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

I worked at a VA hospital and the surgery was done there on all patients, psych patients with all problems. I didn't think that was a good idea. I saw Carly Simmon on a talk show and she was talking about her surgery. I thought that I couldn't have that done. That looked like a drastic step to take. I asked my family doctor about it and he said I didn't need to have that done. I was only 274 pounds at the time.

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

I didn't have any problems getting approval. I got my approval in about 4 hours.

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

The meeting was very informational. I left knowing that I would have the surgery and that Dr. Brathewaite would do it.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Having had back surgery and having 2 more hernitated disc. And diabetes, high blood pressure and a very bad gastric reflux, I thought it was time. I didn't want to start getting the problems from diabetes.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I thought I would have to have the open surgery, but Dr. Brathwaite decided to try the lap and it worked.

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 thought I might have a wound infection. I was afraid that I might have to have a NG tube. I was also afraid that I would leave my children without a parent. Take a deep breath and leave it up to God.

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 son thought that I was making a bad decision and that I should just stop eating. My older daughter didn't think I should have it, but she is there for me. She was at the hospital and took me to her house for couple of days. My youger daughter was afraid I was going to die. She would watch me all of the time. She has been here for me after surgery.

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

I am on disablity

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

I was put on a floor that know about gastric bypass surgery. I was in for 5 days.

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

NO

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 feel full all of the time. Eating anything but clear liquids makes me feel sick. I had to go to the ER 7 days postop. I was vomiting all day and having this awful pain in my stomach. The medication that my surgeon ordered for me didn't work. The resident that worked with my surgeon, ordered something that helped alot.

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

I have been having fullness and pain since leaving the hospital. I don't think I have lost a pound.

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

20 minutes away

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.

Anything clear liquids was fine. Anything else, I got sick.

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

I was fine.

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

Protein drinks and chewable adult vitamins.

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, vomiting still having it.

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

the pain meds

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

none right now

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

I have 5 little scars. I expected to have one large scar, so this is fine.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

have not lost a pound

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

no