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

I heard about bariatric surgery from an aquaintance. Then I began researching it on the internet. I got so excited. The thought of not only losing the weight but keeping it off sound like a miracle. A dream come true. Now I can't seem to stop talking about it....I would like this surgery but I am having a hard time just getting started. Changing insurance has meant looking for another doctor, and now having to do paperwork possibly all over again. This is very depressing to me because I was hoping to have this done in August and now that may not happen.

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

I had picked a doctor for the surgery with my first insurance company so when we changed insurance I found that my choice of doctors was not on the plan. I called the office and asked them if they would be willing to apply for a contract so that I could still have the doctor. They did apply and I am waiting for a response. In the meantime, I contacted a second doctor just in case the first can't be put on my insurance. This doctor's staff was well informed of what was required for my insurance company. They told me that I needed to letters from doctors stating that I had been under their care for obesity and provide a report from a pyschologist. It wasn't as hard as I thought. I was able to contact a doctor in California and another here in Houston both who were willing to provide a letter. I am waiting for those to arrive by fax at the end of the week and I am obtaining a copy of the psychological evaluation since the first copy was sent to the first surgeon. Once I have all my paperwork together, I need to fax it all to the doctor along with a patient registration form and a detailed diet history form. I will keep you posted once I have submitted my paperwork to the insurance company and have heard back from them.

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

I found that Dr. Taylor was there to give me as much time as I needed to ask questions and discuss everything to me. I believe the best way to get the most out of a first meeting is to write down your questions before hand and then be prepared to ask away. I am going to get an appointment with Dr. Naaman's office also, and I have another list of questions ready for him.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Just tired of being overweight and being unsucessful over and over after every diet. Also, because of some very embarrassing moments!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided on Laproscoptic over open for two reasons, one because I wasn't to crazy about a big scar and two because I have five children and needed to heal fast and get back into the swing of things because nobody wants to help you out with that many kids!

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 guess I did have fears of dying. I am afraid that no one will raise my kids or be patient with my kids like I can be. No one will love them like I love them. I read about a woman who had lost her husband to Morbid Obesity after having WLS say: " look at your kids in the face and think ....is it worth it, if you die and leave them" This one statement just ate at me. I have a 13 yr. old, a 10 yr. old, a 3 yr. old, a 2 yr. old and a 1 yr old. WHAT WAS I THINKING OF? Then I realized that I can be a lot more to them if I am around to see them grow up and babysit grandkids. If I keep going like I am I may never get past seeing them graduate from high school. I am doing this for me, and for them. I just have to trust in God. I prayed that if it is the Lord's holy will that I have this surgery then everything will work in my favor and if it isn't then close all the doors and help me to have peace in who I am. Putting my trust in God has taken away the fears and the guilt and has relieved me of the burdens that go along with worrying.

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 mother: It makes me nervous but I will support you how ever I can. I will pray for you that if this is what God wants, then it will all work out (sound familiar?) My mother-in-law: You don't want to do that, people have died from that. Just eat less food, have you tried such and such diet yet? One friend: Just tell me when the surgery is and I will come over and help with the kids. Very understanding and happy for me. Another friend: Quiet and didn't make any comments except, that she tried a diet called weigh down and it worked for her (She also is thin and only needed to lose 5 or 10 pounds) Another friend: Are you sure you want to do something so drastic? Then she listened to how I felt and was ok after that. My brothers and sisters: All supportive and praying for me.

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

I work at home, so I have not mentioned it to my boss. I am deciding whether or not I even have to mention it.

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

The hospital stay was ok. I guess I would have liked to see nurses with smiling faces instead of like they were not happy to be there. My stay in the hospital was for four days. I planned on slippers and my own nightgowns to feel good after surgery. But I didn't feel like moving, let alone dressing up are doing my hair. I guess slippers were the biggest necessity to keep your feet covered when you walked.

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

No complications occured because of the surgery. I did however get a pill stuck a few days after leaving the hospital. It caused a great deal of pain and I thought something may have gone wrong. Thankfully, I THREW UP and the pain went away and now I cut my vitamin pill and anything else the doctor prescribed into little pieces before a swallow it.

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

Sometimes I felt low only because I wasn't getting to eat what the rest of the family ate. I had to remember that I chose this and that I was going to have to live with it. It eventually gets better. But don't try cheating. Boy, did I get sick trying to eat a slice of pizza at 4 weeks post op!!

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

First week. Feeling tired and sore. I felt unsure of eating. It even scared me a bit. I drank very slowly and if I felt just a bit queasy or nauseated, I stopped drinking. It was ok, since I wasn't at all hungry but I was lacking in necessary calories that I needed for the day (my doctor said to shoot for 800) and I was consuming about 300. So I am sure that is one reason for why I felt so tired. All I wanted to do is sleep.

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

The Hospital was approximately 30 miles from my home.

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 am presently 6 weeks post op as I write this and have found that it is difficult to know how much liquid I can consume at the same time I eat a meal. Like one cup of soup and a glass of crystal light is TOO much at once and then I feel very uncomfortable.

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

slow. I was really pretty tired the first 4 weeks. I am now 6 weeks and I feel much more energetic

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

I am presently taking a multivitamin from Eckerd drug. Generic form of Centrim. It includes calcium, zinc and iron. Unfortunately it doesn't have 100% required for the calcium so I am glad that I can still drink Non Fat milk.

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 really didn't have many side effects, other than losing some hair in my brush every morning. I just don't worry about it.

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

The day after surgery. I felt like a truck ran over me!

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

No support group. I kind of wish I had at least one person to talk to that can honestly share the challenges of eating less.

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

It's a scar. I didn't expect it to look pretty!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am at 6 weeks post op and the scale is just not moving. It is very discouraging. My husband has to remind me that I just lost 57 pounds in 6 weeks. That is nothing to complain about. I guess I want to loose it all now! I am a very impatient person!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

no, but some do mention that they notice I have lost weight.