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

I first heard of weight surgery in the eighties. A friend of the family had the procedure. I said then that I would never let myself get that far out of control. Years later, I realize that it was the best thing that ever happened to me.

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

I had no problem getting approval. I was approved within a week after having my first consultation with my surgeon.

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

My first meeting was great. MUSC has a great team of workers. The original meeting took over 4 hours. They cover diets, psychology, etc. Please make a list of any questions you will have and take it with you.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Being put on blood pressure meds and being told that I was pre diabetic scared me. I was also tired of not being able to go anywhere

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I took my doctors advice.

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 had no fears. I figured that I was going to die anyway if I didn't do anything.

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 was happy that I was going to do something about my weight. My best friend decided to have the surgery with me.

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

I was out of work for 6 weeks. My employers were happy.

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

My hospital stay was great. All of the medical workers were great and very helpful. I was only in the hospital for 2.5 days. Bring any item that will help you feel refreshed and comfortable.

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

none

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 very excited. I let all my friends and family know and came up with places to stay while convalescing.

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

The first week to me was the most miserable. I was bloated from surgery. I slept in a recliner because it was easier to get up. I also was trying to get used to eating pureed diet for one month.

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

I traveled 4 hours.

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.

I was on a pureed diet the first month after surgery. It was a definite learning experience. I could not tolerate grits. I ate alot of yogurt. After the first 2 weeks, I developed an intolerance to yogurt. I cannot eat bread, dark meat chicken, grits, sweets.

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

I did very little the first week. I was walking with a walker only to the bathroom. I tried to exercise by walking up and down the hallway. One week after, I was walking around the outside of my house. I gradually increased it by a little every week.

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

I take a multi vitamin, iron, zinc, biotin, b-12, and calcium. I take zinc and biotin to help with my hairloss.

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 do not like the vomiting. I understand that until I retrain myself to eat I will continue to have the problem. The hairloss started in the fourth month.

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

I had to major problems. I would repeat the process, if needed.

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

I have no support except for family and friends. This has been very helpful and important to me. I wanted to start a support group in my town but am unsure how to go about it.

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

My scar is from my breastbone to my navel. It is healing up fine. It is a little puckered at the top but it isn't too bad. I didn't know just what to expect.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

After only 8 days, I lost 33 pounds. That was the best feeling that I have ever felt. It was worth it at that point!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, they treat me the same. But they are telling me to keep up the good work and that means alot to me.