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

My primary physician gave me my first introduction. But, that wasn't the push I needed. That push came from a co-worker that had the procedure and became a person I could get information and even see the results of his procedure in emailed pictures. In a year's time, my co-worker lost 150 pounds and lost an entire person.

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

I didn't have the trouble that some folks have encountered with getting approval. Aetna had already approved 4 people I work with, so I knew I'd get approved, as I had so many other co-morbidities than the other co-workers. I guess I just had faith that I'd get approved in the same expedient manner the others had been approved.

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

I felt like I'd done my research and had gotten enough good input from my primary physician, that there weren't a lot of expectations when I met my surgeon. He was willing to answer all my questions and even offered up some information I'd not even thought of. He was willing to spend all the time I needed to make sure I understood what I would be getting myself into. I was going to change my life forever and it would be a good choice......but, he also pointed out all the pitfalls that could/may happen with this procedure.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was told that if I had this procedure that I would no longer be dependent upon diabetic medications. My primary physician advised that I'd gone as far as I could with oral drugs and that injections were our next way of combating this problem. I hate needles! I also was concerned about the age I was in life and what would happen if I lost my job and needed the 8 medications I took on a daily basis. I would have been dead from lack of funds to purchase 2 of the drugs, let alone, all 8 of the ones I currently took. It wasn't a hard decision, as there were so many things that would be better compared to worse if I didn't have the procedure.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I didn't want to have a big scar from the open, so it was pretty easy to know that it would have to be the LAP procedure that would be my surgery of choice.

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?

At first, I worried about dying, but then I decided that I'd die early in life if I didn't do it. Besides, if it's time for the Lord to take me home, then I'd have gone one way or the other.

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 family has been split over their support, but seem to be all coming around to the idea. My sister and her daughter have been the best for support, as they've been their through it all and have encouraged me when I'd almost decide to not go for it. I don't think anyone could ask for a better support group than I have to go through this journey with them.

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

My supervisor was a bit concerned until he spoke with other associates who'd already gone through the procedure. I told him exactly what I was having done and my reasons. He is very supportive of my decision and has called to keep up to date on where I am in the process. I work from home and don't see my manager that often, so most of our communciations are done via telephone. He has all the phone numbers to contact my family after surgery on 7/25/02, so I know he's in my cheering section.

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

Six day stay.

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

I suffered a hemmorage in one of the reattached areas from surgery that caused me to lose about half of my body's blood supply. From this lose, I had a left-sided stroke which affected my right side. From the stroke and the MRI that followed, it was discovered that my right corotid artery was 98% blocked. Six weeks after by-pass surgery, I had corotid artery surgery.

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

After going through two major surgeries within 6 weeks, rehabilitation therapy for 6 weeks, I was able to return to work, but must admit it has taken a long time to heal. The LAP wasn't the issue to heal from, the carotid surgery was by far the worst to heal from.

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

I followed orders sent home to the letter. I had a timer that went off every 15 mintues and I drank some type of liquid every time the timer went off.

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

A round time was close to 100 miles to doctor and his chosen hospital.

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.

Every week, I added a little more food. Red meat was the hardest to handle/digest. Some veggies, like cabbage, really upset my stomach. But, I did like the doctor said and wrote down the ones that casued probs and put them on a 90 day wait period and then tried them again.

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

I had lots of activity, as after having had a stroke, I had to learn to walk again and to use my right side, so I could return to a fast paced life style needed for my employment.

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

Two chewable Flint Stones vitamins a day!

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?

vomitted for sometime after surgery, but as I look back, that was my own fault. My eyes still thought I had the old tummy and I would push the cleaning the plate issue. Hair loss, was personal, as I had extremely long hair, and about 4 weeks after surgery, due to the stroke and my son having to take care of me, the hair went to short, short, short! Adjusting to a boyish look for me, truly took its toll!

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

Nothing.........it literally saved my life!

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

Family......the most important support group anyone can have.

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

Had LAP and I don't have scarring.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

There have been several along the way, but I found that if you didn't sit on the scales daily, these plateau points didn't seem to last as long as I thought they did.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Oh, YES! Doors get opened, things get picked up by others when dropped.........you name it, folks approaches to skinny people are extremely different than they are to over-weight/obese people.