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

televison commercials -didn't think my insurance would pay-uneasy-exrtemely risky-costly

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

i was elited when i was approved it was the light at the end of a very long tunnel

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

ASk all the questions you can-If you have someone to go with you take them they might ask something you didn't plus they can get a better prospective-if you don't have a spouse/or significant other take a friend or family member it will ease your wait for approval and give you some one to talk to

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

It seemed to good to be true - it didn't seem so risky after it was all explained-My surgeon and everyone at BTC made me feel so comfortable that I knew it was the right decison for me

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

This procedure Roux-en-Y-Gastric Exclusion- seem the best because of its long-term sucess

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?

Trust your surgeon and trust that you are in God's hands- neither of them would let you down

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?

some uderstood because they knew I had dealt with it all my life- others were shocked-some told horror stories of people they knew- the last two came around when I showed them the sucess of my procedure and the results were long term--if they didn't come around I just ask them to "not to take the wind out of my sails"-- After all I am the one that has to live with it not them PoST_OP- I have had no problems with anyone only good comments and support- more people know now and I realy don't care who does -My whole attitude has changed on who lnows- I have more confideince and self-esteem and any negative remarks I am sure I could just brush offand still fell confident in my decison-I have no regrets except that I should have done this sooner!!!!

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

I am not telling my supervisor-the personal dept. is the only one to know and it is strictly confidental Post op- the nurse at work ask me about it and was very supportive- she had two of her family members get it done too it is amazing how many people know of someone who had this surgery done-it is becoming more acceptable in society.

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 -checked in on 2/8/00 and was released on 2/11/00- I took a body pillow with me and it was the greatest thing -it really helped since i was a stomach sleeper and had to lay on my side or back. I could lean against this pillow for support and it helped a great deal for the trip home. Lip balm is a must too since the hospital is so dry. The next thing is a litle personal but it was very hard to wipe yourself after surgery because your stomach is so swollen and a friend suggested to take hygiene wipes and kitchen tongs- believe me it sounds sily but you wil need this.

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

no complications at all

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

You will experience several different emotions and it can be rough- It all passes though- I hit a plataue three weeks out and that brought on depression and wondering if it was going to work- it passes and the pounds start coming off again. I just kept reminding myself that i hadn't lost anything in the pst two years so i was doing better and it was pounds that were gone forever

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

There can be some strange pains in different parts of your body- muscle aches and such. It is common after major surgery and goes aaway as fast as it comes. It was not bad pain just nagging. I would take tylonyl or a pill my doc prescribed and the pain wold go away. You can also go through depression for no reason - it can be brought on by the after effects of the pain meds- it too will pass

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

I traveled three hours for surgey -it did not effect my aftercare because the center had a toll free number where I could talk to the surgeon-nurse or nutrioist anytime- i had to return two weeks&6 weeks post-op and then again at three monthsand 6 months- I then will return at yearly intervals. They offer support grops in my area as well.

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.

The first week was clear liquids only then full liquids for two weeks followed by pureed and soft foods till 6 weeks . I can no longer have high sugar or fat foods- grease is out of the question. I t is amazing how i don't miss it- I was a big soda drinker before and haven't even craved it at al. I also find it amazing how little food your body needs to remain healthy. It makes you realize how much you were overeating.

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

I started walking right away- I was doing great from the start and feel that this is what made my healing go so fast- I try to get in a walk at least 5 out of 7 days as my work schedule allows. I am also starting water aerobics classes.

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

I take a vitamin supplement everyday and also drink at least one protien shake and try to get the rest of my protien from food. Some days I need to drink an extra shake to attain my protien goal. It does take some work to get that in.

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?

The thing I found the worst was the food commercials on t.v. - when they showed the gresy things it made me sick. Food is a trial and error thing and I am sure that it will be for some time to come. It iss best to eat slow and small amounts until you realize what settles with you and what doesn't. Everyone will be different- for examole- i have no problem with spicy(hot) foods but many others that i talk to do.

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

i have this web site as well as a large circle of friends that I correspond with and find that it is very helpful. I have also met five people in my area whom i speak to and remain in contact with as a support as well- we try to get together as informal as possible as a group or as individuals

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

It was long-10 1/2 inches- but it is very clean and skinny so it doesn't bother me as much as I thought it would- it is not near as bad as you imagine

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I plataued at one moth out and stayed there for 6 days- i couldn't understand why and had periods offf depression and anxiety- everyone kept telling me it was normal and that it would pass but i still worried and they were right it did pass and the pounds started to come off againn-one of those things easier said than done-but it will pass

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

people are noticing the loss i notice clothes getting loosier-and i know my self confiedence is better- i am not sure if they are treating me different because of the weight or the attitude change- i am a lot happier and it is easier to get along with a happier person