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

A friend of mine had the silastic ring type of stomach surgery. I looked into it then and just kept researching. When I saw the Bariatric Centers commercial on TV I called and had them send me the info. From there it all lead to me getting the surgery.

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

The insurance approval went like a charm. The longest wait I had was on getting the appointments with the heart and lung doctors for pre-op clearance. Then waiting on a surgery date.

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

The first and all other meetings were great. Dr. Leverton was very knowledgable, and helpful in making me feel comfortable. She explained the surgery, drew a diagram on the board, etc. She told me that it wasn't a cure all but it was a start and would help me make better choices and be able to lose the weight I have carried around for so many years. Dr. Leverton and her staff are the greatest!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. I decided that it was now or never. I knew there was a risk of dieing during the surgery or from complications but I was slowly dieing each day anyway. I am very glad that I made the choice to do the RNY.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I didn't really know the difference in the procedures. I just relied on Dr. Julie Leverton to choose the best one. I guess I made the right decision because everything worked out and I had no complications.

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 did have some fears of dying during or from complications from the surgery. However, I had prayed that if it was meant for me to have the surgery that all would go smoothly. It did. The insurance company covered the operation, no haggling or fighting, etc. I really prayed and relied on God to take care of me. And He did. That is the best thing I can suggest, approach the procedure with lots of prayer.

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 were all very supportive. The only person who wasn't was a lady at my church who felt that I was making a BIG mistake. She told me that she thought I had more sense than that. I told her that I had researched the procedure for some time, had prayed about it and felt that God was directing me to do it. She finally accepted it. After surgery, everyone has been so supportive of me. I couldn't ask for anything more.

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

I went in to the hospital on Wednesday morning at 5:00 a.m. My surgery was at 7:30 a.m. I was there until Saturday around 1:45 p.m. when I was released to go home. I took a journal that I could write in and get my feelings on paper to analyze later. That was pretty important to me.

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

I did not have any complications from the surgery. I was very fortunate.

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 go back to get my stitches out on Friday this week. I have been feeling pretty good since my surgery. I have times when I really wish there was something else besides the liquid soup but I know that my next stage (pureed) is coming and am looking forward to it. I haven't really felt any anxiety, but I write a lot in my journal of how I feel, etc. I have been keeping in touch with a girl who had the surgery when I did and that helps to keep us both motivated.

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

The first couple of weeks you are pretty sore and in pain. I wasn't able to sleep in a bed for about 3 weeks. Our bed is really high and I just couldn't fold myself up enough to get in it. I slept in my recliner, which was pretty comfy. You should expect to feel pretty sore and not too much energy during this time.

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

I live in Red Oak, Texas and the facility is in Wylie, Texas. It took me about an hour to get there. The only affect the distance had on me was after surgery it was a long ride home. There is also a lot of construction in that area and the roads were very bumpy which was not fun.

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 am now on the regular foods phase. I am still unable to tolerate beef unless it is crumbled very good like in spaghetti. I cannot eat broccoli, it makes me very ill. I also found out that chinese food didn't like me either. Of course, I did eat a piece of sesame chicken which is fried and then coated in a thick sugary paste - not on my food list. I learned my lesson on it, believe me. I eat a lot of broiled and baked chicken. It seems the easiest for me to tolerate.

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

At this time, I do not have an aftercare support group or program. Other than calling and talking to a girl who had the surgery when I did. I guess we are sort of a support group for each other. Update 7/17/01, I am attending a support group meeting this evening at the Wylie hospital location. I am not sure what to expect but am hopeful that this will be a good move for me and the others who attend. I attended the support group meeting and it was very good. There were about 30 people in attendance. The group ranged from pre-op to post-op and to those thinking about the surgery and their mates, etc. It was a 2 hour session that seemed like 45 minutes. I plan to attend each month. The meetings are on the 3rd Tuesday of each month.

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

The scar is not that bad. It is healing pretty good. It is pretty much as I expected it to look.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None as of yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

They all say that I look healthier and act happier. I wore a dress to church this past weekend for the first time in over 3 years. Everyone couldn't stop telling me how good I looked and how proud they were of me. It was a really boost. It made me feel good and gave me that much more incentive to keep on keeping on.