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

I was surfing the net and came across it , I was inpressed , but I never thought it would be possible for me to have this surgery done

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

My insurance was great , I was expecting to fight them but , They approved my surgery in about a week and they keep checking in with me every other week to make sure everything was on track. And even called me after I got home from the hospital to make sure everything had gone ok .

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

It went fast , I Didnt get to see the surgeon until it was time to set a surgery date . But I had been thur all the other stuff so I was well informed about what was going to happen . My surgeon was so nice he ask if I was ready for this , Did I know what all the changes I was going to have to make , and just helped me resure myself that I had made the right choice . Then ask me when I wanted my surgery , I was just kidding when I told him the next day {that was on a Thursday } He said he was busy that day but could do it the next Tuesday . I think I almost fell out Of my chair I was expecting at least 6 months . But because of my type of insurance he was able to do my surgery .

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

i was afraid if I didnt do something I wouldnt live to see my Grandkids grow up .

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

my type of proceedure was the only one they offered at Scott & White

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 was very afraid of dying , but I had been heavy for a long time and knew if I didnt do something soon I wouldnt have a chance . I tell everyone who will listen the good out weighs the bad .

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 has been great , My mother inlaw had the same thing done in Jan. 2002 and I had mine in Sept. 2002 and my husband also had surgery on Oct 2002 My husband has been my greatest supporter .

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

My boss thought I was nuts , but was ok with it . I dont think he really got the Ieal what I was doing until I came back to work . I was out about 4 weeks .

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

My hospital stay was ok the Nurses were great . I was there about 3days . The most important this is take someone with you to help someone who cares enought to make you get up and walk the halls no matter how bad you hurt . Because its true the more you move the better it gets

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

No my surgery went fine .

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

I didnt have weeks to get ready , All I had was a few days So I had to run around getting everything together I had to come to work on Sunday tell my boss I was going on leave on Monday . I had to have all my pre op done on Monday and then be back at the hospital on tuesday at 4:30 am for surgery .

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

The first few day I was in some pain , but the more I moved the better I felt . I couldnt sleep in my bed for the first 2 week so I slep in a chair .

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

its about 75 miles from my place to the hospital , It was a pain in the neck but well worth the trips

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 it was brouth and jello { I hate Jello} the next week it was brouth and jello for 1 meal and 1 egg and a piece of toast . the next week it was soft protien and no more bread no drinking with meals and no snacking . and every few weeks after that i was able to add something cooked veggies , raw veggies next then fruit, I am almsot 8 months out and can finally start drinking with my meals still no bread

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

In the first week I did good to walk around the house and down the drive way . Next next week I was up to about 1/4 mile 2 times a day . then in about a month it was a mile 2 times a day now its 3 miles 2 times a day . Everyday 7 days a week

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

only flinstone's and tums 2 times a day and a b12 once a week

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 havent had any nausia or sleep disturbance's A little vomiting if I dont chew my food real good , No dumping at all . and very little hair loss . My hair loss started around my 5th month out but it was very little and new hair has already started to grow back . all in all it hasnt been bad

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

When they make you take the leak test , you have to drink this stuff before they can give you anything to make sure you dont have a leak in you pouch .

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

Yes they are great I try to go to the one in Temple every month .

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

its not as bad as I had expected I have very light skin and scare very easly . But I can live with the scar my grandson calls it my zipper

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am at a plateau now .

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes people who wouldnt give me the time of day when I was fat are now talking to me .