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

from a news program, I missed most of the newscast, so I didn't know if the newscast was positive or negative. My feelings were of hope. I called the station and called the tel# they gave me, and to my surprise Dr. Goodman returned the call himself. This was the beginning of a new and healthy life for me and my family. My grandson runs very fast, and now I can keep up with him, scoop him up in my arms and love, and kiss him all over......hmmmmm, that is delicious.........

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

I am lucky to have Oxford Freedom, although my Doctor was not within the Oxford list he did agree to accept whatever the plan would pay him as long as I agreed to pay him either $100, or $250 I just don't remember for sure anymore. All I do remember is that I did nothing in that department. The doctor's office took care of every thing for me. So Thank you Dr. Goodman, Thank you Dr Goodman's office staff, and of course Thank you Oxford Insurance Company, because all together...they truly saved my life.

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

Very informative. I was given all the good the bad and the ugly. But of course did you ever read the side effects of any drug your own doctor gives you for a head cold or any other medication? Do you know how many people die giveing birth in this country every year? Do you know how many people die from just being too fat and being very very unhappy to boot?

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Desperation. Plain and simple I had tried everything else. Unlike every one else in my support group I had never been fat as a child or as an adult, but then as an adult woman I had a hysterectomy, and that changed everything for me. In a mater of five years I gained 100 lbs and no matter how many diets and exercise programs I attempted, I found myself on a roller coaster up and down and every time I went down I went up and up much much higher than before. I spent thousands of dollars trying to lose weight....ONLY TO FEEL LIKE A FAILURE....YES I WAS DESPERATE That is what made me decide to have the surgery DESPERATION.

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

The first night was tough, but I had a wonderful nurse, so it was comforting, I was in the hospital a total of 5 days, my doctor wanted to keep me an extra day because I had not had a bowel movement.But there was no way I could have stayed another second because the nurse from witches from Hell, and I'm not kidding. They felt put out because I was not sick and worthy of their attention. I was ignored and treated very badly. I was warned by my support group that the nurses were terrible but never did I believe it would be as bad as it was. Oh, well 130lbs gone forever so 5 days of hell was woth it. Just feel that it didn't have to be like that....But, I'm HAPPY NOW

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

No complications at all. I know that all doctors have some complications but I really researched and I did call every body in the support group to speak to them individually, and I trully believe that I picked the best surgeon. Dr. Elliot R. Goodman he is one hell of a mechanic. My father always told me that practice does not make perfect. PERFECT PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT No complications for me.......Thank you Dr. Goodman.......

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

A little alone, a little afraid ( what the hell did I do to myself) I second guessed my decision to have this wls. I also felt very sad and I did mourn the food. I cried, but I also attented support meeting and they saved me. I really wasn't alone. We shared all of our feelings. One woman even said she wanted to die without her food. But we got strength and encouragement from eachother. We also had a wonderful psychologist, who helped us make sense of our feelings. She taught us that it is natural to feel sad, happy, anxious, and that we should feel the feelings of life and not supress these feelings with food. MAKES SENSE HUH? SURE DOES!

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

I was very very tired. I slept alot. Kind of got myself into a funk, but attending support meeting is the most important. We are not alone. I also went on to obesityhelp.com every single day, sometimes twice or even three times a day. I was not hungry at all but I did eat what I was able to eat and always took my vitamins, and my protein. It is really a learning experience, because we automatically eat and drink as we always have so after a few times of vomitting and voiding (unexpectedly)you kind of learn to eat slowly and drink 1 hour before or after meals .......Follow all directions to the letter and you are fine -- forget and you pay -- but you will learn to go slow and enjoy....

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

I drove two hours there and two hours back unless I hit traffic and then it was a five hour trip..............In New York City traffic is hell...........but again I was a person on a mission.........and I was worth it........this was for me..............My doctor was wonderful and always accomodated me as far as appointments were concerned. Of course I did go to pushy school so I do have a way of getting what I want. Ask and you shall receive. I also attended support group once a week in the beginning, for about 2 months.

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 told that I could start having scrambled eggs. I looked forward to it sooooooo much. My mouth was watering but, I gagged and couldn't keep it down. Cottage cheese was ok, premimum crackers, ritz crackers, campbell chiken noodle soup, eventually with a scrambled egg in it made egg drop soup and I loved that. egg salad, tomates, I hated the protein drinks but I did mix it with Atkins drinks and also Atkins protein bars gave the drinks a better taste and full of vitamins. I still can't eat too much bread, rice and pasta are out, although I was able to eat chef borardee ravioli. I still have a hard time with hamburger meat. I can and do enjoy steak. In the beginning sugar, even fruits would make me very ill. After 7-8 months I usually enjoy some type of dessert after my meal........never before my protein, vegtables,and salad. I don't miss any food at all. I bought potato chips one day had a few and no longer craved them!!!!!!!!!!Amazing

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

I was very very tired after surgery. I slept most days. For me, I started to feel more normal in the 3rd week after surgery. I did climb stairs in my home but was very winded. My doctor said it was normal to feel so wiped out after MAJOR SURGERY. Every day was better then the day before. This too, shall pass.

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

I did not follow my doctor's advice concerning vitamins. I bought mega vitamins on the internet and protein drinks, I not only lost pounds and pounds, I also lost dollars and dollars. I now follow my doctors advice 2-3 chewable vitamins a day I use Flintstones plus Iron. I am still losing pounds and pounds but now I'm keeping my dollars to myself (TO BUY CLOTHES) MY BLOOD TEST ARE PERFECT

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?

Vomiting, and dumping were the worst for me. Why oh why did I not follow instructions. If you eat slowly and do not drink with your meals you probably won't vomit. I was a sugar addict and I kept testing the waters so to speak. I had ice cream 2 weeks after surgery. I really enjoyed it so much.............YIKESSSSSSSSS.........SO this is dumping! feeling faint,very weak, cold sweats, nausea, AND SHITTING till you want to die..........OH MY GOD.........ICE CREAM ANYONE? 21 times later I'll pass 5-6 months after surgery I learned if I eat my protein, veggies, and salad IF I have room I can have a little dessert, yes cheese cake, yes a little ice cream YES YES I CAN HAVE IT IF I WANT OF COURSE I DON'T HAVE THE CHOCOLATE BECAUSE THAT RMINDS ME OF S---! DUMPING - UGH - IT IS NOT WORTH IT

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

Those Bitchy nurses.......sooooooooooooo rude, and mean too, and they were all ugly inside and out.

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

My support group meets once a week. It is very helpful and very informative. I enjoy meeting with the people there, but I do not go very often. I guess I attend once a month my support group, and then once a month I join another support group closer to my home , also the internet has been wonderful for me .I do that 3-4 times a week to stay on track.

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

My scar was 5 inches long now it 's smaller about 4" I did develop some keloid which I hate along the lower end but basically my scar is healing beautifully. At least that's what my primary doctor said. No I expected the scar to be much worse and also much larger looking. Now after 16 months It's just a line with a little keloid at the end of it. Not too bad.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I think I'm in one right now. I cursed at the scale the other day because it read 180lbs and I got off and on again and it read 186lbs. I cursed at the scale and said I'm going by the first reading. But I've been this weight about 2-3 weeks now, but that's ok I'm no longer obsessed I know it will come down as long as I follow the plan Well, now I'm 16 months post op and I'm down 130lbs. I still can't believe it. Every time I hit a plateau, I panic, I just know this surgery isn't going to work for me. it will fail and I'll always be fat. Then I use my tool, I always go back to basics I drink a full glass of water 1 hour before my meals, I do not drink with my meals, I do not drink for at least 1 hr after my meals, then I drink my water,I don't eat between meal snacks, I drink water, then I walk, try to start exercising again and just whistle a happy tune.....Use your tool......I just love it.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

That is a funny question because I never was aware of it before but yes maybe its because I am walking lighter and peppier. Yes I think people are treating me in a happier way a quicker happier upbeat feeling like maybe we don't have to feel sorry for that woman anymore. She is able to walk, and move her body around. I feel people don't look at me with disgust or pity. I just can't explain it but yes people are nicer or is it just me? Have I changed? I am so Happy thanks to Dr. Goodman and thank you GOD. I am happy and healthy.