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

I heard about it on TV. I think it was Carnie Wilson's situtation that really brought it to light for me. But after doing alot of resaerch is deceded I did not want what she had done, the RNY! My first impression turned otu t9o be true foe me. That type of surgery would not leave me with the lifestyle i desired. So after further research I found a surgery i was comfortable with. BPS/DS The Duodenal Switch was my person choice. Do enough research to make your owm informed decision.

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

I simply called DAILY! Several times a day some days !!! Until they gave me the answer i wanted to hear ! YOU ARE APPROVED !!! My advice is simple! Stay on them till you hear the same words!!!!!!!!!!

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

The first meeting with Dr. Keshishian was wonderful and very thorough. First impressions are lasting! If you do not like the doc at first meeting I would pick another! Be prepared with written questions. Do your research! Any good doctor is going to want to know that you have!!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Talking to other people who had had the surgery and hering what theri lives where like now inspired me to go ahead.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

All I can say is RESEARCH !!!!!!!!! The Duodenal Switch offered me the results coupled with the lifesyle after, that I was looking for!I love the fact that my anotomy is basicly the exact same way God made it only just a bit smaller!!

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 was at total peace in this area. I left it in God's hands. If this was what i was suppose to do than i asked Him to mjake it all happen and He did! So I knew everything would be ok! :iving with my co-morbidities were far worse than my fears about dying or having co plications.

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?

I was very blessed! My family was and has been very supportive. O' sure there were all the normal concerns. But I feel I made a very well educated decision and my family could tell. I shared with them my research and they felt comfortable with my decision.

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

I am the President of small corporation. So I did not haev any hassles getting time off. BUT I have had issues with staying off work to heal being the work-aholic I am!! My adive! TAKE THE TIME TO HEAL! I went back at 1 month post-op. I am doing fine at work but still tire easily.

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

I was there 5 days. It was fine. I had private help provided by the hospital for the fisrt 48 hours!!!

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

Not really. Just a slight incision infection. Lasted about 10 days.

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 felt ok. I was eating solids on day 4 !!!! It was not as bad as I had thought it might be.

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

I rested alot. But other than that was ok. Had to walk walk walk!!

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

I travel from Kansas to California! It worked fine beacsue my doctor is very good at long distance aftercare.

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 dont have any limits really. Thats the best part of DS. I do not like bread, fills me up too fast. I do not eat alot of surgar but enjoy it from time to time with no ill effects.

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

Dr. Keshishian offers a great after-care program. The monthly meetings are great but since they are in California and i live in Kansas I do not make it to many! Dr. K is going to start taping them and making them available via the web! I cannot wait! I alos ahve a great support group through the DS page. www.duodenalswitch.com Just having others to talk to that understand has been the greatest help!!

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

My scar it not bad at all. I have a vertica, open scar. At 5 weeks post-op it is already starting to fade. I have pictures of it if anyone wants to see them just email me.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I SWORE that plateus would NOT bother me! ROFL! HA HA HA BUT at three weeks out after loosing 30 pounds I hit one!! AND OH it bothered me BUT at 5 weeks out i am -37 pounds now and the scale is moving regularly again! keep in mind plateaus are just our body's way of trying to hold on to old ways!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Just starting to yes. But not all good! Some of my overweight friends are just pulling away from me. It hurts actually. I am not sure if they are scared i will try to push them to do have surgery or if they are jealous. But either way it bothers me.