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

A friend of mine had the surgery and suggested it as a way for me to loose the weight. I was not ready to take the drastic step of doing this surgery. When my cardiologist told me that if I did not loose the weight my life expectancy would be 1/2 of my peers. I had 3 years to live. I was afraid that I would not be around to see my #1 grandson graduate from high school. Like my mom did not see my daughter graduate from High school. I tried a year of different weight loss things with my PCP's backing and could not loose the weight

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

When I was seeing a surgeon in Phoenix, My insurance approved me. I contacted them when I decided to switch to Dr. Chiasson and they told me I would have to start the process all over again. I said fine. I trusted Dr. Chiasson and was willing to do that. I was denied the first time and appealed because they had approved me 6 months earlier what was wrong now. I also did some leg work on my own to go thru the appeal process and worked with Dr. Chiasson's staff to get approved.

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

Dr. Chiasson was wonderful. He calls you back into the rooms and talks with you about all the risks, all the things that could happen. And all the things that you can expect thru the surgery. He also knew that I was very active with TUSWLS and was a great support for me in any and all questions that I had for him. Go into the meeting with a list of questions. More than likely he will answer all your questions before you get a chance to ask them. That has been my experience.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

As I stated before I was given a death sentence. I need to do something to loose the weight. I was willing to wait for Dr. Chiasson. That is how much I was impressed with him.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr. Chiasson prefers lap. That was fine with 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?

I knew the chances of complications from any surgery. I did my homework and I picked the best doctor for me. That is what I encourage everyone to do. Do your homework! Be prepared! Go into this surgery with the fact that this is a tool. You have to make the decision that this is going to be a change that you can live with for the rest of your life. YOU are the only person that can make the decision to go ahead with the surgery.

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 family supported me in my making this decision. They knew that this was my choice and I had to make the decision myself. My family supported me thru the whole journey. they are a constant support to me.

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

I do not work!

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 3 days. I was very grateful to the nurses and techs that I had the first night. They were the greatest. They taught me how to get out of bed. They were also there when I had accidents. They made me feel so special. My stay in the hospital was extended a day because they wanted to do another test to make sure that my pouch was not leaking. I am so grateful for all the wonderful care that I received.

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

Complications - Dr. Chiasson found an ovarian cyst when he was doing the surgery and called in a GYN to take care of that part of the surgery. I also went to Physical Thearpy because of back problems I had after loosing a large amount of weight. I have gone to my primary care doctor with all things thru this surgery. He needed to know what was happening. He also needed to see a success story instead of a failure like one of his patients. We are all learning thru this process. I have had things develope which probably would not have ever been detected because of this surgery. Like arthuritis. But because I am seeing my doctor along the journey we keep under control

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 so relieved that I was finally going to have my surgery. I made things for the support group. I did things that I wanted to do. I only had two weeks from the time my appeal was approved and when I had surgery.

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

I was so grateful. I had the support of my friends and family. I would take my walks and do what I had to do to make this surgery a success.

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

I was about 50 miles from the hospital. I stayed with a friend for a week after surgery so I was close incase I had problems. When I went in for my 1 week check up, Dr. Chiasson said I was doing great and I could go home. That was the first time I had to use the drugs that he gave to me was the trip home. Otherwise I could control my pain with meditation and Tylenol

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.

For the first 2 weeks it was broth, sugar-free jello ( I made mine from isopure and knox, or knox, sugar-free kool-aid and splenda) and I bottle of Isopure everyday. Day 15 we add an egg. at 3 weeks it was tuna, refried beans, soft foods. Week 7 add other proteins. 6 months add beef, pork, fruits, and vegetables. I am lactose intolerant. So I had many many problems with different foods. I also found that I could not tolerate the soy products. I finally came upon Egg protein and am doing wonderful with that. I encourage all to keep trying different proteins until you find something that works for you. There are so many, many things that are available today that were not availabe 6 months ago. I also found that when I could not have a certain food one day, if I waited a week I could proably tolerate that fool. Being a person with a lot of food allergeries it has been fun finding things that I could eat and enjoy.

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

My energy levels increased and I am so thankful today I can do a lot of things that I could not do before.

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

I have added biotin, B-12, Calcium, and most of all my 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 frothing. And I learned that when my allergies are extremely bad, this will happen with almost anything. It is something that I have to cope with. All the other side effects, I had the attitude that I was doing this to make me a healthier person and was so thankful that I had this tool to become a success.

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

I think being denied by my insurance when I had been approved 6 months earlier. And having to fight to have the surgery.

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

TUSWLS. The best I have been to. I learn something new each meeting.

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

Some are almost gone. I didn't not expect this so fast

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have been on one for about 2 months now. But I also went to my Psy. to get help with being skinny. I think I have almost got my head on straight again. And hope that I can start to loose the rest of the weight that I need to loose

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, I get more attention. They don't see the fat person that I was before. I also notice that when I am in stores, that I receive help where I didn't before