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

When I was a little girl a lady in my town had it. I never thought that much about it until I needed it for myself.

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

This was no problem. being out of work, I was on Medicade. All I needed was a letter from my PCP stating that I needed this surgery.

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

I really felt that Dr. Sabback was cold. Then on my second meeting with him, I saw that he really cared. In order to get the most out of these meetings, write all your concerns and questions down. Take a loved one with you to catch the things you may miss.And most of all, RESEARCH!!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

epending on loved ones to do everything I couldn't.

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

My hospital stay was uneventful. I stayed in ICU longer than expected (3 days), I hd some breathing problems. On the 4th daay I went home. For me somethingto read was important because I was bored to death.

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?

As the weeks went by I felt better and better. Two weeks after surgery I went to the grocery store for the first time in over 2 years. I had no anxity because this is what I needed and wanted. I was willing to deal wth anything that came my way.

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

I nearly cried my first day home. I went to stay with my mother until I recovered. She cooked Fried chicken, collard greens, mac and cheese and peach cobbler. All the stuff I love and I had to sip on chicken broth. Be prepared to watch others eat the things you can't. That was theonly problem I had.

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

15 miles, no

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.

It has been two months since my surgery and I live on mashed potatoes. I can eat corned beef hash, I can eat veggies if they are cooked to be soft. I can eat pasta but I try not to eat it too often. I can't eat eggs at all. No rice, chicken (even canned) Ground beef, Oh but one thing I can eat and I love it is snow crab legs. yum-yum!! The firs 6 weeks were hard. I will never eat soup again in my life!

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

Day by day it got better. Now I'm doing things I haven't done in years. Picking peaches and blueberries to make jelly. Loading and unloading watermelon. Cleaning my house without stopping. It use to take my a couple of days. Shopping without looking for place to sit. Exercising. And the best thing yet, Playing with my kids.

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

2 Flintstones, Iron and B-12 twice a day

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 get nausia from bad smells and that never happened before. If I eat too fast I throw up. I sleep like a baby now. I have not tried sugar so no dumping. I got my hair cut for the first time in 10 years ( my reward for losing 50lbs.) I have not lost any hair.

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

Ging on vacation and eating mashed potatoes for every meal.

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

Oh my God!! This site is a gift from God! I also have found a new family with Dr. Sabback's support group. Hey Ya'll! I alos depend on the Lord. I can talk to him in the wee hours of the morning when it's too early to call anyone else. I have wonderful friends and family that keep me going. Having someone rooting for you is very important. It gives you the power to keep going. I would like to reaaly thank my sister, Leticia Williams. She cleaned my drain tube and gaged the whole time and didn't complain. She jacked my kids up when I couldn't. She bought the things I needed when I didn't have the money. Everyone should have someone like that. She even took me out to lunch and ate mashed potatoes just like I did.

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

Oh my scar is beautiful. I had an ugly scar from another surgery but Dr. Sabback cut it out and gave me a pretty one.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none yet

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No. I started out at 467 now I'm 395. People that know me can see a difference but strangers treat me the same way.