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

I came to Dr. Ali for another reason and found all these people in the waiting room. Some thin some not thin some much heavier then me and so happy -- I asked the nurse what's that all about and she told me. I had heard of the process but was afraid it was to radical for 'normally fat People'. Dr. Explained it was a tool to help me get to a weight that would help me overcome the highblood pressure, surgar and depression. He said he could help if I was willing to meet him half way and that my insurance would pay for it. I saw a light at the end of a long tunnel but my friends and family / with the exception of my husband / was against it they thought it was too dangerous. I researched and researched and found that compliance was key this is a journey for the rest of my life...not a diet. I have 50 more pounds to loose as of today but am sure in time I will make it.

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

This part was easy. I wrote and told the story of the many attemps at weightloss and how I always lost but never stayed there. I had high blood pressure( I was on 3 meds) high sugar - sleeping problems joint problems stomach pains acid reflux my med were over 120 (co-pay) and they cost the insurance company over 450 a month I now take one blood pressure pill and it is only 10 mls at a cost of 20 for three months and 38 for the insurance co. Everything else is cleared up. I sleep through the night too>>>>>

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

Be prepared the internet is a great help

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I am not going to be fat any more. The end result is up to me and I am the most important person I know.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Took Dr. Ali's advise

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?

Most complications happen from people who are not compliant. That is they donot follow the rules set down for a safe and healthy journy. Some people will have a problem or two but when you don't feel right do something call the Dr or the hospital right a way and pray for strength get support friends family someone who you are not ocmpeting with. this is key. Competition = sabotage!!!

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?

The decision brought fear to my sons and my sister but they understood I wanted this for them not just me. I wanted to be around for a long time to come. They took me out for an early celebration of my 60th birthday and let me have lobster for breakfast with champagne and steak for lunch with lost of diet coke and a whole slabe of st. louis ribs for dinner. We laughed and joked about never again and then we prayed for sucess. I have a remarkable family.

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

I do not work any more the weight was too much for me to do what I had been trained to do. Now I don't want to work anymore and thank God my husband has a great job

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

Hospital stay: I stayed only two days. they were remoldeling the unit and so I was put on a regular floor - they were sorry for the inconvience but they did what they could to help me. I did not feel like an elephant in a tiny car the chairs were big the bed was big the bathroom was big. As for what to bring tooth brush that's important mouth wash nothing else. you don't need anything else.

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

I had no complications what so ever

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 got my date two weeks out and had a lot of anxiety but I kept busy with friends ate a lot of good food -- I thought I would never be able to have again-- guess what I can have it just not nearly the amount I had before.

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

the first few weeks home my husband set up a schedule for me on my PDA as to when to eat and what. I spent most of my time trying to drink enough liquid and get enough exercise -- not to much but enough. I watched the pounds slip away and the anxiety went with it.

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

the hospital was about 20 min from my house but I have since moved about 30 miles away. The affect is simply that I have not gone to a support meeting and I need to. My weight has stopped coming off ( I have dropped 60 lbs in 5 months) and some foods make me feel sick like rice but other than that I feel great

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.

Before the surgery in March I had a problem with spicy foods. I would get acid reflux every day and night. Now I do not. Before I could eat citrus now I cannot and now I have a problem with rice and starches in general. Right after the surgery I was on a liquid protein shake and creamed foods for 3 weeks. Then on creamed or pureed foods Then on solids. The diet plan that Lite Dimentions gave me was to carry me thru the first 6 weeksI followed it to the letter. I had no problems, as this was the same as every other diet given to me just less more often. It worked for me as it has for countless others. Now as in the last few months I eat what I want when I want just not a very large portion. I weigh the protien to 2 oz at a meal and I eat a very small salad and 1/4 cup veggies -- Oh did mention it takes an hour to eat that amount and no liquid for 30 to 45 min after. Now I have 1 egg 1/2 slice toast and 1/4 slice bacon with a white chocolate ( sugar free) late for my morning meal the coffee comes 30 to 45 min after the meal the meal takes 45 min to hour to eat ( time allowing) Mid morning I have peanut butter on crackers or yogurt no sugar added. Lunch is apple sauce 2 oz meat and 1/2 low carb tortilla followed by 20 of fruit flavored non carbonated waterthis comes 30 to 45 min after the meal the meal takes 45 min to hour to eat ( time allowing) Mid after noon I have ice tea At 4 pm I have 1 oz of nuts almonds followed 6 oz tomatoe juice I only wait 15 to 20 min and I sip the tomatoe juice Dinner is a samll very small salad lettuce and sweet peppers with 1/4 c green beans 2 oz fish, chicken, pork or beef and 14 cup pasta or rice( rice makes me feel really full really fast) I have a large water 24 to 30 an hour after the nightly meal and a 2 mile walk.

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

The first few weeks up to 6 I was walking only short walks less than a quarter of a mile each several times a day then I started playing golf twice a week and walking 2, 1 mile walks a day.

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

I take 1 centrum 1 vitamin c and 1 iron pill daily and add a vit b12 on sundays that is it now.

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?

So far I have had no vomiting, no sleep disturbance, no dumping, very little hair loss and when I eat rice or swallow too much liquid too fast I get nausea. I take a walk when this feeling happens. it goes away after a very short time

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

The worst part was no more diet coke or root beer I love diet coke. I tried letting it go flat but that does not help it does not tast the same. Some friends have suggested i drink 2 oz and see what happens but I have not tried it yet.

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

I have none except for my husband who wants me to succeed and be happy. I think I will try to find one in my new area as I feel someone elses opinon would be very helpful

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

I have 6 - 1 inch ones and they are almost faded away after 4 1/2 months

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am on a platue right now and that is why I think I need a support group. I have been at the same weight now for 10 days and I am getting depressed about it.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

We moved and people treat me like a normal size 12 lady now not like the size 26 I used to be. they think I am me the me I have always been but now other people see it. One of my husbands co-workers took me aside at an outing and asked me if I knew Jim was married to a very nice lady -- I said yes I did and I am her he was so shocked. He huged me and told me how great I looked.