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

From my doctor back in 1999. It scared the heck out of me. It was too life changing and I didn't think I could do that.

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

I was one of the fortunate ones. I am on Medicare as I am disabled and had no problems meeting their requirements. But my best advice is not to get depressed, if this is what you truely want for yourself, and believe me it is all worth it, then have patients if it's ment to be it will be and as long as you meet your insurance companies requirements you'll be all set. And if your insurance won't approve you, look for other ways. Never give up, like my surgeon, most will work out a financial plan with you. After all a commited surgeon like mine will want you to be healthy and have a very long happy life.

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

My first visit I was excited and scared. Worried he would take one look at me and my paperwork, then say I won't help you. But after attending his seminar I really knew deep down that would not happen. Have questions written down to ask your surgeon, to me that is most important working with any doctor. I do that even with my family physician, just so I don't forget to ask him something.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

It was a no brainer for me. It was either have this surgery and add 20+ years onto my life or get my will written, cause I would not have lived but another year maybe two.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After much research and I would suggest that to anyone looking into gastric bypass, and my surgeons recommindation was to have the RNY.

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?

WIth any type of major surgery there are risks of death or complications. The best advice I can offer is if there is a chance to live a healthier longer life, especially when you know if things say the way they are your going to die in a year or so anyway, then why not take the risk. This surgery has come a long way from when they started doing in many years ago. I think as long as you've done your research and your happy with your doctor then you will be just fine. I was more excited then I can say, then scared right before I went into surgery. To have a chance at a better life was well worth the risk for me.

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

My stay was awesome. The entire staff at Mercy Medical in Muskegon, MI were simply amazing. I was there 2 1/2 days, had no complications and every department I was in, every person I cam in contact with, right down to the custodial department were wonderful. All I took with me is my toiletries and cell phone. They provided everything else I needed for my short stay.

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

No, none what so ever.

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

Oh I was so excited, but it took me three months and the anxiety was enormous, that I won't lie about. I just wanted to get it done and move on with my new life. I coped by keeping busy, I had joined a health club in May and didn't have the surgery until Nov. 27th. I was on oxygen for my COPD and Obesity, 24/7. By the time I had my surgery I was only on it at night time, when I worked out and anytime I was out of the house. I didn't need it just sitting around though. After my surgery I was completly off oxygen at about 1 1/2 weeks. And I'm still off of it after 6 months and a loss of 91 pounds.

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

I think for me the first week was the hardest. I came home with the drainage port in yet until my first doctors visit, which was less then a week from the day I had surgery. Other then that I felt great, just had a sore left side, but the surgeon warned me that, that was the side he worked on and it would be sore for awhile. I bouce back from all surgeries I've had quite well, so for me it was easy. Wasn't hungry at all, hardest thing was getting in my required amounts of water and protein, but I did it. They don't expect you to be able to right off the bat, but in time you do.

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

One hour there and back and no so far it hasn't affected my aftercare. Although with the gas prices up as high as they are I worry somedays, but now I don't need to go back nearly as much as I did at first.

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.

SUGAR!! It's a big no no now. I use splenda as a subsitute and was even 2 years prior to my surgery. I still can not eat rice, just comes right back up. But for the most part being 6 months out I can eat just about everything, just in much smaller amounts. Off limit foods are sugers, anything high in startches, soda pop, because the carbination witll expand your new tummy. First and formost you have to treat your new tummy just like a newborns tummy, liquids first, then soft foods right up to solids.

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

The first 2 week I didn't do much. Was given a 10 pound lifting limit for the first 2 weeks. But after the first week I noticed my energy levels starting to increase and the more protein and water I was able to get into me, up to my daily limit the more enegy I had.

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

I take Calcium 2x daily, a multi-vitamin 2x daily and B-12 1000 mg. daily. That's it and so far my labs have been good so I haven't had the need to add any others or increase what I am taking. But these are the ones you will be ob the rest of your life anyway.

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'd say for me the hair loss has been the worse, but not nearly as bad as others I have seen. The nausea was minimal, I think I took a pill for the nausia 2 times since I had my surgery. I've dumped a couple of times, but that was due to to dry of meat. You do that a couple of times and you'll be more careful of what you eat and how you cook. As for the hair loss I got a new shorter hair style that I just love and goes well with my thinning face. SOme women I know have had to purchase wigs until their hair grows back and it will. Mine just thinned out, luckely I had a very thick head of hair to start with. I'm 6 months out and I don't think I'm losing anymore, in fact I can now see some new growth.

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

Honestly I've had such a positive attitude and am a pretty upbeat person that I can honestly say the worst part was having the tubing removed from the port hole in my tummy. It basically winded me more then anything. But all in all I'd do it again, it's been the best thing I've ever done for myself and I'm loving life for the first time in my entire life.

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

I belong to a local support group that I actually helped start up. It's been great. Where some meet once a month, we meet weekly. I look forward to each and every meeting and have made some special bonds with those in it with me. It's extremly important to be with others that have gone through what you have. We share so many things that has helped in so many ways. We also share clothes, as we are all at different stages. It's been great.

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

My scares are almost none exsistant. I think they would have faded sooner had my surgen not used staples, cause I found out my skin does not like them. But all in all it's better then I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I've had a few and it does get discouraging, but it's going to happen and you get through them. Just get your excersie in, that is most important. Exersise, protein and water.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES! Everyone that knows me and what I have gone through over the past few years has been very supportive and are always saying how great I look. I'm dating again and frankly have never had so many men want me. It's awesome.