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

I have friends who have had this surgery when I lived in California until 1996. At that time I was not sure about it at all. When I reached 245lbs here in Tn. I made friends with this woman who had the surgery two and half years before by Dr. Birkitt and went from 300lbs to 130lbs.She looked great and I was real interested as I was having all these physical problems on top of emotional ones relating to my weight. I was so impressed with her and her story. I thought, hey that could be me in a year.She did it, I can too. It was then I decided to look into it and see if this was for me.

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

I really had no problem with my insurance company. Dr. Birkitt took care of the request and it went thru with no hitch. John Deere is awesome !!

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

I was very nervous not knowing what to expect. Dr. Birkitt on the other hand is so experienced he put me at ease quickly. He explained EVERYTHING to me. He went over the complications of obesity, the role of surgery. Nutritional and behavioral change,the types of operations andhich are best.Then he went over the risks the chances of risk and the treatments.He went over definitions of complications, what to expect in the hospital and what the expected results for me will be. He is very thorough. I think I should have written down all my questions before I got there . I like to be organized and that way all my questins that you can never remember at the time it is most crucial were answered. He gives you a pamphlet that explains everything he went over at the end of the first visit . I read and reread that and still do today.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I made my final decision after I had a session with the nutritionist. I have eaten anything I liked all my life then starved myself on every diet known to mankind. I was so tired of being at war with myself. Here was an operation that would get me off the ground and give me a fair chance to change and improve my life for good. The odds were good I felt. Everyone was against it...oh, taking the easy way out huh? That incensed me. Finally, here was a solution that had a means to the end and THEY were againstit. They didn't fight with theirselves everyday. They didn't buy their clothes in the BIG lady sections..they didn't know hw I felt deep inside and they never could. They didn't know my inner struggles.....I knew this was my answer.....Thank you God....

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

He told me the procedures, this one has the best success rate and the best weight loss ratio...I went for it

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 have fears about dying. I have a strong faith and I knew I wasn't long for this workd anyway the way I was going. For me this was the only choice and the best choice. You have to have faith in your surgeon and in the lord. I had both. I did all the right things about a will and living will and knew that I had taken care of business in the event anything went wrong. That alone alleviated some of the problems.

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 really concerned. They thought this was drastic and crazy and a few of them still do. My friends were very supportive. My family was too once they knew I was going through with it.I think if I knew about this sight I would have steered them all to it to try to have them understand through other people who went thru it what it entails and what is did for other people...the hope it gave them and the positive results...I think that would have been a tremendous help. I think we should let our surgeons know about this sight so they can recommend it to their patients for their own sakes and for their families to get a n undestanding of what this is all about.

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

My coworkers were very supportive of my decision and told me about other people they knew who had this type surgery. My supervisor just knew that this operation was detrimental to my well being.I have been out of work since June 5, 2000 and will go back to work part time for the first week or two July 17th, 2000. I think people know that if you are good at your job under the conditions of your health now what an even better employee they will have when you are confident and feeling better about yourself after surgery. It has been that way for me. I feel like the luckiest woman on earth. I really do.

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

My stay in the hospital was a mixed bag. The staff was either very knowledgeable about this kind of surgery or they knew very little. THe ones that knew very little were kind but didn't know what to do for me. The kitchen sent up big portions of pudding and jello and I didn't know I was not to eat it all. I did and got sick. No one knew to tell me and they were in my room alot. They were all kind and concerned and the staff and nursed who had this surgery performed ( and there were a good number of people) all came to visit to help me and make suggestions and tell me their stories which I really appreciated. I was in the hospital for 5 days. I brought a robe with me and slippers. You walk alot. I didn't care about anything else. All else I cared about was provided. If you use a special face soap bring 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?

At first I was so excited. I thought everyone else would be too. That wasn't so though. I at first let it get me down but then I had a talk with myself. This is my life and my body. I and I alone have seen it through every phase of my existence. It is for me to make a decision and for me to see it through. I walk in these shoes and I know how it feels to be fat, lethargic and have low or no self esteem. It was then I knew I had to do what I had to do. I ralized people cared and loved me to be concerned but I had the ultimate decision and they would have to conced to the idea or leave me alone. After that I was really feeling up. THen the death thoughts came. THe what ifs. Again I told myself, death could come at any time for anyone. The best thing I can do is be prepared period. So I had the living will witnessed that they gave me at the hospital and I made a Last Will and Testament and had that noterized as well. Now I was ready for anything at any time. when it is your time it will be your time and that is that. I was at peace with this now. Talking to the people I knew who supported my decision was very helpful and it calmed my fears. My Dr. was great on answering any questions so this helped too.

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

I was so happy to come home. Familiarty is wonderful. I thought the worst is over now. Well that wasn't exactly so. I have a husband who thinks if I Urinate at 6 in the morning I should drink a glass of water immediately. I have had trouble with gastritis from the get go and the pain is terrible. You just have to tell those around you that you appreciate their concern and helpfulness but you need to tqake care of your own needs . If you need their help is it alright for you to ask. It can be very nerve wracking with them hovering over you all the time. It was for me. I was glad when my husband went to work and I could moan if I wanted to. Sleeping was a problem. I flopped sort of to try and find a comfortable position on my back. This was a bother for the first 3 weeks, then I could sleep on my side with a pillow placed under my stomach ( a very soft feather pillow) knowing how to eat was a problem and I over did it a few times...that was awful. I guess it is called dumping syndrome of sorts. I could not move nor did I want to. It would last one hour and a half or more then I would feel okay again. My pouch would be irritated for the rest of the day and into the next. I coped with things and found the internet to give me a wealth of info as I didn't want to call my Dr. everytime something happend . It is a period of trial and error. don't be too hard on yourself or those around you. we are all novices when we start and must learn from the mistakes we make and trust the others who have been before us with their wisdom.

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

My Dr. is right here in town. I am 5 miles from him and from the hospital so this was not a problem for me.

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.

well so far I must say my sense of smell is keener then it was. Things that have a strong odor, sweet or spicy or whatever offends me. I don't like anything sweet now. I loved sweet stuff before but even my tea I put a little bit of sweet and low in it. I have problems with dairy products. They give me gas. It has been better in the last week. This is my 5th week.Non fat yogurt is easy to digest and I like that. I am eating soft foods and shrimp is a real treat.

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

My activity level started off slowly. I started walking in the hospital and commenced to do so after being home for a week. I would add 2 minutes a every third day to my walk. Now in my fifth week I walk for about 1/2 an hour in the evening. I am not as out of breath and I feel good.

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

My husband brought home some CVS brand chewables. They are huge. I hate them. I just bought Bugs Bunny Complete . They are smaller and I take 2 a day. They taste pretty good and have NO SUGAR. I tried Twin Labs liquid but the smell made me gag.

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 still get bouts of nausea. I take tums when I feel this way and they help and I get calcium. I never vomited but I have sleep problems. Getting a comfortable postion, my scar is healing and I am told it has fluid around the scaring and it hurts me to lie on it. I have had I think a mild case of dumping when I overate. I could not get up off the couch until it passed. I felt weak and drained and bloated. It took about 1 1/2 hours to go away. I just went with the flow. I need to be careful and listen to my stomach when it is full.I haven't had hair loss as yet. I hope I don't either!

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

The worst part for me was the tube in my nose. It stayed for two days. The IV lines. My veins are tiny and they would blow and the nurses God love them tried to be quick and gentle but it was agony for me. Third but not least,the xray they had to get of my stomach after sugery to see if there was any leakage. The stuff I had to suck up thru the straw was bitter and I thought I wanted to vomit...I didn't. It was painful and I was glad when that was over.

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

This website is my support system. I have met women in my area thru this site and we keep in contact. This is so important to me. I am grateful to everyone who has been so kind.

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

My scar is about 10 inches long. It is a bit longer then I expected it to be in all honesty. It is healing very well and I put vitamin e on it. It has helped it not be so fiery red .

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am at a plateau not. I have been at 205 for almost 2 weeks. I believe it is because I have stopped walking. I have trouble with this acid in my stomach that they now suspect is a bacterial type of ulcer so I am being referred to a gastroenterologist to correct this problem. It burns and even the meds they gave me for it help out only to a certain degree. I am also on a regular diet since Aug 4th but I am very picky about what I eat. I will start back walking this week no matter what.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Men are noticing me more. I have been asked out by a customer and actually hit on by my insurance agent. Incredible...I am still the same me, only 39 pounds lighter...People who know me say..gee I can see it in your face it is changing. One of our friends told me my face was getting to thin...people are so funny aren't they?