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

A friend told me that she used to be over weight and how she finally lost the weight, for good. I spent time talking to her and starting to look into this procedure and knew that this was it 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 feel very blessed that I had no problems getting approval. I feel that because of my age, weight and physical problems, I was approved quicker. I had full support from my Primary Dr as well as my orthopedic Dr's that agreed that, unless I lost weight, NOW, I was looking at a double knee replacement. This was not an option for me as I am 36 now and they have not perfected it enough, YET! ADVICE- PRAY! Talk to your primary Dr, discuss your health problems and figure out what good could come from loosing weight.

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

I cried like I had never cried before before I could open the door to the office! I am so thankful that I had a friend who had gone through this before, who went with me. She helped me so much. I went in, and after talking to the Dr's asst, the Dr came in and we just talked. He looked over my papers and just smiled. He drew pictures of each type of procedure and which one he would recomment for me and why. He saw my hurt, both physical and emotional. I went in with 2 pages of questions for him. He allowed me to get through each one tears and all. Dr. Dempsey is a God send!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I knew that this was the way to go for me. I had tried it all and spent $1000's of dollars trying and I HAD TO GET THE WEIGHT OFF! I knew that I would have a harder time getting through a knee replacement surgery with so much weight also. I prayed and knew that this was what I was to do.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I believed that my Dr knew best. I wanted to have the surgery open and he agreed and felt very comfortable with that decision.

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?

If you believe that Jesus Died on the cross for YOU and have asked HIM for forgivness, and live for him daily, you have no fear of dying. I knew that my life was in God's hands and I had so many friends & Family praying, not only for me, but for the Dr and his asst's, I knew that it would be ok!

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 a little concerned at first, but when they realized that I had done the reschearch, they were very supportive. My one sister came to help me out after being realeased from the hospital and I also had many friends and family who came by to help out very often! Thank God!

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

I work for 2 dr's and talked to them before the final decision was made. They saw my pain, both emotional and physical, and were 100% supportive. I was given an entire moth off work and even when it was time to come back to work, they have helped out so much. I am so very thankful for them!

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 7 days. the first 3 were spent in ICU and then I was moved to a regular room. I had some wonderful nurses and they were all very helpful. Bring a robe, you will want to walk around and will not want to flash everyone! :) you might want to bring your own toothbrush and hairbrush, the first time you look in the mirror, it might scare you, but it gets better! I promise! Don't worry, you will be able to wipe your own behind in a few days!

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

no, thank God! Everything went wonderful!

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

WOW, the day I got my surgery date, I cried. I knew it was finally going to happen. My life was going to change for ever. I got very excited and had many days of happy and I did have a few days of "nerve cries" but I talked to friends and people in my support group, it was very normal, everything I was feeling and I knew it was going to be ok! It sure helps to know that your in God's will!

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

OUCH, it hurts to sit this way, give me a pillow, do I have to get up again? Just a few thoughts that come to mind. Have alot, I mean at least 5 pillows in your bed when you get home from the hospital. I had a very hard time sleeping for about 4 weeks after surgery. I talked to my nurse every other day and cried cause I couldn't sleep. It's ok! I tried different positions, side to side, and more pillows under my head, I got up many nights and sat in my rocker recliner, and finally got so tired that I would eventually dose off for a couple hours. It's ok! I am now sleeping much better. I have my pillows on each side and try to sleep more on a side than my back.

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

my hospital was only about 20 min from my house. It was always close and I was also approved for a few days of home care from a visting nurse that was very helpful.

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 really had to force myself to eat when I got home from the hospital. I knew I had to eat even if it was soup or liquids. I got really burned out on jello and broth in the hospital and I never want to drink apple juice again :) Once I got to the 3rd week, I was eating things like pudding, thicker soups, no chunks, and that helped. Once I got to my 4th week, I was allowed to start on the soft/purreed foods, YEA! I could have some tuna, yougart, sugar free fudge pops, I was in heaven. I finally got back into cottage cheese also even though I have to mix it with the tuna, but thats ok too.

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

very slow. Until I had my G-tube removed, I was not in the mood to move much. I did go out with my sister a few times, like one trip a day, and we even went to a movie. I was walking well, but using a cane due to the fact that my knee was still giving out a little.

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

I am to take 2 childrens chewable vitamins, 4 tums, chewable, b-12, so far.

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 was nausious for about 4 weeks after due to the g-tube in my left side. but when that was finally removed, I started feeling much better. I get a little sick to my stomach when I eat too fast, this is a problem I have to work on every day and every meal!

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

I woke up for the first time as I was taken from surgery. The pain was horrible! I felt every bump and crack in the tile. I knew I would be given pain meds but couldn't wait to get them increased! It did get better! There has to be some pain right, nothing happens in this world without some pain!

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

If there is anything that you get from this, it should be this. Find a support group before you have surgery. It is the most important thing to do! I started going to meetings about 5 months before my actual date of surgery. They are the best! I can talk to them about anything and someone there has had that problem or pain. This is the most important thing!

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

I have one scar from my breast bone (right between my breasts) to right above my belly button. I knew it would be something like this, but it looks great!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none as of yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I am often asked if I need to sit down or take a break. but the best is the compliments that they can see the weight falling off weekly! Thank You God!