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

First time I found out about the gastric banding I was excited and wanting to have it done right now. I wasn't the least scared or concerned with the problems you might have. All I knew was that I wanted the weight off. When I found out about the bypass surgery, I was scared. I want to loose the weight, but to have to go through a third surgery made me stop and think. After talking with Dr. Hahn and some of his patients, I was ready. Living like I am now is not living, it is just existing.

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

I went to Dr. Hahn on November 23,1999 I saw Dr. Hahn. I knew the insurance would approve the hernia sugery, but I didn't know about the bypass surgery. One week later Donna from Dr. Hahn's office called and said the insurance has approved my surgery. Someone was scheduled for December 14,1999, but their insurance wouldn't approve it, so the time slot was given to me. I am so happy. Waiting is the hardest thing for me to do. We were all surprised to get it approved that fast. I don't know of any advise to give because my was approved so fast.

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

I felt very comfortable with Dr. Hahn. I had already had one surgery from him. He was very nice and explained everything in language I could understand and not just medical terms. He answered questions before I had time to ask them. He never said anything about my weight gain. He suggested the bypass surgery and not the one with the band because of my past experience. He said this may help with my acid reflux. I don't have it as bad as when I had the stomach band, but I still have it almost every day. I think you should make a list of questions before you get there. I would ask for a list of patients who you could call and talk to before you make up your mind to have the surgery. If there is a support group I advise you to go before your surgery. Don't be afraid to ask questions. The only STUPID question is the one not asked.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Talking to people who have had the surgery gave me encouragement. My family helped, they think I should do it. They see my health going down and think this will help me. I think about when I was thin and I want to be there again. Knowing I am not alone is a comfort. People are willing to talk to you and give you their experience.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After having a gastric segementation in Houston Texas in 1994 and all the problems I had, I knew the banding procedure wasn't for me. Dr. Hahn's banding procedure isn't like the one I had done. Dr. Hahn suggested I have the bypass surgery. I talked to two women who had similar experiences with the first surgery I had and now both have the bypass and have assured me it is what I want. Not all people have the problem I had with the first band. I am not trying to discourage anyone, it just wasn't 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 have no fears of death or complications. I know what can go wrong. Dr. Hahn is very good and I trust him. I was the one who got my father to go to him for surgery. I trust him that much. I would recommend Dr. Hahn to anyone. I do not fear death. I feel if it is your time to go, you will go no matter what you are doing or where you are. I feel any complications I might have that Dr. Hahn can handle them and correct what needs to be done.

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 have encouraged me to have this surgery. My mother is pushing me to have it done. I was scared and afraid after I saw Dr. Hahn, but my mind was eased with only good thoughts and words of wisdom from others.

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

I am medically retired.

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

my stay was horrible. Our hospital all my life has been known as a band-aid station. My family stayed with me 24 hours a day to make sure my needs were met. The nursing staff were to short handed to do a good job. I was in the hospital 6 days. The first four days I had only IV fluids and nothing by mouth until they did the dye test to check for leaks. I had to spend one night in ICU and it was worse than on the floor. My male nurse was very unfriendly and un helpful. It was a nightmare. It is very important to bring comfortable pillows, my bed didn't have a pillow and they couldn't find one on the floor when I got there the morning of surgery. Take lip balm, because your lips get very dry and I took a baby spoon so I would eat much at a time. Also the room didn't have a clock so I got one from home to help time my eating. My 18 year old daughter knew how to help me out of bed better than the nurse's aide they had at the hospital. It was so bad, I feel sorry for anyone who doesn't have someone to help them.

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

I had hernia repair with my surgery and the open Rny and didn't have any complications. Very happy about all of that.

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

The first two weeks were the hardest. I was lucky to have a lady who had the surgery that I would call for advise. She is also a registered nurse. I also spent lot of time in the chat room. This site is the greatest help in the world before and after surgery. My family was extremely supportive and helped me with coping. I was in surgery for 6 hours because of removing the rest of the band from 1997 and scar tissue and then the Rny and hernia repair. I also take xanax everyday for anxiety. The liquid diet was the worse. The puree is lot better. I still measure my food. Sticking to what your doc says is very important.

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

The most important thing to do is to TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.... NO LIFTING FOR THE FIRST FEW WEEKS.... this is the period when a HERNIA can start developing... my doc says this happens in the first 6 weeks after surgery. Get plenty of REST... listen to your BODY and take care of yourself. If you have any concerns... don't wait... call your doctor.

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

The hospital is only 15 minutes from my house. I still would ADVISE everyone to take a PILLOW or TWO to hold on your stomach... no matter how close you live to the hospital. The ride home is rough. ALSO if you live some distance... you may ask for a PAIN shot before you leave the hospital.

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 two weeks after surgery I was on a liquid diet, the next two weeks it was pureed foods. After that I started on REAL food. I ate slow and measured my food. I haven't had ANY problems with food so far. The only problem is with steak.. it sits heavy on my stomach, so I just don't eat it. I eat fresh fruit in between meals.. it helps with the bowels. I NEVER EAT AND DRINK AT THE SAME TIME... WAIT ONE HOUR AFTER EATING... you can WASH the protein out of your pouch or possible stretch the pouch. I try to eat my protein first. I don't eat very many fried foods. I try select healthier foods to eat. My tastes have changed since surgery. I crave healthy foods.

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

Because of my hernia repair I wasn't able to do very much for 10 to 12 weeks. The doctor was afraid my hernia might come back. I did walk some for exercise. It takes time to get over this surgery... but it goes by fast.

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

I take Centrum A to Zinc once a day... I take two tums a day for calcium, and I take Vitamin B-12 once a week.

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?

The first few weeks it was hard to sleep because I couldn't sleep on my side.. I had to sleep on my back for the first three weeks. I haven't had ANY dumping since I had surgery. I haven't lost any hair and it has been 8 months since my surgery. I have thrown up three times since my surgery and that was my fault because I ate too fast and too much. I haven't thrown up in about three months. My acid reflux has TOTALLY GONE SINCE SURGERY... it is WONDERFUL..

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

Getting adjusted to the new eating habits. Getting over the pain of the surgery. It was very painful. I have had 8 different surgeries and two babies natural birth.. and this surgery was the roughest and the hardest to get over. I would still do it again in a heartbeat. I experienced depression after surgery too, but it didn't last long.

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

In Orange, Texas they are just getting a support group started. I went to the second meeting they had before my surgery and now they have one scheduled for January 20th 2000 and I sure will go to it. The support group is very helpful. They explained things to me, they gave me support and they shared their experiences with me. The group consisted of men and women. I think everyone needs a support group.

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

My scar is 8 inches long. It is very nice looking. It has healed beautifully. My surgeon used the dissolving stitches and I was so glad. i have had staples before and they hurt when they are removed. Plus when I had staples, it seemed to take my incision longer to heal. My scar is alot better than what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

The plateau get longer as time goes by. I seem to be loosing more inches than weight. I am walking on the treadmill and maybe the fat is turning into muscle and I know muscle weighs more than fat. The plateaus can last as long as 3 to 4 weeks.. they are very discouraging at times. My doctor say they are good, they help our bodies catch up with the weight loss.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes... I think people are nicer. I feel I blend in better. One older lady I never met before.. pointed out a LARGE overweight woman and made a comment about HOW CAN ANYONE LET THEMSELVES GO LIKE THAT??? She didn't know I had once been as large if not larger than the woman she was talking about. I didn't say anything to her...because it wouldn't make a difference. I THINK THE GREATEST THING I HAVE GOTTEN FROM THIS SURGERY IS THE FRIENDSHIPS I HAVE FORMED FROM OTHER WLS FRIENDS.... Don't get me wrong... the 113 pound weight loss from 12/14/99 to AUGUST 2000 is WONDERFUL.... but the friends I have met through this sight is BETTER than any of the weight loss. I love my SURGERY... the first three months or so... I wasn't really sure I had done the RIGHT thing with having the surgery.... BUT after that time and loosing weight and healing I KNOW I HAVE DONE THE BEST THING IN MY LIFE!!!!! I CAN HONESTLY SAY I WOULD DO IT AGAIN IN A HEARTBEAT OR FASTER. I am so glad I did this!!!!!!