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

It was 15 years ago. I know a lady who did it and all worked well for her. Then it was called stomach stapling. I heard alot of bad things about it then like deaths and leaks, etc. Kind of made it sound barbaric then. Now I have researched it and my impression is basically, find a good surgeon and follow his orders and you can change your life, as long as you are willing to do the work required.

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

Right wiegh handled my approval. I did call and make sure that all of my paper work got there and that the ball was rolling but I got the approval in just under 2 weeks. I was pleased with Right Weigh.

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

My Surgeon was great. It was a seminar setting anhe gave the ifo and then answered questions. He was not hurried at all and I found it very informative and my surgeon was GREAT. Dr. Mark Shina in Louisville, KY. I recommend him highly. Have a list of questions and do your own research prior to going to meet with your surgeon. There is a lot of info. to be shared. Be as on top of your medical condition as you can be. Know whats going on with your body and be prepared to go over that with him. Also schedule a private meeting with your doctor if you first met with him in a group setting. This way you can some one on one attention and discuss your personal situation with him/her.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My health and the fact that I want to have another child. I want to have my active life back. I lost my thyroid in '98 and I just could not lose with the tools I had previously tried. So when I heard about this I started researching it and decided it was for me.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I went with the "Gold Standard" according to ASBS. The Open Rny. The others seemed experimental and to new for me. I decided to go with where I saw the results and took the suggestion of those who had gone before 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 did fear complications and dath because I am human. Those fears went away once I dealt with them. I basically believe in God and prayer relieved me of my worries. I would suggest prayer and talking about your feelings.

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 was and is my greatest support. My sister is having the surgery soon and we are fully behind her too. They were concerned at first. Most of that is fear that I wouls die. The more they learned the less they feared, thats where this site really came in handy. This was where I sent them to read the profiles and the Q&A Boards and get some answers. Thay were great.

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

I was out for 6 week. I told them I was having Gall bladder surgery. To me this is very personal and I did not feel the need to share this with them.

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

Hospital was okay, nurses were great. I stayed 4 days got out on day 5. My back scratcher was invaluable. Chapstick, I wish I had gotten a mask for my eyes I would have slept better. My sister worked out the VIP room so I was alone. Something to tie my hair up with, lotion and my own gowns and slippers. I wore socks the whole time. Take something lose to wear home and if your doctor does not require a binder ask for one anyway. They are nice to have when you are moving around the first week or so.

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

I had a hernia repair, that was my only complication. The pain from that was much worse than from the WLS. I had no other probs. with food, pain, etc.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

Well, I went through the depression that most people told me about. I was glad I knew it was coming. I even regretted the surgery for a couple of minutes. I am having some mood swings and I am a bit less tolerant than usual. I am not sure whats up with that. I pray a lot and try to keep a handle on things. Exercise seems to help too.

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

I needed help. Thank God for Mom!!! The amount of food you can eat wek2 will be greater in week 5 because the swelling will have gone down. I was not ready for the fight I had with food around week 6. I was craving things and having head hunger that I lost complete control over. I plateaued, and that was really upsetting. I spent to much time worrying about weight coming off. This is a process and as soon as I got back to the basics things got better for me.

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

No travel at all. Everything was right here in Louisville, KY.

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.

Sugar and fats are off limits. I can tolerate some sugar if I have something on my stomach already but not much. I started on soupd when I got home, removing the liquid and eating only the meat and veggies or pastas. The next two weeks we were on meats only. No steak and watch for fatty meats. I got some cans of tuna and potted meats. Then he basically left us there. Meats and occassional fruits and veggies. I got some cottage cheese and fruit cocktail and until I started my morning protein that was my breakfast. Now I take my meds and protein for breakfast. Great way to start the day for me lots of energy since I can't do coffee. My dumping didnot start until about 2-3 weeks after surgery. I thought it would not happen and I even ate a couple of sweet things to see if I would dump in the first weeks. It finally kicked in. Thats where things are now for me. Meats are fine. I still cannot eat raw veggies, the gas is aweful. I am hoping that changes for me soon. I am only 2 months post-op so time will tell.

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

From crawling to walking basically. I walkes just around the house the first couple of weeks. Now I walk a couple of miles at the gym and I do sit-ups. Just started those. Doc said no more than 5 at a time and to do them in the bed first. to start building my arem I am walking with 5 pound weights. I do not want muscle developement to increase to the point that I gain weight I just want to try to slow down sagging skin.I have increased in energy weekly since the surgery. Even my bout of depression had a little energy to it.

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

Surpreme Whey Protein, I take it with unsweetened pineapple juice and the extra 90 calories is worth the taste being tolerable. I take a liquid vitamin 2 times a day, I take liquid B-12 three times a week. Biotin and Vitamin E daily for hair and skin. 2 Tums for my calcium and they also make my tummy feel better. I wa taking my iron everyday but the constipation was getting to me so I now take it every other day. I may need to go back to everyday and take some MOM for the constipation. I tried Zinc but it caused me to dump something aweful. I know am going to try a half a pill and see how that does.

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?

Sleep was my problem because I could not get into position. I tried to come off my pain meds to early and that was a problem in the beginning. None of the other problems exhisted for me. I was lucky, I know. I have never vomited..the dumping is more of a warning to me and its happened 3-4 times.

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

The fact that I could not be a mother for 3 weeks, I missed picking up and being able to keep up with my baby. The pain is a distant second.

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

This site and my family...I could not have survived without these people. I researched with them , got info from them and cried with them. I really cannot express the true importance of the support group of WLS friends I have and my family.

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

It looks like a long zipper. I am a Black woman and my scar is slowly going away with the use of cocoa butter. I had a c-section and Dr. Shina just merged the twoscars and saved my belly button. Yes it is what I expected. I had no incision problems.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I was on a plateau for about 2 weeks, I think it had alot to do also with the fact that I was fighting with food and grazing also. Don't like them but they are a part of the process and now that I know they can and will break I think I can stand it a little better next time.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Guys are looking at me a little differently but I think thats confidence and not my weight loss. I still do not look that different and I am not fitting into the clothes that were tight on me prior to surgery. My family does not either. Its still early.