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

As I stated earlier, I learned about it and tried it in 1980. That surgery was very dangerious and life threatening. The latest proceedure, I have been discussing with my primary care physician for about a year now, BUT ONLY RECENTLY FOUND THE COURAGE TO PERSUE THE POSSIBILITY

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

Thank God for the understanding people at NeWeigh in Houston. They handled all aspects of getting the Insurance approval for me. I was approved within the week the papers were submitted. If you are in the Houston area, or, in anyother area, please contact NeWeigh at 713-795-0200 for advise with the Insurance imformation. If you are in the area you will find the Little Sisters at NeWeigh can help you at each step

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

The first meeting with Dr Ferrari was overwhelming. You are being bombarded with all these facts, and are being given all this information. Dr Ferrari took all the time with you that you needed so you could understand. As I stated earlier, I had a pro9ceedure in 1980. It was stressed that I was at more of a risk for the redo.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I decided that I want to live and enjoy life and not have to monitor my diabetes and blood pressure constantly

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I have Marlex Mesh for an abdominat wall and the decision on whether the RNY or the VBG would not be made till Dr Ferrari was in the abdomin. As the result, He had to do the VBG as my intestines were stuck to the mesh

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 knew without intervention, I was going to die from complications of High Blood Pressure and the Diabetes. I had to put my faith in God and pray for the answers.

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 family have been very supportive before the surgery and after the surgery. They want their childrens Grandmother around for a while. My Husband has been very loving and supportive.

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

I work for the most caring people that anyone could ever work for. So far I have missed a week, but they tell me to take my time and not to risk injury

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

The hospital stay was as pleasent as could be expectes. I was admitted at 6:00 AM on March 28th and had Surgery at 7:00 Am. You only need to bring your personal care items, slippers, robe, and loose fitting clothes to leave the hospital in. I was discharged at 1;00 PM on the 31st of March

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

This is the third of April, and so far there are no complications from the surgery.

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

There was only like a month between approval and surgery. I am a Christian, and all my life have been taught to put my cares on the alter and Jesus will take care of them. Whenever I would become anxious, I took it to the Lord in Prayer. It has always helped

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

I felt so good, that I had a hard time restraining from doing everything that I did before surgery. I am sure that not everyone will feel this way, but I no longer have all that medicine pulling me down. I have not had to take anything for my blood sugar, blood pressure, heart, or fluid retention. All have been normal since surgery.

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

About 45 miles. At the time following the surgery I was able to attend the aftercare. I moved to Sioux Falls, SD in August 2000, There is no aftercare here.

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 only thing that I could eat for the first 3 weeks was liguid. I soon found the blender and pureed some of my favorite foods. This week I have been on a soft solid diet. I can no longer tolerate tuna, and beets.

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

Through the roof!!!!!!!!!!!!

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

I take 1 One A Day Childrens Chewables a day

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 none of these side effects

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

The asthma attack right after surgery. Other than that, I have not experienced any bad side effects

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

Neweigh holds aftercare programs in their office, This is very helpful and important.

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

I have had several previous surgeries and to avoid the scar tissue, Dr Ferrari opened me up on a diagonal to the left. The scar is small and thin

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have really not had any plateau's. Since this posting, I am in a plateau now. I have weighed 173 now for about 2 months, but will not worry about this till the summer. I know that I have been unable to be as active as I need to due to the snow.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Very much so. They all tell me how good I look. I am 4 weeks post op and have lost 40 lbs