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

I first found out about bariatric surgery by hearing people I knew talking about people who had had it in our small town. From what they were saying it seemed like a very dangerous surgery

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

I prayed for the Lord's guidance for at least six months before I started checking it out. My main concern was that this was what he wanted for me. I remember praying that if this was his will that everything would go smoothly. I went to Dr. Zahn's initial seminar with great trepidation. During the seminar things were explained so thouroughly that I felt much better afterwards. There was a lot of paperwork to fill out for approval for surgery, but to me that meant that they were very thourough. The hardest part was the waiting. I called my insurance myself to see how things were progressing and they were able to give me a timetable to go by. All in all, I had very little to do with the insurance as Dr. Zahn's office help did most of it.

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

My first visit with Dr. Zahn was very informative also. I went in with a list of questions that I had been compiling for him and all were answered to my satisfaction. I did not feel like he was in a hurry to get to the next patient either.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

As I mentioned above, I had prayed that if this surgery was the Lord's will for me he would have everything go smoothly. Everything went so smooth I knew this was for me.

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

My stay in the hospital was good. The nurses were very attentive. I had had five other surgeries so I pretty much new what to expect. I was in the hospital for three days. Something comfortable to come home in is about the only thing you need to bring. You mostly will be wanting to sleep and heal so you don't need much.

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

The only complication I had was excessive scarring at the opening to my stomach. I had a hard time getting things to stay down so I went and saw Dr. Zahn and he sent me over to have the "balloon" done. They put me to sleep, stuck a camera with a balloon attached to the end down my throat and blew the balloon up to stretch the scarring. I felt no pain during or after the procedure. It fixed the problem. I should mention that I have always had a problem with scarring so this did not surprise me.

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 so excited I didn't feel any anxiety.

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

I felt wonderful after I got home from the hospital. There was the normal pain associated with healing after a major surgery like that, but nothing excessive. I have a desk job so I was back to work in two weeks!

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

I traveled 150 miles for the surgery. It didn't affect my aftercare because I planned for it.

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.

After the initial month of liquids to soft foods I slowly started trying different regular foods. Hamburger and rice did not go down easily. It seemed like I could not chew them enough to be able to swallow small amounts. I found that I was eating healthier because I was so concerned about getting enough protein, calcium, and other necessary nurtrients that I didn't have room for the "junk" Which was ok by me. I can eat any thing I want now and don't have any problems. I just have to remember to take small bites and chew thoroughly.

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

The more healthly I ate the more energy I had. The more weight I lost the more energy I had. When you look good, you feel good!

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

I take a prenatal multi vitamin daily. I am not pregnant, but I figure if its good enough for mom and baby its good enough for me. I drink lots of skim milk for calcium too.

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?

About four months after surgery my hair started falling out. That was my first sign that I was not ingesting enough protien. It scared me enough that I make sure to get enough protien daily. When I started being more careful the hair loss stopped. I have had "dumping" a time or two. (he he) I am a sweet lover and sometimes I go overboard. I get very shaky and dizzy and have to lie down for twenty minutes or so before I feel better.

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

The worst part about the entire bariatric surgery process was the pain I felt about two weeks after surgery. I had taken a healthy swig of my pain reliever. It must have been too big a swallow because about two minutes later it felt like I was having a heart attack. There was a stabbing pain in my right side just under my rib cage. I laid in bed and moaned for about ten minutes. After that it was totally gone. I have experienced that a couple of times. Each time was after taking a pain medication. I have no idea what causes it or why it hurts so bad.

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

I live in a small town and know quite a few people who have had the surgery. We often talk to each other and share success stories and questions. Just knowing that others have gone through what I am going through is good and sharing ideas of what has helped other people has helped me. It is very important to have someone to ask questions and just talk to about what is going on with you as you progress after the surgery

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

My scar is a very thin line down the center of my front starting just between my breasts and going down to my belly button. It is not any where near as big or ugly as I expected. I even wear a bikini around my family!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Eight months after my surgery I remained at the same weight for two months. After that I continued to lose until I was at my goal weight.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People treat me very differently. Especially the guys! Part of this is because of the fact that I act differently. I am more sure of myself and do not try to hide from people any more. I am happy with the way I look and who I am because of it.