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

From an orthepedic suergon who treated me for a broken arm that required surgery

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

I was on medicaid at the time. The doctor who performed my surgery, Dr. L. Kuzmac was a pioneer in bringing the lap band to the place it was(1988) and where it has came to in 2003. Because of my age( just turned 19) and my weight and my health, he took on the case and accepted what meficaid paid him, along with the hospital working with what they paid them.

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

I was young, and scared and just wanted to have a better life that he told me this surgery would help me have. He was kind and informitive, and let me know that the surgery would be painful ( they cut from breastbone to belly button back then, no lap surgery was around,) and that my entire way of eating would change or I would suffer with throwing up and blocking of the esophogus from throwing up food that were too big or would expand(bread, rice, meats)

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

385 pounds??? Who wouldnt decide?

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

In 1988 there were two choices I found, stomach stapling where they stapled part of yor stomach off, and then there was there bypass that took part of your stomach to another place, and the side effects were cnstant diharreah. To find this procedure, I thought I hit the lottery! A band to go around my stomach with an adjustable "port-a'cath" to tighten and losen should i need to be able to eat more for possible future pregnancys,, etc,,, I chose that !!

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 knoew i could die from obesity , heart attack or any other weight related issues suddenly, so to be in the hands of a medical professional that would moniter me while i was being operated on, I had little fear, just anxiety of getting it over with.

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 mom was scared for me, but knew that after trying every diet she could, that this was my only chance.

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

I was unemployed at the time, in college

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

I was in the hospital for 5 days. I brought a walkman and a few books back than it was the minimum, due to the cut they made for the procedure

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

None

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 was excited to get it done, couldnt wait. The night before my surgery, I ws in the hospital and had to say goodbye to my mom and my son and I started to cry because i was afraid I would neve see them again, thats when I got scared. The nurses gave me a sleep seditive and when i woke up I was told that it was time to get going , my surgery was in 30 minutes. I said my prayers and I was on my way,,,

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

I was stubborn, I figured i could still eat Mcdonalds,,, I puked it up bite by bite. I found what could stay down ( no meat whatsoever and no bread or rice) and became a fan of cream of mushrrom, brocoli and other soups. I had to realize I had to plan out my nutrition better and avoid themtation of fast food places, or i would be throwing up all day.

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

two towns away

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

I was sluggish for the first two weeks as i got used to not eating and the surgery pains healed.

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

Flinstones chewable multi vitamins!!

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 had begun to get heartburn in the first year after surgery from the lack of food and the acid from the diet soda and the coffe I drank, both things I was advised to avoid, but i didnt listen to.

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

There was never a bad part

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

Ugly and long,, and never faded. Yes it is, but I scar badly, so, i have learned to live with it

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had the band removed on May 23, 2003, due to it erroding through my stomach. I am nervous about what the future hold, without it, I dont know how to maintain a "normal weight" and i am heavier now than I have been sine I was pregnant with my 3rd child in 97, when the band was fully opened.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I have a life!