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

My beautician told me about a client who had the surgery. I began to wonder if this was for me. I also had a friend who had success too. Initially I thought I could diet and it be enough. I failed at diets.

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

Be patient and keep trying. Talk to your insurance people. Stay active in the process. Don't give up. Write letters have your Dr document all your weight gains and have him write letters to get insurance approval. NEVER settle for rejection! Dr. Suggs and Parkway Medical hospital were able to get the approval I needed through all the documented health issues!

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

Dr. Suggs answered all my questions from how the procedure was done to what my recovery and life changing diet would be afterwards. Having 7 months of visits with the nutritionist was helpful as well. Keeping a diary of foods I ate. This is a tool you are being given use it wisely. I had been to a seminar with another weight loss surgeon and knew what to expect. People need to ask any question they might have about weight loss and attend support groups following your surgery is important.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted more to life than to be confined to a chair or bed the rest of my life. When I couldn't walk across the floor without getting a breath it was a wake up call that I need desperately to have something done! AND RIGHT THEN!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My health issues with reflux decided which procedure would be more successful for me. My Dr. decided for me. I took his advice and we proceeded to have surgery.

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 a little anxious because I had read and researched what I would have done. As with any surgery there are risk. Which is greater to have this surgery or be trapped in an obese body with many health issues.? I took the risk. I have a great support too, from my husband and family. I attend a monthly weight loss support group ! They are great! I would tell anyone who are fearful, attend support group meetings, ask questions, and talk to their dr. Take the risk its well worth the life after surgery. I am down 100 pounds from a year ago. I don't want to ever look back!

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 daughter in law cried when I told my family. But she is in the medical field and knew the risk. I didn't tell anyone else till after the surgery. Many were shocked. now they see me a year out they are happy for me. I would not change how I informed them. I think you have to decide what is best for you and just do it!

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

I didn't tell them directly I did say my dr. advised me to have reflux surgery and a hernia repair which is what I had. The results were that my stomach was stapled, my reflux was repaired and a hernia was taken care of. I was off work for 1 week. I wished now it would have been longer. My work was light so it helped I could sit when I didn't feel well and walk at other times.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

The feelings I had were overwhelming! I felt these people shared a limited amount of information. I was glad I had attended the seminar 9 years ago. It was more informative. I was glad I could go again and again till I felt more comfortable with what I was about to have done.!

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

My hospital stay was 24 hours. Most of the time I was in a lot of pain from the anesthesia. Thank goodness for IV pain meds. I was able to walk and be more comfortable! I took my tooth brush and comb for my hair. The rest was provided. My stay was brief!

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

None!

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 felt tired as my body was loosing weight. I took my vitamins and tried to get the proteins each day I needed. The small amounts of food were mind boggling to see how much less I could really eat and survive! Mentally I felt great! there were some emotional moments. I think hormones have to re-regulate after surgery. If you need to cry, Cry. Breathe, life is getting better!

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

Have someone who knows how to prepare small portions of what you can eat! You will not want to see or smell food PERIOD! Buy in SMALL amounts. They will seem like leftovers multiply! Fix small amounts. Drink in between meals and snacks. Drink your water! Eat your protein, Take you vitamins as your dr had instructed you. REST! REST ! REST! Do walk and walk more as you are feeling better. Don't rush your healing.! The weight will come off. It wasn't put on in one day so don't expect it to fall off in 24hours. Give yourself a good year. Keep positive thoughts. Think of the goal you have set for yourself. Everyday is new. We try again, and again!

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

25 miles! It made aftercare very successful.

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 began with all liquids. jello, broth, cream soups, pureed baby foods for the first month. Soft foods little by little till I can eat more solid kinds of foods after 4 months. You have to reintroduce solid foods back into your life. Its like with a baby. pureed, blended, the soft , then solids.! MEASURE Everything!! no more than 3 ounces for about the first month at a time. Gradually to 5 ounces at about 5 months. At 9 months I could eat solids and tolerate most foods. I am still learning at 11 months. I find beef is hard to digest. I eat mostly shrimp, fish, chicken. Limited on fried kinds of foods. Most are steamed, broiled of baked. I drink at least 1 protein drink a day.Sometimes 2 inbetween meals.

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

I walk! Started out by making it 100 footsteps. NOw I like to walk pretty much 20-45 minuets at a time. Still improving!

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

Bariatric kinds. Celebrate calcium plus 500, multi-vitamin and Unjury Protein drinks.

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?

Hair loss at about 6-7 months post op. I was not taking the correct vitamins. Correcting itself now. I had a wonderful hair dresser who worked miracles in cutting my hair to not show so much loss. I kept my hair I was losing in a zip bag. It totaled a gallon size. When I didn't stress so much it seemed to get better. Take your vitamins and eat your protein! I had 2 dumping episodes. That was enough to get my attention not to eat unhealthy food at 1 month post op. Still wonder if I didn't have a virus with the last one! Knowing what is going on helped. When I recognized the symptoms it helped to cope!

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

Waiting to have the procedure. It plays on your mind thinking ,did I make the right choice? Can I really live with this life changing event? Will I be able to do things I haven't done for years again? Will I be able to afford the right kinds of food necessary for this life change? All the answers to my questions are YES! My grocery bill is lots less so I can afford the best vitamins and protein drinks. I do feel so much better physically! I feel younger! I can live with this! I am worth every penny!

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

I attend a monthly weight loss support group where I am the leader. It makes me accountable! It is so much what I need from the members who share their journeys and pitfalls and success! We share recipies. We have a Facebook site too that we post. I am also in several other groups for weight loss support. I love to read and gain knowledge about more of these too!

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

I would like it to be less. I do scare and realize I am not 20! I didn't expect.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES! They want to be a success so they have befriended me now instead of snubbing me! HOw shallow they are! I was a success all along!