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

i first saw it when carney wilson was on oprah...and i thought well thats great..but i could never do that my insurance would never pay for it..and i cant eat that little of food ever...lol

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

i have insurance throught the military (my husband is retired air force) and i had to have enough co-morbidities and be approved by a surgeon for the surgery...there had to be a higher pro reason vs con reason to have the surgery..and once i had the dr submit his paperwork they okayed it really easy..but it did take 3 weeks of waiting..i have Tricare Prime

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

my surgeon was great!!! he answered all my questions..and gave me material to take home..he measured me and wieghed me and ask me if i was doing it for "vanity" sakes? or because it was so popular of a surgery right now..apperently i gave the right answers. and he scheduled me right a way...got the approval and did a great job..i must recommend Dr. Pat Scanlon of the Lakeland Surgical Clinic in Jackson MS he is great!!!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

i decided because my hips were killing me..i couldnt hardly get up if i squatted down..my knees couldnt hold me...my blood pressure and sugar levels were bad...i had sleep apnea but the worst was i had stress incontenence...and it was embarassing!! i was on nearly 15 medicines a day..too and that was terrible..i was tired all the time and grouchy and mean..depressed and was thinkin suicide all the time.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

i talked to my diabetic councelor, turned out she had had the surgery!! lol she told me what to look up and how to go about it..she intervened with my PCM (DR) and told me the RNY is the best ...workes great!! she even gave me places to call about the surgery...she was very helpful ..i researched and found i wanted the RNY and thats what i set my sights on..turned out thats the kind of surgery Dr. Scanlon recommended too..

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 was never afraid of dieing...i knew that if i died it would be better than living the way i was...but i trusted my doctor and i prayed for his skilled hands...i will admit..i was totally ignorant about the level of pain involved and the drastic life style change that there would be..how ever..i had good pain medication...and i have adapted to the food eating changes well..because i want this surgery to work and so far it is!!

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?

friends didnt want me to have it..family said it was my decision..but they were very afraid i would die...i let them know that i honored there opinions but this was my body and i had to do something..or i would die young..im only 41...my family was very very supportive and helped in anyway they could...its pained them to see me in pain and be able NOT to eat..but they have been great in complimenting me on my lose of weight!

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

i was not employed outside the home

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

my hospital stay consisted of 4 days..3 of them post-op...bring a hair brush to feel somewhat kept up..bring a toothbrush...bring a good attitude..but i know i didnt feel like reading or watching tv or playing games..i mostly slept and did my breathing excerises

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

i had to be on oxygen due to my apnea...and one of the staples started to infect..but the dr drained it..and it was fine...i dealt with it by just rolling with the flow...lol

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 felt terrible!! i hurt..i ached...i was nausous...i was miserable..i was tired...i cried alot...i was regretful..and i just kept reminding my self..that this is what i wanted..and once i saw the weight literally fallin off i started to cheer up cuz i knew then that it was workin..and now i dont regret anything any more..

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

that it will be very very difficult...they need to plan in advance to have a place they can sleep comfortable..i thought i did..but found the only bed i could sleep on was my grandson's ..it had a headboard i could use to get up and down..and out of bed...i got a recliner to make it easier to get up...expect of not be able to eat much of anything..i ate alot of mashed potatoes and cottage cheese...and cheetios..and watermelons..i wanted cold things all the time...for some reason ..and i had terrible cravings!! mostly salty stuff..they should expect that they will hurt..and they will not be able to do much...so rest and recooperate as much as they can

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

i had to travel 125 miles one way...was terrible when i got out..too long to have to ride after major surgery!!!! its a big commitment to travel 250 miles round trip for a 20 minute dr visit but i do it..because this was the best that i had available to me

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.

in the beginning...i could only drink mostly..and i sucked on cheetios..i know u arent suppose to eat that stuff but they were soft and i could tolerate them..i ate mostly mashed potatoes and cottage cheese..and cheddar cheese...i also ate..watermelon..alot of watermelon...that was my diet for..about 3 weeks...then i started adding...fish...and other fruits ..like apples and pears peeled and sliced..i did fruit smoothies with yogart...those were good..now im 4 months post op and i eat mostly what i want..i dont eat greasy food...i very very seldom eat anything fried...i do eat eggs..from the very begining i ate eggs...i no longer eat bread...which was something i loved..but i seldem ever eat it anymore...same with fries i dont eat them either...

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

in the days following it ..i had very low activity..was hard to stay awake...didnt do much more than my breathing exercises..and walked down the hallway to keep my legs from clotting...after about 3 weeks i was able to walk much more and my energy level was much higher..

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

i take a one a day multivitamin..and i take a B-12 vitamin...i havent been able to tolerate the protien powders but i have to find something that will be tolerable to me..because im loosin my hair

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 only vomited once!! thank god..but nausia is problematic to this day..im 4 months post op...i havent dumped at all and i am loosing my hair ..that one is the most disturbing to me!! i had thick hair and now its so thin u can see my scalp!! i am lookin for a protien supplement that i can tolerate the taste of..to help it

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

the PAIN!!!! i was totally unprepared for the pain involved!! was terrible!!

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

i unfortunately dont have a support group...my aftercare consists of seeing Dr Scanlon every 3 months for a year and then every 6 months for a year

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

my scar is from my breastbone to my belly button..i had open surgery..its as long as i was told it would be ..but it sure is ugly!! but yes its what i expected

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

i have plateaued once or twice..but once i do..i cut back on food amounts and get more active until it passes..then i start loosing again

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

i notice ppl smile at me more...and ask me if i need help...im still heavy but not as grossly fat as before