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

My family doctor, Dr. Scott Arnett, recommended the idea to me after trying to help me loose weight using Xenecal with little success. It took me 6 months to make up my mind to go ahead with the procedure and attend the informational meeting.

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

Dr. Arnett, family doctor, had me previously diagnosed and treated for sleep apnea. In addition to this fact, he had me go and get a heart ECG, which showed enlargement of right-side of the heart. My insurance company approved me on first letter with this information. My advice get all your information in a row proving the need for the procedure before involving the insurance companies.

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

I first met Dr. Thompkins at the informational meeting and spoke to him briefly afterwards. Make a list of questions for your doctor to go over with you about the procedure and what you expect to get from it.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The fact that I could not loose weight on my own or under the supervision of my family doctor.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My insurance only paid for 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?

My obesity was a greater risk to my health than this procedure. I like the odds of the surgery versus the definite complications and early death from my obesity.

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 family was behind me 100% before and after my surgery.

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

My workplace was behind my decision 100%. I told them everything they needed to process my leave and pay. I was off work 6 weeks.

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

My stay in the hospital consisted of checking into surgery at 6am on Wednesday, June 7th 2006 and checking out at 11am on Friday, June 9th 2006. My hospital staff at King's Daughter's Med Center in Ashland, KY are unsurpassed in the quality of care and concern that they showed me during my stay. Five star rating for all of them and highly professional.

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

I had no complications from the surgery.

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 eager to get the surgery. I attended the information meeting on September 15, 2005 (my 35th birthday). It took until June 7, 2006 to actually get all the insurance requirements fulfilled (after changing insurances in January 2006). Not much anxiety at that point.

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

I got home on June 9, 2006. For the first week I dealt mainly with the soreness from the procedure (lap gastic bypass). I recommend getting a walker to help you get through the house from point to point.

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

I travelled about 1+ hrs from my home for surgery and that has not affected my care in anyway. It was worth it for the excellent staff and facilities at Kings Daughters Medical Center in Ashland, KY.

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.

Tuna is the only item still off my list. After the 8th week when you start trying new foods daily, take it slow and try each new food by itself so you can more easily weed it out if it upsets your stomach.

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

For first week reduced movement from soreness. After that I began a regular walking regiment.

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

Bariatric Multivitamins, calcium, iron, coenzymeA supplements, and extra Folic acid.

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?

My hair loss was the hardest on me. I only had vomiting for first 2 months, most from poor choices of what to eat. Still having hair loss after 6 months, vomiting was first 2 months. Using protein shampoo to combat hair loss.

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

Worst part, hair loss...oh the vanity.

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

I attend KDMC meeting every so often. Do not meet regularly due to work and distance from meeting site.

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

My procedure was done Lap, so not much in way of scars. Less than I thought they would be.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

After a long period (14 wks) I het a week with no weight loss. Then adjusted my eating and exercise regime and slowly started loosing weight and since it has been a few pounds a week.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, many tell me how much I look like I have lost. Always asking for the new tally.