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

I'm a nurse and while working at the hospital i took care of patient who had it done along time ago and was on total parental nurtrion.I met one person who had it done and she gain it all back(weight)Then there was a lady who went to church i attended.she had rny and great success.I was scared of it.Afraid i would be sick afterward.I felt it was quick fix.

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

I was very fortunate my insurance was approved quickly.

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

Open and to the point.Explain the risk and all possible complication.He was very friendly or compassionate but informaive.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My children are overweight.I'm seeing them going through what I did.Since I control what the eat and cook.It's my responsiblity.But how can you control something that you have no control.How can I make my children excercise if I don't.I had to stop the cycle.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Md decided which was best for me.

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?

All surgeries has risk and complications.This surgery isn't diffent.Everyone is scared before surgery.Because you are putting your life and health in the hands of a man/women.Which all humans can cause errors.But with spiritual help and pray,everything is possible.

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?

Scared and they did alot of praying for me.Now after seventy five pounds lost they are so happy for me because I'm happy.

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 four days.My insurance approved for four days.The hospital was great.The nursing staff was wonderful and caring.You definitely need someone to be with you.A family or friend.The staff are good but you become very dependent and the staff can't meet your needs all the time.Also I thought I had made a mistake afterwards,I guess because of the pain and the NG tube in my nose.I was scared too.A support person was the best.

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

none,Praise God!!!!!

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 very scared.Scared of dying.But found my comfort in the LOrd.HE WAS ONE who help me cope.

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

You will be very,very weak.It will be hard especially if there are others in the house that will be eating.The smell of the food,the site of food.This is where you will find out how much you are addicted to food.Take it easy.Find the drink that you can drink(It me several beverages before I find out what I can drink)and constantly drink.FOLLOW YOUR DIET!!!don't rush it.

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

drove one hour and half.No problem with care.

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 followed my diet.clear the first week and then full liquid then pureed.The dietician will give you info on the gastroplasty diet.

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

Very limited.I was very weak.I was able to walk and do little stuff.I usually took a nap in midday.Each day especially after I started my full liquid diet I tolerated more activity.

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

Chewable multivitamin every day.When I started my full liquid I started taking protein supplement.I will start B-12 shots next months.

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?

None at this time.Some sleep disturbace not bad.Some hair loss.Still to early will write more later. Now six later,I'm having some epigastric problems.Some heartburn and refluxs.Watching my diet and some medication has solved it.Hair loss is minimal.No sleep disturbances now.Lot more energy.

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

Naso gastric tube that was in my nose for three days.Not all surgeon uses this.Mine did.Also being weak.

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

It's about three and half inches down epigastric area.It's about half inch wide.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

there was about three weeks I didn't lose any weight.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Well besides everyone commenting on my wt loss.How good I look.I did get a promotion about four months after my surgery but it's hard to say it was do to my size or wt loss.I think its to soon to tell.I can that my husband is treating me diffently.He wants to be with me more.I don't know if its because of my wt loss or improved shape or just because I have a better attitude about my self and life.I guess I am a livier person now.