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

Began researching the surgery the first time in the 70's and the complications scared me too much to pursue going further... Than again had regained the same 100 pounds lost and researched it in the late 80's process getting better with fewer horror stories available... Made the final decision to obtain the surgery in 2002 and than just had to wait for God to open all the doors and make it alright.

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

Tricare Prime military related first referred out due to BMI too high flo treatment at the local military hospital. than by the time I had met my surgeons criteria I was low enougth to get pulled back into the military setting and than the war was declred and all the surgeons deployed to Iraq and finally not 16 months later post-op loving it!

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

Informative! I began by attending an iformational meeting held at one of the local hospitals and hte surgeon did great graphics and live testamony from his patients to give a good picture of what this surgery can do and what it cannot do for each individual attending.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

First grandbaby due and I wanted a quality of life to enjoy watchinh her grow up and having fun being a "NANA". Wanted to stop all medications for: Hypertension Diabetes High Cholesterol arthritis

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Least side effects of to date long term complications reported.... Fact that Cancer patients have been undergoing this procedure successfully for years gave me a peace to try it

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?

None, if it were to have been my time to meet God my maker than I would go knowing fully he is in control!

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?

Supportive Outstandingly supportive! Thank you for caring and being there for me!

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

due to being a casula part-time employee, I have a lot of support as it hasn't interferred with my work schedule in any way! Of course they haven't yet met the healthy me that is coming out...LOL

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

Too long and yet not long enougth... I took a sippy cup for my fluid intake to assist me inregulating the amount I was to take. I spent 5 days no fluids other than IV's than 1 day clear liquid..... mostly I slept when staff wasn't in giving medications or taking vital signs. Personal wipes was great fo hygiene issues family support person to assist runnning interfernce with the staff & the Dr. and yes even visitors

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

At 3 months post-op I developed an infection and they did explratory surgery locating a piece of plastic from the staple gun (per the surgeon). At 6 months post-op found a strangulating hernis that needed repaired (not from by-pass) developed complications from that particular surgery and am still at 1 year out doing 2x day wound care. Thank God for good supportive husband and adult children through this process....and yes the best in surgical support as well!

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 am currently 10 days post-op energy is low, sleep a great deal and that is expected as part of the healing process..... No anxiety attacks noted. Feel like I could run a marathon than again realize I need to go slow!

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

Need to allow yourself to rest and relax...allow others to pamper you as you continue the healing process internally! When tired stop and sleep/rest Do not run the marathon that the mind says it can do!

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

30 miles ride home was rough but ok!

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.

so far continue to be on liquids and so far have tolerated everything with no problems. Except when potien taken in 2 oz, feel full and tight and uncomfortable...due to takes logner to get thru the pouch

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

slow moving thougth with moments of great speed and energy noted (short periods)

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

flintstone multi-vit clacium tablets

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?

no side effects noted

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

pulling of the JP drain! Pain Pain Pain!

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

WAMC support group, family & friends! Very much as I am allowed to see that no one has the same exact recovery or mental issues either! As post-ops we enourage and rely on each other to get over the hurdles as they happen along the way...to include self image changes, martial issues, mental hunger issues, and platueas.

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

had lap surgery so most scars are smaller than the top of a pen... The site where thye have done multiple surguries looks good than changes and has to be re-opened and it is larger about 5 inches and remians as of today deep to abdominal wall...I am allergic to surgical staples from hernis repair and had to remove them this past week and hope this is the final minor complications and the next step will be a=in another year or so tummy tuck!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

At about 100 pounds out I hit a plateau for almost 3 months...finally broke it by going backl on higher protein intake and sugar free jello for desert only! Have now lost a total of 150 at 1 year out!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Definetly! One supervisor has repeatedly made comments about I am not as "Jolly" maybe I need to stop the weight loss! At another interview the administrator who did noyt recognize me from an earlier encounter had the nerve to make a pass...made me very angry! Doors are opened more, people on the street pass and smile more...overall it has been an experience to see the other side of people's prejudicness.