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

I watched a brief commercial on the surgery. I went to the website and applied to see if I would meet the criteria. I never in a million years had even considered surgery even at that time. I truly believe that God had something to do with my being accepted into the program. I thank him everyday.

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

Insurance approval was not that difficult. I was very impatient and probably drove Samantha crazy. I was very pleased with the promptness. The first surgery the recommended my insurance turned down but the approved the good old roux n y. Which in my opinion is the best choice.

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

Dr. Hargroder met with myself and one other patient and our family. He was very informative. I really didnt have any questions he was so clear on everything. I did ask if I had to stay in the hospital the entire 6-7 days. He said if I was off pain meds and up and walking we would see. True to his word I had surgery on Thursday afternoon and was home by Monday. Ask any questions you want he will answer them.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Tired of not enjoying my life. I am 37 years old and I have been this way since my daughter was born. She is 10 now and I refuse to miss out on her growing up and being a part of everything she does.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Basically my insurance decided that 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 really assumed it would be very painful. I had never had surgery before only babies and That really hurt !!! I would never do the baby thing again. lol The surgery I would. It was slightly uncomfortable after the surgery but not painful. The faster you get up and walk and get off the pain medication the better you will feel.

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?

Most of them said isnt that a bit drastic. Why dont you just exercise. The were all very skeptical before and after the surgery but now I am getting leaner they are like WOW Kim you look awesome, but are you hungry. I think this is something I will have to deal with most of my life. That is fine with me.

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

My employer did not remind me of our program for medical leave. I took a week of vacation and returned back to work the following week. I think they looked down on my decision at first but now they are very quizical.

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

Well let's just say its a hospital. We bariatric patients had our own ward which was cool. The nurse's knew exactly what to offer you to be more comfortable. I had my surgery on a Thursday and went home on Monday. I brought my own pillow, robe, slippers, WLS book, motivaitonal book "Don't sweat the small stuff ", personal belongings such as shampoo, razor and stuff.

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

None, everything went very well. Make sure you get up and move around as soon as you feel up to it.

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

On the contrary anxiety wasnt a factor , energy was. I dont know if it was from lack of food. All I ate was diet popsicles and eggs. I bought a liquid form of Vitamin B12 from GNC in addition to my childrens chewable vitamins. It was important for me to go back to work to not sit home and dwell about what I could not eat. I left the hospital on a Monday and went back to work on Friday.

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

Believe it or not you spend most of your time planning and master minding something you can eat. You get so tired of the mush. I actually ate things sooner than I was suppose to and it worked out fine for me. Try to remember not to lift anything 10lbs or over. I could not remember to let others carry for me or mow the lawn for me. Remembering to eat at all was a problem too. I was never hungry.

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

I drove from Sulphur La., to Baton Rouge, La. two and a half hours. My sister brought me. This affected my aftercare tremendously. I have felt like since my surgery that I have little or no contact with my surgeons office. If I do it is because of my persistance. It can be very frustrating at times. However I would never change my new life.

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.

At first it was just sugar free jello and popsicles. I couldnt handle the broth...uugh. I advanced to scrambled eggs with cheese on them. I mashed beans and melted cheese on them. Yogurt and milk were to sweet for me/ Milk has lactose and I learned anything with the ending "ose" usually has sugar in it. I am 3 months post op and I still cannot tolerate Meat. I dont even try to drink milk. Sweets and meats are off my list for now.

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

I had the drive to want to get up and do things but my energy level was pretty low. I think your body goes into hibernation or shock from the lack of food you use to consume. I made myself do light housework. I bought some video's. Walking the pounds away and I did the 18 minute workout in my house in the A/C.

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

Flinstones chewables twice a day and B12 Liquid. I have tried these fruity protein drinks from GNC, they taste like jolly ranchers. I couldnt handle them they tasted to sweet.

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 have only had dumping syndrome once. Even though you read your labels and they have low grams of sugar if you combine everything you eat that day with low grams of sugar it could very well equal to a significant amount, for instance..Fat free pudding and Yogurt was to much. I just had serious stomach pains for 2 days and gas also. I am losing a little hair but I have very long and thick hair so I dont miss is yet. I sleep very well since the surgery. Better than before thats for sure.

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

Learning to have patience and not want to drop all your weight at once. I am forever comparing myself with other patients and everyone is different. When I go out to eat with my friends and I can't have that Margarita or those Fajita's its kind of depressing but afterwards I feel so much better about making good choices for my new body and my new life. I dont drink, I dont eat, I dont smoke and I dont do drugs , trust me I am a load of fun...lol

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

I have 4-5 tiny incisions. The are fading with time. It isnt at all what I expected. I didnt realize they had to make that many insicions. They are not that bad.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am only 3 months post op and have expereinced 2 different times where I stayed the same weight. Once I stayed the same for 3 weeks. I started eating different foods and exercising more and it finally started coming off again. I am not kind of stuck between 163-165. I am going to join this gym for some weight training.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Absolutely. People that would never give me the time of day now kill theirselves to ask me questions. I have guys look at me when I am driving in my car. This I dont understand..my head didnt shrink. hee hee. I know maybe it is my attitude! My co workers have been very cool as far as not asking me if i want yuck food that they are eating. This I have been very thankful for.