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

I read an article in a tabloid. I felt it was for me. I wanted to have this surgery, I was unaware that any ins would pay for it. The article didnt say what type of surgery it was just WSL surgery. It wasnt untill Carnie Wilson had her surgery that I found the name of WLS. I began to research on the web. I stumbled on to this site and will forever be gratful that I did.

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

My ins aproval was swift. I researched my is co, requirements. I exceeded them. I had no exclusion so I knew Id e aproved the first time. I had problems getting PCP aproval and simply changed PCP. Im much happier with m new doc. MY advise is know what your ins co, requires for aproval, and dont give up.

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

MY first consult was great. Dr Dalley examed me, He explained the surgery to me, His nurse Barb helped me find a weight loss surgery friendly PCP. He asked me ??. Then asked my husband if he ha any ??. The doc felt I was well researched. I didnt have maney ??. I knew what was happening fro my research and from a ontact who had same ins and same doc.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I coultnt wipe my own buut any more. I also wanted to stay walking. MY knees and legs and back kept me in constant pain. I didnt want to continue living like that. I was convinced that Id be 400 lbs within in a year or so and Id be bed ridden. I didnt feel id be alive to see my daughter marry or see my grand children grow up.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I felt it was the safest and least radical procedure, with the least side affects.

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 of dying on the table. I felt God had removed to many hurdles for me to have this surger . I felt that if I died then It was my time to be with God and I was ok with that. I would have rather died tying then to have kept on suffering. I did have fears of after complications. I just simply turned my fears over to God. My advice is research and be doing this for you not a husband or boyfriend or any one but you.

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 husband supported me fully from the moment I told him . younger daughter did the same. MY oldest daughter was not happy about it , but did come around. My twin sister was worried but supportive. Both my brothers supported me fully. My older sister said she would not support such a stupid acinine decision. The week be fore my surgery I got emails from her. Saying By any chance have you changed your mind about this stupid surgery hope hope hope. I emailed her and said nope. The next day I recieved another email saying "Theres still time to change your mind. I ecnored this one. The next day I got the same email again. this time I phoned her and said . If you cant be suportive I do not want you there at the hospital. MY parents and all my husbands family supported me 100 percent. We have a faimly friend who had the old stomach staple. Julia had the procedure in 1986. She weighed over 500lbs. Se now weighs about 160, She has kept all the weight off. Our family knew this was the answer for me. They had watched me strugle. They watched me have to use a cane to walk. MY friends and students and co-workers were all scared but supportive of me. I have two students who have close family members who have had this surgery so they calmed my other students as well as held y daughters hand hile I was in surgery.

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

MY boss was cool. She really didnt have a choice I stated I was haveing the surgery and it would be some time this year. I told her id let her know when I kneww my surgery date was. The owner kept presuring me to hury the process along because we had coverage for me now. I was off three weeks. I was very open about what kind of surgery I was haveing. I siply stated for me it was medically neccessary if they wanted me to continue teaching, walking and breathing.

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

I was treated great in Good Samaritian hospital n Portland Oregon. They are the most compasionet people. I was well taken care of. I passed my swallow test on the second day. I did great with water , jello, deluted juice and deluted protein. I was released to go home on the third day.

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

I have had no complications, No nausia.

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

Once I got my surgery date I was estatic. I felt no aprehension at that time. The only time I felt scared was when I finely realized I had won my battle with my husbands co, (Please read my profile for details) I felt presured. I wasnt worried about the surgery only the after results if there should be complications. I still felt the surgery was the right decision for me. I felt this surgery was my last hope of staying walking, How I dealt with this tension is I turned it over to God.

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

The first week for me was the worst. It wasnt pain, it was that every thing tasted yuky. I had a sore throat and all I wanted was s/f popcycles and My family wanted me to have protein. I did have a headache that lasted 6 days. I also couldnt sleep in my bed for 6 days. I ad head hunger. My famiy continued to eat junk food in front of me and it drove me crazy. I was a tad weepy, which for me is quite unusual. After the first week things improved greatly.

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

It was close by. JUst across the river maybe 25 miles or so. My surgeons hwever are three mile away.

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.

First week clear liquids. I ate jello, soup broth, water and s/f popcycles. Second and third weeks I could eat anything that could fit through a straw, I ate cream soups and started taking my vitamins and protein drinks. Third week I was on purred foods. I hated this stage so how I dealt with it. I stoped pureing my food I just chewed it to a pulp, It became mush in my mouth. What I ate . low fat refried beans, vegatarian chili, soft eggs, mashed poatoes and gravy. Four to six weeks I was on soft foods and simply continued to eat and do what id been eating I added baked potatoe and cheese as well as soft eggs and cottage cheese to the menue. I will be two months post of on Aug 16th 201. So far I have eten. Pot roast, porkchops, ground turkey. fiellet minone steak, Turkey and ham lunch meat, cooked vegies. I can eat raw onions and fresh toatoes. So far the only thing that as bothered me has been hamburger (fried) and bean sprouts. My favorite lunch is salsa a little non fat cream cheese and soy chips with a slice of white turkey breast lunch meat. I have eaten taco bell tacos with no problems.

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

The first week I was very tired. Same thing second week, but by the third week I was feeling fine. I was back to work half days. The fourth week I was back to work full time and back doing my water arobics.

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

I take three calcium citrate, two vit E one iron, two vit c one zinc two multi vit a B-12 I start my day with an isopure proein drink.

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

MY Doc requires all patients go to at least one post-op meeting a month. There are two meetings each month provided by the surgeons ofice. I attend both. I find them very informational as well as motavating.

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

I had lap I have seven tiny little scars that heald very well. Yes this is exactly what i expected them to be like.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I weigh only at my surgeons office. This way I always have a loss. I will continue this untill a year has passed. I do weigh on my scale the same day before my apt.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No not yet.