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

I watched NBC's Today when Al Roecker had his surgery and watched him go down. That is when I started asking my Orthopedic and PCP about it and started doing research on line and found ObesityHelp.com.

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

I started going to Dr. Snyder about the time that he was moving his office and changing hospitals. I had all my test done and faxed into his office, but somhow, none of my reports got in. I kinda fell through the cracks with the office staff. I finally called and spoke with the Insurance person in the office and she had me bring the reports to her and I had a date within less than a week and surgery within 2 weeks. I suggest that you get all your test done before you go to your initial appointment with the surgeon, Then it seems to be smoother sailing from there,

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

My first visit was very informative and upfront. I know it would have been even better if he had all the results of my test at the time. It would have saved him and Me both allot of headaches and time. You need to be upfront and honest with the doctor. Make a list of questions and take them with you to the appointment. This is not only helpful for you, but lets the Doctor know that you have done your homework and your not going into this blindfolded.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My husband and I took our oldest grandson to Yellowstone the summer before. I sat on allot of park benches and rocks and read as my joints were so bad that I wasn't able to walk to most of the sites. I decided then that I was tired of watching life, I wanted to join in. I also wanted to live long enough to see my Grandchildren graduate from college!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

By researching and going to seminars about Gastric ByPass

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 I really wasn't living anyhow. I would die an early death if I didn't do something, so where is the risk?

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 husband and children and one of my Aunts were very supportive. I don't think I could have gone through this without my husband. He was/is so supportive. I have 3 sisters that all need the surgery. They all have more co-morbidities than I did, but they were dead set against it. They refused to even look at the information and books that I brought them. I think my older sister went to the hospital the day of my surgery so that my husband wouldn't be alone when I died!

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

I told my suppervisor, which was a little tiny skinny think. She was kind of bland about the surgery. I was off 2 weeks and the day that I came back to work from my surgery, I was permenantly laid off that day and walked out the door!

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

Rose Medical Center in Denver, CO was wonderful. The nurses were very caring and trained in the procedure. I had surgery on Monday morning and came home Thursday Morning. You need to take Personal Items (robe, slippers & bath items. If you are a little hot blooded, bring a small personal fan. You might think about toilet tongs and wet wipes. If you don't know what the tongs are for, remember that your havi8ng surgery on the abdomin and it will be hard to bend to reach to wipe in the bathroom.

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

I haven't had any complications. I've had one dumping in the year that I have been out and that was it.

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 really wasn't nervous about the surgery. I was comfortable with my surgeon choice and had done allot of researsh. I didn't have much of a life before. I was withdrawn and felt so alone before that I felt that life could only get better. I felt sorry for my husband having to talerate my obesity. When I got the date, I was so excited. I was hoping nothing would go wrong. At the last minute, I had a blood problem caused by sleep apnea and had to have 2 units of blood taken before they would do surgery. If I didn't, I might throw a clot at die. I rushed to the blood bank and had it done and it was full steam ahead.

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

I was tired and drug out for about a week or week and a half. By 2 weeks, I was up at Curves to join. I wasn't doing a full workout, but I got started. I did allot of walking. That is one thing that I think is very important for both your body and your mind. I can now walk over 10 miles, and that is on 2 artificial knees.

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

Just across town. It didn't effect my aftercare at all.

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 3 weeks was liquid. I got to the point that I could hardly get the protien drinks past my nose. The next 3 weeks was purrad and that wasn't quite as bad. I would put egg, meat and mayo in a food processor and go for it. One recipe of this would last me over a day (5-6 meals a day) Once I got on real food, I had a real problem with any grease. I couldn't keep anything down that was the slightest greasy. I finally got over that. You just have to try, and retry. I eat 5-6 meals a day and 75% of what I eat is protein,

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

At the hospital, the nurses got tires of watching me go back and forth down the hall, so told me to go check out the babies on the next floor or go down to the loby and check out the gift shop. By 2 weeks I was started on a light work-out a couple days a week and allot of walking. I know work out 5-6 days a week and take a long walk outdoors once a week.

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

I took Flintstone Comlete-2 in the morning and 2 at night. Vitamin B12 (1000mcg) under the tongue once a day. Biotin for my hair (haven't lost any) Calcium Citrate-1000 MG, Chewable vitamin C.

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 had a little nausia for the first couple of months. I had one dumping at about 8 weeks out, no hairloss. I did have sleep disturbace after surgery. Went to my PCP and he gave me something to slow my mind down so that I could go to sleep.

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

The test for leaks and obstructions and the mood swings caused from the estrogen released from the fat when your on a fast weight loss.

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

We have nutrietional classes that we attend before and after surgery. We have Denver Bariatrics support groups. We now have 12 groups and welcome anyone from any surgeon. We are a non-profit organization and so it is free all. We go from Pueblo to Longmont, so there is one near you if you live in eastern Colorado.

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

I have 6 tiny scars that 5 out of 6 are hard to find. I thought it would be much worse.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have a problem with to much excercise and burn to many calories so that my body keeps going on stravation mode and won't let go of any weight. I keep telling myself to slow down, but it is almost an obsession with me.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, much. I am looked at and not ignored like I was. Even people that have known me for years treat me different.