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

I had heard about it back in 1984, from a gal in our church who had it, but gained her weight back. I didn't think it was for me, beings I didn't think I was Morbidly Obese........I knew I was over weight, but never heard of Morbidly Obese. I then heard more about it on TV and in magazines, and read info. on the internet, and I soon realized, that this surgery was for me, and my last hope of getting this weight off, and regaining my health back.

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

I was denied several times, but each time I kept appealing and wouldn't give up and take no for a answer, because I knew they covered this surgery, and I fit their criteria, and I was fighting for my life. My advice to any one who is fighting their insurance, is to first make sure they cover it, and that you fit their criteria, and if so, then don't take no for a answer. Jump each and every hurdle they throw out to you. It took me 1 year and 1 week to get my approval, and lots of hard work, but it was worth it all.

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

My first visit with my surgeon was in a support meeting where he did a lecture on what type of procedure he does, and the risk and the benefits, and that it is a life time change and committment. He showed us how he does the procedure, and much more. He was very good at answering your questions, etc.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I decided that my health was so bad, that if I didn't do something I might not be around to enjoy my husband and grandkids and other family members and friends. I knew it was my last hope.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon only preferred to do the RNY, and from what all I read and learned about it, I felt it was the right one 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 feared that I could die, but told myself if I did, I at least died trying to do something about being Morbidly Obese. I went into my surgery, firguring I would have to be opened up, due to previous tummy surgeries, but to my shock and amazement, when I woke up I found out I only had 5 tiny wholes in me. I went in fearing the worse, but hoping for the best. I worried about a leak, and other complications, but would remind myself, that my surgeon would be only a phone call away if I had any problems, and I made sure I did my lab work, etc.

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 and friends were very nervous, and very scared that I might die from the surgery, or from complications down the road. I didn't know until after my surgery, just how nervous and scared and worried that my husband was. I'm glad he didn't show it to me then, because I was counting on him to be the strong one. I offered my family and friends info. reguarding my surgery, and there wasn't anything that I would of done differently. My family and friends were very supportive of me after my surgery, and they still are, and they are very proud and happy with my weight loss.

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, due to pain from the gas, and then I couldn't urinate after they removed the catherdar. My stay was very nice and the nurses all were so kind and helpful. I brought my personal toilet items, and my Bariatric Bari-Bear and my camera, beings I was making a journal/scrapbook.

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

I had a lot of pain in my shoulders, and diaphram from the gas. Other then letting it absorb and getting pain meds. there was nothing anyone could do. I did have trouble with a couple of my pills, but got them changed to liquid.

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

If I got a pain, or just felt different, I would worry that something might be going wrong, but I would call the nurse and she called us on a daily basis, which relieved my fears. I did feel run down, had no energy what so ever, and I was freezing cold, and couldn't sleep, but all that has changed now.

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

Expect to feel run down, cold, and at times wonder what you did to yourself, but try to keep the reason you had this in your mind, and it helps you get through the rough times.

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

I only had to go 12 miles or less.

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.

In the first month, there were 4 stages. The first one was clear liquids. The second one was Creamed Foods, and the third one was Mush Foods, and the last stage was a Variety of Foods. Eggs for some reason seem to bother me, no matter how I cooked them. I haven't tried them for several months. Fats seem to bother me. I can eat a bite or two of sweets, but to much makes me feel sick, which is my "Tool" working for me. I only could eat 2 ounces at each meal in the first 3-4 months, but now I am eating 3-4 ounces each meal.

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

I tried walking a little more with each passing day. I can remember only being able to walk a half a block, but I would push myself a little farther with each walk.

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

I take a adult Centrum Chewable 1 X a day and I take 2 Carmel Viactiv Chew 1 x a day. I have trouble with my potassium dropping, but I did before my surgery, so I take 22.5 ML liquid Potassium which taste horrible, and I call it my gasoline, but there is no way I can swallow the potassium pills, and you can't crush them or chew them.

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 only had trouble with vomiting when I was trying to get my pills down me, but now I don't take all those pills that I had to. I did and still do have trouble with sleep, but I am now taking Trazadone which is helping some. I loss a little more hair, but it is not noticeable, and has stopped now, and I'm out 7 months. I had a few dumping episodes from my medications, and eggs, and fats, but I quickly learned what caused them, and haven't had any for months. I still am cold for the most part.

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

Feeling so run down, being cold and not being able to sleep.

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

I attend 2 meetings....The one is for people learning about the surgery, and seeking to have it, and the other one is for us who have had the surgery. I feel the support group meetings are very helpful, and recommend that anyone who has had the surgery, go to them. You learn a lot from one another, and people just seeking out to learn more about the surgery, learn a lot from us who have had it.

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

I expected to be cut wide open, but had the Lap procedure, and I just had Adominoplasty, and I got rid of all of my previous tummy scars from previous surgeries, and the excess skin.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I never hit any plateau's.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Most people don't recognize me now. I think people are more kinder and friendly towards me in general.