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

A golfer on t.v. had bariatric surgery and she talked about it candidly on t.v. in a interview and that was the first time i had heard anything about WLS. My initial impression was that I could lose a large amount of my weight fairly quickly and it looks like I can be healthy for the rest of my life.

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

I actually went to a seminar/support group just to hear what side effects and what could and could not happen. From that meeting I filled out the paper work and my doctor had told me to call and ask my insurance company 2 simple questions. Does my insurance cover Bariatric Surgery? and do you cover my hospital's name? That was it and get the person you speak to the time date and any record number you can take down. And the rest went through my doctor office's hands. Approved first time! Thank GOD!

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

My first visit with my Surgeon went pretty fast. I asked all the questions I had written down he told me the basics about time and when and if I had any other questions to please call the office. Writedown EVERY question you have and never be afraid to ask anything. They are human too..

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My weight spiraling out of control and the way my body felt at the end of a busy day at work. i was so tired of it.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted and needed a vast majority of weight to come off and for me more thatn 150 lbs was more meant to have gastric bypass not the band. For me banding was leaning towards those that needed 50-75 lbs off.

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 had lots of fears. But I am a firm believer in GOD and so all my worries and fears had to be given to him. I have relatives that dont believe and they told me that even when someone doesn't believe in God they have to give those fears, and doubts and concerns to someone. So I say talk to someone you are close to and WRITE all those fears or concerns down on a piece of paper. Get it all of your chest before you go into the operating room. Be clear minded and take deep breaths. It will all be okay.

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 friends and family were not happy campers. they stated this was the easy way out. WOW if they only know how had it is to sit and wacth your family chow down on one of your favorit foods that you can not even touch. Now after the surgery they are all very supportive and understanding most of my close family members have even sat in on some of my support group meetings. I love them all for that. Its very important to me for my family to understand why this decision as made. For once it was about me and for me!

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

I was out of work for about a week. my employer was great they were completely understanding. I actually ended up sick at my 1 month mark and in the hospital and at my 2 month mark too had to stay home. And I am blessed that I have an employer that is very understanding. i told my employer everything and was very honest with them.

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

My stay was quiet and room all to myself. I was in the hospital for two nights three total days. Most important to bring is toothbrush, toothpaste, pillows, comfortable gown, slippers and a nice pair of clean loose simple to put on clothes to go home in.

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

I had one complication in surgery and it was the last incision near my belly button was bruised really bad. i asked my doctor and he told me it was becasue i had hard abdominal wal that he had to literally hammer his way through the incision he had made near my belly button. So it took a little more time to get in he said.. LOL rock hard abs yeah right not yet!!!

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 recieved my surgery date less than 1 week after I was approved due to aa cancellation. I was ecstatic! more than Excited i ran around with the biggest smile on my face for that week. No anxiety I had researched it for five years and finally the time had come and I felt I was truly ready for the surgery..

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

I didn't want to eat anything, I was tired/ exhausted and showers were a chore. Dont expect to run a marathon be calm and let your body heal. Get help form a loved one. Dont pickup things that are heavy including animals. I tried it was all bad. My week I had already prpared the liquified foods i was set to eat but I didn't eat much and dont be scared if you dont eat a lot just be sure to get liquids into you.

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

i traveled less that 5 miles. I wanted to have it here in Monterey, CA where I lived just in case there were complications I wanted to make sure I had my doctor next to me. I know lots of patients that went to Fresno and that is 2 hrs away i am glad I didn't do that because I had lots of problems 1month and 2 months after.

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.

No solid anything!! water barly stayed down and tea became my best friend with a little splenda. pureed lentil soups and pureed black bean soups were my staples and it was maybe a 1/4 cup a meal. No drinks with food I tried and failed so many times. NO liquids with food force yourself to understand this. It is very important.Now i can eat solid foods 2 months out but they still really need to be chewed up WELL!!

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

After surgery for the last month in a half I have been so tires, weak, exhusted, crampy, dizzy, nasueas. and so many other bad things that don't make you feel well at all. But since the last couple weeks I have really felt a lot better. Only to find out that I felt that wasy because i was b1 deficient and my phosphorous levels were low in my body.

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

flinstones muti to start with b-12, calcium, iron and now b1 and phosphorous and Protein Drinks to fill the voids.

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?

1 and a half months I was nauseas, vomiting, exhausted, and had a lot of dumping syndrom and I wouldn't even have eaten anything. Acid was coming up and out. My body was weak and tired all the time Showers would make me dizzy and I passed out once. I coped by calling my doctor and asking him what was wrong with me and bloodwork proved that I was deficiant in b1 and phosphorous. I also had become severly dehydrated twice in the first two months. NOthing would stay down.

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

The first 1 1/2 months so far I have felt so amazing and already 10x better.

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

Every month we have a great group of people that meet up a CHOMP hospital. I truly need these people at all diffrent stages they help me undertand what I am going through so that I am not the only one. Everyone needs to go to a support group becuase we were all addicted to FOOD and some of us my take our addictive personalities to something ohter than food and we need to talk to poeple about that.

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

My scars are exactly what I expected they are healed but still red as I shrink I am very sure with time they will look normal again.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had no plateu's so far in my surgery but it has only been two months. so daily it's close to 1 pund lost daily.. It is exciting ang scary at the same time that it is coming off so fast. And now I do eat.. But lots of protein and water...

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No no one treats me diffrently just yet maybe with more time they may.