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

Was aware of the surgery for many years, never considered it, felt it was only for those who were severly overweight 400lbs or more. I thought it was a drastic measure. Then I ran into someone I hadn't seen for several years who had lost her weight and ask how she did it and she referred me to Obesityhelp.com and her surgeon.

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

Really left this all up to the surgeons office

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

Well I went through the VA hospital. It is a learning facility and my first consult was with an anesthesiologits(sp), he didn't have all the answers so he went in search of the assistant surgeon (can't remeber his name) he answered many of my questions and I was beginning to feel much better about having it. He (the assistant) then went in search of the chief of surgery at the hospital. Dr. Garr he was the surgeon who would be preforming surgery and Dr. Garr came in and spoke with me and my husband. Total consult about 2 to 3 hours. Be very prepared, have a list of questions and do your research.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My mother was extremly overweight, she was diabetic and had CHF and died at age 63. This was the determing factor, I wanted to live to see my grandchildren.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

It was the only one my surgeron preformed. Open RNY Sept 3, 2002

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 in good overall health, but had extreme fear of dying. The memorial page on this web site scared me. I expressed my fears to my husband, my surgeon, the nurses, the people I work with, and basically it was up to me to calm them so I prayed to GOD everynight. The morning of surgery I was about to back out and my husband said lets go to the hospital and if you change your mind we can leave.

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?

Everyone at first thought I was nuts. I'm 5'll and 315lbs I held my weight very good. Overtime and education they became more excepting. Some jealousy.

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

My first employer fired me (I worked for a wellness center) guess they thought I could do it there way instead of mine. My new employer hired me knowing I would be going out for surgery in 2 months and has been extremly supportive. -- Funny both professions are in the mental health field. I took advantage and was out 8 weeks

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

Hospital stay was basically good, no problems. I had a private room, air controls in my room so I could adjust as I chose. Stayed 4 days, and I didn't bring anything.

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

No complications...

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

Well I was off work for 8 weeks so I was able to get more comfortable with my new eatting and bathroom habits. I refered to obesityhelp.com library for any issues I was having, and was able to learn that what I was going through was normal.

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

I didn't do anything for myself for about the first two weeks. My husband was home with me the entire time. (he is retired) He waited on me hand and foot. They only things I did for my self was walking. If I was in a different situation, I'm sure I could have handled it ok. But it was really nice having him wait on me as I have never had that much attention on me...

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

Only 15 miles.

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 2 months only able to eat small 1-2oz at a time. Drinking it would take me all day to get in 30 oz. I still struggle with getting in enough water. I only drink water and decafe coffee (by choice). I have not eatten any breads or pasta. No sugar, other than what is in food. ie no sweets. I'm still a little leary in trying new things. This is something I need to work on.

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

Started walking at day 2 in the hospital walking the halls. Once home I started out walking around the cul-d-sac, then gradually adding more streets. I now walk 1-2 miles a day. I still have problem with tiring out easily. Muscle strength is building back up in legs, not sure why, but this surgery zapped me of my strength.

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

two calcium citrate daily. Liquid vitamins from Lifeforce called Body Balance, B-12 sublinquial

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?

Nausia lasted about a month, Diarrhea about the same until I came off the stool softner.

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

I dislike being down and not being able to run and do as I need to. I'm very independent and I felt with the "no lifting over 10 lbs" and not being able to drive till I came off pain medication was a real pain. Other than that, no real problems.

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

Obesityhelp.com is probably the most helpful. The Q&A section and library I come to daily. Support group only meets once a month and I haven't been since surgery. I feel it is extremly important to have someone or something (website) to refer to for information, I also have a friend who had surgery about 1.5 years ago who I can call on.

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

Scar is about eight inches long, goes write down the center of my stomach and is exactly what I thought it would be. It doesn't bother me.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Well I am only a little over 2 months out from surgery and so far I haven't experienced and plateaus as of yet. Weight loss is slow and steady.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I think what I have noticed with those who know me is they watch closely what I eat and how often I eat. As far as family goes no changes there. My sister who is also overweight has opened up and talks with me more about weight issues.