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

I found out about bariatric surgery by going on the internet and researching. A friend from high school were organizing our 25 year reunion class book and she started talking about the Kirkland clinic in Birmingham, Alabama and some of the clinic trials for arthritis. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and she told me about she went to the Kirkland clinic. I also found out that it had other offices that dealt with weight loss surgery. So I started to research about it and found out I really wanted this.

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

I have Medicare. They do not preapprove. The surgery is performed and the bill is sent to insurance.

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

My visit was embarrasing for me being so big and uncomfortable. I was 352 lbs. my consult and 326 the day of surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Health problems were getting to be too many and too much for my body to handle.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon really recommended what type surgery for me to have due to my size.

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 felt that the way I was living already was a death sentence for me and having surgery was going to be fine with faith and doing what my surgeon said to do.

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 told no-one except my kids. After the surgery my kids and family reacted like I was dyiing due to the weight coming off so quickly. I had to tell them after about 3 months.

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

I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and do not work due to joint damage and deterioration.

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

The first seminar I attended made me feel like I was in the right place. I felt like I belonged there and wanted to get rid of whatever amount of weight that I could. Keeping it off with the steroid meds for the RA was the only thing that I was worried about.

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

I was in the hospital 4 days due to my unability to walk after the surgery due to the RA. Bring chapstick for your dry lips, slippers for when you have to get up and constantly walk the halls, a pillow to take on the car ride home, and loose housecoat or big loose jogging attire.

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

No complications

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 was so glad and started exercising to get in the routine of walking, treadmill, trampoline and stopped eating breads, sweets and sodas. Most of all the chips and M & M that I enjoyed.

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

I was sore and it rained for 3 weeks. I exercised and walked in doors. Expect to be unable to eat or drink like you used to but I had no desire for food and when I smelled it I wanted to throw up. No bowel movements and constipation is possible. But you will not have any food inside you so bowel movements were slow coming. Soups like cream of chicken and potato were my heros.

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

I traveled about 8o miles for my surgery. Had no effect on my aftercare.

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 6 weeks were mostly pureed, baby food, or mushy foods without fat and water and crystal light.

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

Low energy but did what I was suppose to do like exercise as much as I can.

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

I take a multi vitamin 2 times a day. I take calcium citrate 2 times a day. D-3 3 times a day.

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?

Nausea was not a problem until I would pass a fast food place and the smell of the food made me sick.

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

I had no problems with the surgery, and today 1-16-2011 I would do it over again if I had the approval.

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

After surgery I had support from members of my surgeons monthly meetings. I also attended groups where I lived. That after a while got old and folks stopped coming and that caused a big problem with support.

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

My scars are small and barely see them.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Plateaus I never had much but sticking to the routine of eating healthy and staying on track became a bad thing for me after the 4th year post-op.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

After the first few months people did but now it is old news and with some weight put back on no-one notices you but the excess pounds put back on. Especially from those who knew I had the surgery.