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

My psychologist had had it done years ago and she was in the best shape in her life. She not only looked wonderful, she was glowing, happy and very fit.

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

First a visit with my primary care manager, proved all my falied diets and weight gains, medically necessity for surgery and she put in for the refreal for the surgery. Many other Dr. visits - Pulmonary, Cardiac, Ob/Gyn, Many tests - Ultrasound abs, Upper Gi tract, labs labs labs, Many EKGs, Ultra sound of the heart (ct), PFT, and patience! About 4 weeks for approval after first letter and documents. Be patient and have allot of documentation done before you star the prcess - medical records.

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

Wonderful! Dr. Halmi was very informative, patient (I asked allot of questions) and helpful. We spoke for clost to an hour and he explained evertyhing. Know what you want (which surgery) before you go in to the office so you can ask specific ?'s.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Not being able to sleep, breathe, or walk anywhere. Hating the way i felt and looked.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Wanted it to be non reversable, laproscopic (easier healing time) and not allot of other followup surgery.

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 just had fear of pain and it was bad immediately after the surgery (waking up) but the rest was alright - easier than a C-section.

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?

Not so great. They were either "hey great" or very worried. They think it's the easy way out - ha, if they only knew!

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

none

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

2 nights and 3 days. It was wonderful, after you get the pain under control (because everyone is different) the staff was awesome! I hated not sleeping very well, but was comfortable. House coat, slippers, sense of humor, your own pillow and a smile.

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

Thrush - a throat infection from the tubes, Medicines (antibotics) and with patience.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

Nervous, but relieved! I did not go out and eat like crazy, and I think I should have. I feel like I am in mourning now over food. I miss allot of different foods. I read alot about the surgery and talked about it to everyone. I left the negative stuff go and tried to just get all the stuff done before hand so I could rest.

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

Get allot of rest, do not lift anything!!!!! BE PATIENT and eat slowly. Chew chew Chew Chew. Drink all the water they tell you to and take all the vitamins until the Doctor tells you that you can change your daily menu. Do not change your menu on your own, it will probably be too soon.

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

30 miles. No problems, stopped by the pharmacy on the way home to pick up my perscriptions. I walked aroung the hospital right away, to breathe thru the pain and get my bowls/gas moving so there would not be so much pain.

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.

Red meat ---- no no! Too hard to digest. I tried diet/sugar free cranberry drink, was good, yet too sweet. Tried rice and bread- no no no! To hard to get moving thru the pouch and it hurts tooooo! Don't try to eat popcorn, it is just not worth the pain. Yeah- it tastes good, but it hurts and causes problems.

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

The First week a 2 or 3. Second week a 3 or 4. Third week 5 or 6. And now, 9 weeks post op I am at an 8! I am now at 6 months post-op Down 90 lbs and at a energy level of 20!

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

1 Centrum chewable silver multi vitamin, 1 daily b12 under tongue, 1 TBL calcium liquid or power, papaya enzyme (only when needed) for stomach aches chewable, sugar free chewable C, 1 Iron slo fe. 1 Protonex 40 mg acid blocker perscription.

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 have had none of them. I did get the flu and end up in the hospital last week. I needed IV fluids. My stomach was cramping really bad for 8 days the 8th post op week out. No nausea, vomiting or diareaha. I do get nausea from pain meds tho, they make me sick!

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

Family and friends that don't support you. Cravings for the stuff you love like diet sodas. It's all in my head, I just think I want it. Wanting Hersheys chocolate and seeing it in my house, I need to get rid of it! People and how they change their feelings about you. They either like your weight loss or hate it and don't want to be part of your life anymore. This isn't the easy way out- for all of you who think this was easy!

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

Family, Friends, My Psych Doctor, and Dr. Halmi and Dr. Tran

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

I have 6 tiny 2 mm scars and one-1 inch left side scar.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

At 6 months I have slowed considerably in my weight loss BECAUSE I have added allot of new foods to my diet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, They talk to me now, before they would ignore me and pretend I wasn't there. Amazing- I am now here.