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

I had a baby in June 1999 at an all time high of 428 lbs. After that experience my OB said she would give me 1 year to get this weight off or we would need to look at surgery or I would die. Then I got cellulitis in my calf in August of 1999 and my primary care doctor, who I was a new Patient of, scheduled me an appointment with Dr. McConnell to discuss getting this weight off before I had anymore health problems. It took 6 months for that appointment, which was the earliest they could get me in, so I had alot of time to research it, and I knew right away I wanted this surgery.

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

My insurance denied me because I am not to the point where I have any problems with my health yet, but I believe only because of my age of 34. It was only a matter of time so I feel it is better to be pro-active then re-active. I was lucky to have my parents pay for it.

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

My first visit to the doctor was him seeing if I fit the profile to have this surgery done, which I did. Then he explained all the different surgeries and told me to think about which would work best for my life. I feel the reason that the first meeting went well was because I research everything I could get my hands on about this surgery so I already had lots of questions he could answer.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I knew even before meeting the doctor I wanted to do this, because this weight was killing me and I needed to be a better mother for my 3 and less than 1 year old. I had researched everything, and decided I could live with this lifestyle change.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I felt that I needed to be able to eat as little as possible, to be able to keep my weight off in the long run. I also had read and the doctor said that the other procedure besides the gastric bypass caused odorific gas and numerous loose stools which I could have in the job I have.

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 never was even nervous because I was comfortable with all that I had researched and I had made up my mind that no matter what happened, this was going to be better than living in the body. My husband and mother in law were worried like crazy something was going to happen during surgery, but I just had to tune them out. I was doing this for me and my children and I figured they were adults that could deal with whatever happened. I didn't allow myself to listen to others nonsense and I turned to the doctor and internet for answers to any questions I had.

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?

Most of my family and friends were very supportive except my husband and mother in law who and just worriers. I tryed to get them all the information I could to understand everything there was to know. Once my mother in law understood why I needed to do this she worried still but understood why I was doing it. My husband and everyone has been very supportive since as soon as they realized I was going to be ok. My husbands big statement before was just exercise and it will fall off.

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

My Assistant Manager was very supportive about everything, but I kept my comments to a minimum at work, I think because I didn't wanted to hear any negative. I was out of work for 4 weeks which might have been a little short for someone that has a very physical job, but I managed I just didn't lift over 20 lbs.

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

My hospital stay was fine. I felt that the nurses didn't really understand everything there was to this. I had my surgery on a Monday and checked out by 10 am Friday. I had I great bed called a Magnum bed which sat up into a chair like position so I could get up to move around easier. I felt like I slept alot and walked alot because I felt the more I walked the better off I would be to go home and deal with life.

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

I had my epidural turned up I little to high so I had no strength in my left arm and my vision was blurred in the eye. As soon as they turned down my epidural the symptoms went away. The worst thing I had was a couple trapped gas bubbles the day I came home which was the worse pain I had.

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 my surgery was scheduled I had about 4 weeks and without thinking about it I ate my way though that time. By the time I had gone in for my pre-op checkup, I had put on 9 lbs. It was I very disgusting thing in my opinion.

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

I had a hard time because my son was 10 months old and I could hold more than 5 lbs. But my parents and sister helped me with my kids alot. I was never left alone. I took a nap every afternoon and I think that really helped me heal. It is definetly alot of work for everyone during your recovery unless you have no children at home that rely on you, then you could just rest. You need to adjust to everything, I still can't figure out dinner well after 11 weeks because nothing sounds good.

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

About 20 miles- not bad at all

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.

I just ate jello and chicken and rice soup for the two weeks and then Just slowly tryed everything. Potato went down well, scrambled eggs, yogurt and cottage cheese were all favorites. I still don't eat alot of bread because it just fills me up to fast. I eat a half a fajita flour tortilla for my bread with a sandwich, because its not so much. Coffee and diet pop and the two things my stomach dosen't tolerate well but each time I try its a little better.I have really no desire for any thing that hasn't agreed with me.

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

Just normal things but have done the best on the weeks that I have got into and exercise routine like walking or swimming. One week I spent on a houseboat with 6 adults since my surgery I lost 15 lbs. Swimming. Another weekend I went camping with my family and all the kids and lots 7 lbs. because of all the walking. Everyday I have more energy and everything that use to hurt dosen't hurt as much.

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

I take a liquid multivitamin 2 times a day and liquid calcium 2x's a day. I also take zantac in the morning and at night to help with not getting an ulcer.

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 have only had a couple episodes of vomiting and it was when I ate one bite to much then it was more like dry heaving very violently. One time was because I drank water too fast. Nausia seems to only happen right away if something dosen't agree like coffee or food with too much sugar.

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

Being denied by insurance and having to let my parents pay for something I feel I let get so far out of hand.

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

I attend a support group at a local hospital that meets once a month. I feel this is very important to talk to others that have been in the same place and had the same feeling.

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

I long pinkish red scar that goes straight for the top of my ribs to my belly button. I think of it as my battle scar and it doesn't even bother me. I let all of these stretch marks happen over the years so I should even care about the scar.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Haven't had any yet as of 11 weeks

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

They are always complimenting me an how great everything is going.