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

A friend had it done...I was very interested. It looked like a doable thing. So I researched and researched and then researched some more! I did this until I was satisfied I knew what I would be getting into.

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

I have Michigan Medicaid, The Wellness Plan. It wasn't the easiest thing to get approved. I had to call my doctor's office and Medicaid often, it finally got to where I would call weekly. The insurance wanted me to try a liquid diet program at one of our local hospitals before they would give an approvel for WLS. My first question was do the people who go on this liquid diet gain the weight back once they start to eat "real" food? She told me yes, I told her then no I will not "try" it. I was only given the choice of two surgeons. Both were many miles away from my home. The best advice I can give is to keep a note book of all the people you talk to, phone numbers of these people. Write down dates and times that you talk to anyone. Always ask who you are talking to. Get copies of all your medical information every time you have something done.

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

I had a great consultation! Have a list of questions to take with you. Take notes while you are in the consultation and take someone with you so they can listen and ask questions too. Do your research before you go. So you are informend and knoledgable.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I could not walk very far. I could not breath well. I had diabetes. I couldn't wash myself let alone wipe my own butt. I was going to die if I didn't do something. I didn't want to leave my son and husband.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After much research....I found that the proceedure I had was the most done and longest one out there with great results.

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 gave it all to God, I was in his hands. But I was afraid of dying. I was already dying slowly. Get right with God, yourself and your loved ones. You may even want to do a will. As with ALL surgeries there is a risk of death.

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?

I had great support! Everyone I ran into was very supportive. I wouldn't change anything. Sometimes I feel alone in the fight now that I have had it downe, but I belong to some great online support groups and that helps alot.

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

I had not been employed for 2 years before my surgery.

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

The hospital was horriable I wouldn't take my dog to it. It was truely a horriable experience. I was in for 6 days, this is the norm for my surgeon. My own shampoo& toothpaste. Slippers, that are easy to get into and out of. Maybe a puzzle book or something like it. Pillows for the ride home.

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

My heart rate would not slow down after surgery. I was in recovery a long time. 2 days later I was short of breath, then had chest pains, I was given a nitro pill to put under my tounge. Then had a test to see what my heart was doing. It showed that sometime in the past, before surgery, I had a small heart attack. I was told to follow up with my PCP and I did. Everything to date is good.

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 so releived....the wait to find out if I was approved or not was terriable. My anaaxiety level was pretty low...although I told anyone who would listen that I was approved!

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

I had the use of a hospital bed, it was a life saver! If you can get one please do. My pain was a minimum. I slept alot and didn't really eat a whole lot. On the third week my pain peeked, I think I over did it. The first few weeks don't excpect to do much. Consider it a little vacation from house work and such....

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

I had to travel about 350 miles. The ride home was the worst....bring pillows and get your pain meds filled before you leave the hospital. But once home all was well.

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

Slow walking around the house the first few weeks. Then I would go out to get the mail, it was a short walk. Each day I would walk a little longer. Finally after about 4 weeks I started to use the treadmill.

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

I take a prenatel vitamin daily and drink 2 protein shakes a day.

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 lost my hair starting month 2 it lasted a good 2 months. I was pretty nausiated for the 2nd month and I had vomited a few times, that was because I didn't chew well enough or ate too fast. I cannot eat refined sugar or something high in natural sugar, I dump. After month 3 I never vomited again. and I don't have any nausia.

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

My surgeon has not support or after care at all. You go to your 3,6, 9 month check ups and that is it. I belong to a couple on line support groups and that has helped me a lot. I think an after care support group is a must and I hope folks look for this.

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

It's long! I expected it. I wear it proudly. Now that I am 8 months out it is only a little pink.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

in month 4 I had a little plateau...my weight loss slowed to a trickle. I uped my protein intake and I started to loose again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, people look at me now and say hello and smile. They come closer to me. Men seem to have more eye contact. Kids don't make rude comments either. I am approced by strangers more. Asked my opinion more.