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

I have known about bariatric surgery for a long time and I have wanted to have the surgery for years. For me it will be a God send and a new lease on life.

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

It was a NIGHTMARE!!!!! Our insurance pays for the surgery but they make you jump through hoops for weeks before they finally say yes. It took me more than 8 weeks to get approved and the last couple of weeks I called every day!!!! All I can say is that persitance pays off!!!

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

I had already met my surgeon as she conducted the Orientation that I was in. I had done hours of research and reading on bariatric surgery before I ever went to Orientation, so our initial meeting was not a long meeting. I would advise you to do research and reading, check out your surgeon with the medical board, and be as prepared as possible so if you do have questions, write them down before your visit to the Doctor. Dr. Carter was wonderful. She answered any questions that I had and was very open and informative.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

It's as simple as the Insurance finally paying for it..no more and no less. I would have done it years ago if I could have.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After research and lots of reading I decided that the Open R N Y was best for me because of my age and my desire to get the weight off and keep it off.

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 really don't have any "fears." This is something that I have wanted for so long that there is noting that anyone could tell me to change my mind. I'm anxious about the unknown as far as how I will react tjo different situations as they are dealt me...but I'm not afraid. I think that the best answer is to be informed, get couseling and join a support group. All of these things will help alleviate the fear factor.

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, with the exception of my daughter, have been very supportive. My daughter is expecting a baby and is terrified that something will happen to me. My friends have gone above and beyond to give me support. I wouldn't communicate anything any different than I did. I know that their support will be there through the whole process.

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

My employer was very excited for me and have been wonderfully supportive in my decision. I just told her that I was having bariatic surgery and left it at that. Some asked questions and others just nodded and went on. I don't plan on being out of work for more than 3 weeks.

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

It wasn't the most pleasant experience I've ever had!!

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

I had constant nausea for six weeks and unable to keep anything down.

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

The first six weeks were awful..but my doctor did everything she could to make me comfortable and at about 7 weeks I began to feel better. The doctor just kept assuring me that I would get better...and I did!

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

I really can't tell anyone else what to expect as everyone reacts different. It was slow progress for me but I came out feeling much better at about 7 weeks. I had constant nausea, unable to tolerate anything in my stomach, on meds for nausea. However, I work with others that have had the same surgery and they breased right through and back to work in 4 weeks!

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

About 25 miles...No it didn't affect my after care as the doctors office is only about 2 miles from home.

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.

Until about 7 weeks out it was much of nothing to eat. Then I could only tolerate popsicles (sugar free), diet jello, and applesause. I had a drastic change in taste and smell. Things tasted and smelled very different. As the weeks went on I added some mashed vegetables, some very lean chicken (I still eat very little beef).Now almost a year out I eat pretty much what I want with the exception of anything that is greasy, milk,sugars and nuts. I am extreamly careful about what I eat, make sure that it is healthy, and that I can tolerate it.

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

It was slow going until about 7 weeks and then my activity level picked up and I have been on the go since.

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

I take a good multivitiamim, Biotin, Calcium, Potassium, Flaxseed, Omega3, CLA, and ALA.

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?

The nausea and the hair loss. I lost an extream amount of hair. I just knew it was part of the surgery and coped with it the best I could. Fortunately I had lots of hair and so it wasn't to terribly noticable. I also cut it off short. It has all come back in and of course there is no nausea. My hair came out for about three months before it started coming back in. The nausea about seven weeks.

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

I don't feel like there was "worst" part. I had my mind made up and so what ever came with it was worth it. Had it not been for this surgery I would not be alive today~~

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

None.....

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

It is what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

When I got around 200 pounds I stayed there for what seemed like forever. Finally the pounds started moving again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I can't even begin to tell you how different I am treated. It make me sad though that our world is made up so much on outer looks!!!