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

The 1st time I heard of any type was in 1989 when I met a lady that had a type of weight loss surgery done. She lost a LOT of weight and I knew I wanted in on this. But it took me all these years to finally do it. I just wasnt informed enough to know what Dr.'s to call, and how to go about it. I was searching the internet one night and came upon obesityhelp.com and that was the beginning.... this site has everything I ever needed to get started, even what Dr.'s to call in my area. I KNOW I would have never been able to have it done were it not for this site.

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

I had no problem getting approved. I had Blue Cross and I called the number on the back of the card and the people were SO nice. They told me they would approve the surgery as long as the Dr. said it was medically ness. And it only took them 8 days to approve me. Everytime I called them they were so nice to me. The only advice I could give would be to call your insurance co. and stay in touch. Be friendly when you call.

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

The 1st visit was some what informative... I was so nervous I think maybe thats why I had a bad experience. I cried when I got out of the office. They basically just went over the steps of the surgery and explained things to me, but thanks to this site, I already knew what he was going to say before they said it.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I have ALWAYS wanted to have it since I heard of it. One day my family was out in the pool playing, it was an above ground, and I couldnt get in. I acted like I had something to do inside,I came in went to bed and cried. I wanted to be with my family and have fun. I think that was the beginning for me. I decided that day that I WAS going to do something about it.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I looked through the web site and decided from the posts and all the information which one was right for me.

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 didnt have any fears. I had prayed that if it was right for me to have the surgery, that God would open all the doors for me and line everything up right into place. I knew when things started falling into place that everything was great. The only time I got nervous as was when I went in the morning of my surgery and the nurse came in and was hooking me up and all, she said that she wanted the surgery also, but she was a single parent, and she couldnt have it done because if she died, she would leave her kids with no one. I started thinking was I being selfish and risking my kids growing up with out a mother. I am so thankful that I didnt. I am an even better mom and wife now.

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 mother wasnt receptive to the idea for a couple of years. My aunt and cousin told me I absolutly COULD NOT have it done. I started praying about it, and it seemed that God brought people into each of their lives that some way had experiences with the surgery, be it with a relative, or themselves.... and they werent as scared for me. My husband had always been supportive of what ever I wanted to do. He just wanted me to know that he loved me any way I was, and I didnt need to have it for him. I was even so desperate to sneak out of state to have it done and not tell anyone but my husband, but God fixed that so I could have my family's support.

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

I am a stay at home, homeschooling mom.... but I was "out" for about 2 weeks before I could start doing things around the house again. Thank God again for a wonderful husband and children!

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

The hospital I stayed was wonderful. Stringfellow Hospital in Anniston Al. They were equipped for the surgery and the nurses were VERY nice. This was my 8th surgery and I have NEVER been in a hospital this wonderful where the nurses were SO nice. I was in there from Tuesday morning till Thursday night about 7. I really didnt bring much. I wore the hospitals gowns, I just brought the basics.

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

none at all.

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 went into a deep depression. I am very prone to feeling blue anyway. But after the surgery and I didnt have the "comfort" of food, I was very depressed. That went on for about 3 months. But I do not regret going through any of it. It was ALL worth it.

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

VERY weak. HEAD HUNGER. depression.

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

I just had to go about 20 miles, so it wasnt hard at all on me.

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.

at 1st everything basically hurt my stomach.... even water. Water hurt worse than eating did. Even if I ate just a little, I would feel sooo full it would hurt. I wanted to drink but couldnt much. I still cant very much. I dont get hungry very much at all. I still cant drink usually until after 10-12 in the morning.... that includes eating. It just doesnt feel right. I cannot tolerate sugar AT ALL... not even milk for my protein shakes. But I dont mind that at all. I still cant do eggs very well, I am almost 10 months out. I have and continue to eat A LOT of SF popcicles. That way I feel like I am snacking and I am drinking at the same time. Ice is wonderful also.

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

at 1st I sat in my recliner and I would get up and walk around the house.... and check on things. Like I said, this was my 8th surgery, so I KNOW how important it is to walk. After the 1st week, I would get out in the yard and walk around. I think I was 1 1/2 weeks out when I went to wal mart and could walk around more in there than I could before I even had surgery.

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

For the 1st month, I took the scooby doo chewable vitamins. I tried womens capsules, but they HURT sooo bad, I went to the centrum liquid. I started last month taking regular capsules again.

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?

Nausea was awful. For some reason, I havent been able to vomit since I had the surgery. But after eating just one bite too much, there is a LOT of pain involved. I am hoping this helps me keep my pouch small. my hair loss wasnt TOO awful bad, I did have a lot. It was a running joke around here and still is. I am thankful I had a lot before the surgery. I really havent worried about it too much, I just fix it a little different on days that it shows worse. I know that it will come back eventually. I have never "dumped" I try not to eat anything that would make me.

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

My kids seeing me after surgery in recovery. I was cold and shaking and it upset them. I have had a wonderful experience with everything else. other than depression, and that went away, so I would have to say upsetting my babies was the worse.

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

I havent attended any support group meetings. I would like to though, Ijust never found the time.

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

Because I had a LARGE hernia repair, I have 10 incisions. They are only about 1 inch wide. They are hardly noticable now.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I usually will lose what ever I am going to lose in about 2 weeks, and then stop losing for about 2 weeks.... for some reason, this is what my body does, and it has done this since the beginning.... But its working anyway.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES! A couple of people will not hardly even speak to me now. I get embarrassed when people make a big deal out of it, or are loud about it in front of others. They notice very very often. And I have some that act like they dont notice because they are jealous. Even if someone asks them if they can beleive I have lost that much weight, they will say they cant even tell.... so not every one is going to be happy for you. Especially if they are relying on you to be the "fat one in the family" just so they arent. Complete strangers even re act to me differently. It is wonderful.