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

I originally heard of a program called Weight for Life for people over 100 pounds overweight. I went through all the beginning stages for having the surgery done. But ended up waiting for several years. Several of my patients were having the proceedure done and a girlfriend at work decided to have it done. From there I called Dr. Baker's office and started with his program. I was very pleased when I went to his program's initial information session. I found out that the surgery has come a long way and that the risks now where so minimal as compared to when I first started looking for help in the 1996.

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

Dr. Baker's staff was wonderful assisting with the process ad it all went smoothly. My advise. Follow their advise.

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

It was wonderful. Dr. Baker and staff are wonderful. They are to the point and very informational.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When I just kept getting heavier and heavier and my sugars were going sky high. BP was 160/100. I was a waiting time bomb to some serious health problems.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr. Baker helped me to decide. I needed the most permant surgery there was so I could not eat my way fat again.

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 was only afraid there would be complications. Dr. Baker's staff reassured me if I follow the directions and be in the best health possible prior to surgery. I started exercising and living the life prior. I did great. Only complication was opening stricture. I had to have a tiny proceedure out patient to open stomach opening. 5 minute outpatient proceedure. Only gave me a sore throat for a day.

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?

They were not happy at first. They gave me the "if you would just try harder and exercise you wouldn't need the surgery speal" After when I got thin they were very happy that I had made the decision.

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

My employer North Memorial was horrible about it. I couldn't get the 6 weeks off because of staffing so I got 4 weeks off. Way too soon to come back. Then I am not allowed to drink at my desk and I couldn't get to the break room for the sips that I needed to fluid. I got dehydrated and ended up with a weekend of fluids in the hospital 8weeks post op. I then quit there place and went to a facility that was understanding to my weight loss and they let me eat and drink when ever I needed.

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

Wonderful. I was up and walking shortly after surgery. I was there 2 days only and then home. I only brought my breathing machine and slippers with a robe. Felt great shortly after except for a bit of a tummy ache from the incision and a sore throat from the tube. Both were short lived.

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

I had an opening stricture that needed a quick inflation to re open the stomach opening. Only gave me a sore throat for a day. 5 minute outpatient proceedure.

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 dumped a lot after surgery. I had to only drink skim milk I was very easy to dump from any sugar or fats. This got better every day. I just kept my chin up and knew that these were the steps that needed to be taken to be a healthier skinier me. I just kept my thoughts happy. And I watched the pounds fade.

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

A slow process of eating. Drinking only at first until I switched to baby food. I had to stay on baby food for quite a while until I could learn to eat small amounts, and CHEW, CHEW, CHEW....or dump. BE PATIENT

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

20 minutes only.

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 couldn't eat anything for 8 weeks. Liquids only. Then baby food. Today I don't tolerate wheat now allergic- not from surgery but has happened since surgery, sugars, fats, sweets well at all. I can eat most things pretty well. I don't feel deprived. I had a brat yesterday and dumped 7 years later. Should have chewed better.

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

I was a bit weak the first few days. Then my energy came back. I had a lull there where I wasn't getting much calories and I was really tired. Now I do wonderful.

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

ALWAYS, B12, multi vits, calcium. Still need 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?

dumping was the worst at first, then I learned and that mostly has stopped except when I am stupid and forget. Then I still can dump. Sleep, muscle aches got horrible, and I lost a great deal of hair. Everything went away and I got smart and started taking my vitamins and suppliments as I was suppose to. Guess what....eat right, do as you are suppose to and the sx's go away.

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

Learning that food it not who I was. At first going places and only drinking liquids, then bringing my baby food. People still think that I will wither away and offer me food. And try to get you to just eat a small amount......If I listen it usually means dumping. Now I just say...sorry...I am a gastric patient and I cannot eat or drink something.

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

You need support and friends when times get tough just like any thing in life that you experience you need someone to talk to and help you feel better when you are feeling down or discourraged.

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

almost not there. I wear a 2 piece and you cannot even see it unless you are starring right at it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have times where my weight stopped loosing and I would get scared. Now when the scale moves even a little I watch every drop that goes in and increase my exercise.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES....when I was fat I noticed people thought they needed to tell me I was fat. Now people look at me not with discust but with a more want to know me and not criticize me.