also depended on my Lord and Savior for support and strength.

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

N/A

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

I had a good experience in the hospital and the nurses made me feel like I was their priority and pain control was their job. God bless them, because I needed that. I was grateful I brought my own comfort things from home, my pillows, clothes, robe, nightgowns, etc. The best item was the wet wipes I brought to use in place of normal "made from trees" toilet paper. Ah, such comfort. Trust me, these are important in the hospital and at home.

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

I did have complications, and I didn't deal with them. They caught me by suprise and I regret not being better prepared for them. I was grouchy and crabby and would bite your head off for breathing wrong in my presence. Just ask my doctor, honest, I was a bear. I have since apologized and gotten back to my normal state, but it was very difficult. I am prepared for just about anything now. My last hospital stay was over fifty days with seven(7) colonoscopies, yes you read that right. And it still resulted in major surgery with them removing a foot and a half of my large intestines. This was not related to the surgery, but happened shortly after and the same surgeon did the surgery for me. God bless Dr. Schirmer.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

See the above answer....

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

Hell on earth if you have complications. Eating was a joke and drinking even water was not an option for me. Therefore I will refrain from answering more negatively since I am not among the majority of the population. Just be aware that some people have serious complications and it is very difficult, not just on you, but also on your family and friends.

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

3 hours...yes it has a little, because there is no support group local and I find it too difficult to travel that far at night for a group meeting.

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.

Again, I am not a good one to ask. I had a feeding tube placed two months after surgery because I could not eat or drink anything. I lived on IV fluids and in the hospital. I am still 8 months later having difficulty finding acceptable foods that do not make me sick.

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

Very minimal. Since I was unable to eat, my energy level stayed very low. I am just starting now to begin getting out on a regular basis and even now become extremely tired and have to rest a lot.

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

I take two multivitamins/multimineral tablets a day as well as a prescription vitamim trinsicon to build up my blood count. These help with hair growth. Praise God for added benefits.

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?

Nausea and Vomitting!!! I have had both every day since surgery!!

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

I don't really know, and it doesn't matter now, becuase it is finally worth it.

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

None

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

A straight line. I had already had surgery and knew what it would be like, it just extended a little higher that's all.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Right now I am staying about the same and have even gained about five pounds which is okay with me since that means some of my food is staying and being processed. Other than that I have lost weight continually.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No. Some don't recognize me if they haven't seen me in a while.