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

I first heard about it many years ago as the stomache stapeling surgery and was apprehensive due to the people i knew that had it having to return for more surgeries when the staples came out or they were gaining back the weight, later when their were more famous people doing it and talking about the better methods and successes, it began to seem like a light at the end of the tunnel 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 was fortunate that health partners approved me the first time around with no hassles. Dr Johnson's office handled all the paperwork, all I haddd to do was wait to hear and it was only a week until I found out. And the insurance company covered everything. I would reccomend them to anyone.

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

It was fine , Dr Johnson took his time to explain things to me and to let me ask any questions that I might have had. H e is incredibully busy, but yet he still takes his time and he is a very kind, friendly man. I wouls suggest anyone meeting with thier surgeon the first time, read the surgery manual and right down any questions or concerns they may be having. And if the Dr doesn't seem to want to take a little time with them , they may want to think about another Dr. I would have.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was not being hired anywhere, I was tired all the time, I couldn't walk very far without being in pain, and out of breath. I had to get a handicap parking card to go to the store otherwise I was exhausted from just getting from the car to the door and I was only 36 years old. Plus, people always stared at me as though I were a circus freak. I felt it was either change these things and live or go drag a coffin to the cemetary, and wait to die, because I was eating myself to death.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Actually due to my physical build, weight, and scars from a previous gallbladder laproscopic surgery, Dr Johnson felt it would be best to do an open rny, thatway if complications occurred, I would not have to be cut twice or endure an even longer time in 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 personally did not have a fear of death, I was annoited and prayed over from my whole church and had complete and utter trust that Jesus would see me through this surgery, I belive there are things that He want's me to do with this life, which I wasn't living only merely existing, and if I had died I knew where I was going so there was no fear. Another thing is Dr Johnson and his partner Dr Baker are the best surgeons in Minnesota for this surgery and possibly the whole U.S.A. I felt I could'nt lose- except some weight ha ha !

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?

I think initially there was some concern, but my mother and sister are both in the process of doing the very same thing so, our whole family has become well informed and supportive, even my father will go grocery shopping and read labels trying to find the most protien laden non sugared=processed or greased food. They tried not to eat around me right after surgery until I assurred them I wasn't hungry or tempted then they could relax a little I qam almost 7 wks p-op so we all eat together. I just have small amounts

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

I was and still am currently unemployed.

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

It wasn't bad at all the hospital I was in has a floor just for gastric-bypass patients, so I was with peers and very caring nursing staff. I was in for 2 days, went home the evening of the 2nd day, I would say the most important would be comfortable Jammies and slippers, cause you will be doing alot of hall walking, you are given gaols to meet each day, as well as showers, and water requirements as well and female patients would want to bring supplies, because most womens monthly friend arrives right after surgery.

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

no I was able to drink right away and my incision healed right up, no infections or anything, the only thing was because of my huge hanging abdomen it was painful to walk upright because it pulled on the incision, but I had to walk anyway so I was given this sort of girdle thing which is called a binder that wraps around you to help.

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

The first week I was really sore and kinda weepy like what have I done?? I would get chills and huddle in a blanket like a junky when I smelled food cooking, but each week has gotten better and better! What helped me during these times was praying, talking about it to family and writing in my Journal, I knew I was not physically hungry this was just like psychological torment that I had to deal with, I had been there before when I went cold turkey off alchol then drugs then eventually cigarettes, it was another vice to quit.

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

expect that they will be in pain the first week, that there will be some food withdrawal issues, and then they will start to feel energetic around to 3-4 wks p-op and that they are gonna want to go out and do more, and that around this time soup will be getting old. 5wks get to start solid foods some vomiting may happen a few times till they figure out what they can and cannot tolerate, my advice keep it simple at first, also I went through some major hormone dumping. wks 2-4 I was grouchy for no apparant reason.

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

I had to travel almost 1 and a half hours which is kinda a drag and painful the day I went home, I try to plan things like going to the Sams club or fabric store that is over there so it doesn't seem so annoying to have to go there, I do wish that they would open up a place at the hospital here though. I t didn't really affect after care I've only had to go 2 time so far 1 wk p-op and 5wks p-0p now I don't go back until July for 3 mo p-op.

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 was allowed creamed soups 7 days after surgery, before that it was liquid. I tolerated cream of chicken and onion fine but could'nt tolerate cream of potato(strained of course) it was too greasy, could have a little cottage cheese and mash potato 4wks p-op also carnation instant no sugar added with skim milk about 2-4 ozs then at 5 wks I was ion solids I have mostly been able to tolerate cheeses, and peanut butter on a 1/4 piece of toast in the morning with a tbs of poached egg. I can eat chicken and tuna and some ground beef cannot yet tolerate beef or pork in any other forms i have vomited from these the first 2 times I ate eggs I was also sick but I can tolerate ff yogurt and also eat deli turkey refried beans ff, veggie chili and turkey chili, I try to mostly stick with protien and I have refused to try protien bars and shakes because my thinking is if I am doing so well with tolerating real high protien and calcium rich foods why go processed? I have found every week I am able to try and tolerate more things and last week I was ill after eating hamburger but tried it again today and am fine, not sure if I will try pork or steak again yet maybe in a few more months.

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

The first few days after surgery I didn't do too much but walk around my house a few times a day because it was painful, I did go to church the sunday after surgery I did not wnat to miss the Easter service, but every day since I have been out walking in the neighborhood, going to wallmart or the grocery store and walking all around. I was cleared last week to begin to use arm weights again. I am in no way an athlete all though I bought golf clubs last week and intend to learn which I would never of been able to walk the course in the past, I just seem to have alot more get up and go then ever before and I don't mind having to park farther away anymore .

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

At 5 wks I began vitamin regiment of 2 Flintstones or comparable multi vitamins with iron in the morning with water and 2 sublingual vitamin b-12 complexes of 500 mgs I take about half and hour in the am with 24 ozs of water for these four vitamins before I even eat brkf or shower so I make sure to getr these important vitamins and important water in me. then around 2 in the afternoon after lunch or a snack I take 2 caltrate calcium 600 mg chewable tablets.

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?

none really I haven't dumped yet, thank God! I sleep at night, my hair is still thick although I am only 7 weeks P-op and am told this may happen between 3-6mos out I have been vomiting this last three weeks a bit from trying to eat different things, but it has not been very severe, again praise God!

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

The first couple of weeks after surgery when I was having the psychological withdrawal from food, otherwise I would have to say the running around and jumping through hoops to get the process going i-e psych evals, drs, dieticians, and then once I was approved I still had to go see a dietician every 2 wks and lose 45 pounds before surgery and then when all that was said and done I had to wait four long months after getting my date to have the surgery, and in those four months you have so many doubts and concerns that bug you plus losing and keeping the weight off. But right now I would probably do it all over again.

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

I have my family, friends and whole church congregation so I am very blessed, This is so important to me because so many people are interested in my progress and results this really helps me want to succeed plus there is an images support group here in Buffalo, MN that is really great although I haven't made it yet in person. every thing you have helping you go the right direction and making you feel good about yourself will make you have lifelong success.

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

My scar runs from above my belly button to below my breastbone, this is exactly what my doctor told me it would be. it has already gotten shorter though with healing and loss of some of my tummy.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none yet

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not really, except there are a couple of people at church who never paid much attention to me that now do maybe because they are glad I am finally trying to change this thing in my life . I don't know though, but I have enjoyed the attention because it has been positive.