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

I heard about the surgery at a old job plus I saw the television special with Al Roker and Carnie Wilson and that put the thought in my mind that I could have this surgery and lose the weight. It took me two years to make the move to have the surgery because I was scared and did not want to loose my comfort in food.

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 problems with BCBS. They approved me on the first submission because I had all the requirments which BC required. I think they are on of the easiest insurance companys to have when looking into Bariactric surgery.

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

I new alot about my surgeon due to I met him when he was a residen when working at the hospital. I thought that Dr Foote was really nice and very informative. He answered all my questions and my sisters questions. He was open and honest about the surgery and told me all the complications that could happen. He takes his time with his patients and does not rush you at your appointment and never critisizes you over any questions. He wants you to be informed on this surgery because it is a life changing experience.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I could not walk around without being out of breath. I was afriad I would be dead before the age of 40. Plus I wanted to start a family and get married and be able to be active and do things without being tired all the time. Plus I wanted to be healthy.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I went to MMPC because it was in my insurance network. Plus I knew they are a top quality facility with excellent surgeons and they did Lap surgeries and I would not have to be of work for a long period of time.

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 was really confident going into my surgery. I had confidence in Dr Foote and left at ease. But after two months I had complicaitons on a continuous basis. I had strictures, yeast infection, vomiting on a daily basis, for a month and numerous EGD's. The middle of July I was rushed to the hospital with a gallbladder attack and had my gallbladder removed and a internal hernia fixed but I was still had confidence in Dr Foote. I was suffering from major dehydration and malnutrion that I was hospitalized again because I passed out at home with a yeast infection. Then in september I was admitted again in the hospital with pain and nausea which resulted in a kinked intestine and I had a feeding tube inserted for two months for feedings because I had malnutrition so bad. Plus I came down with depression because of all the changes happening in my body and I was still sick that I almost commited suicide in December and was admitted for physciatric help and dehydration and pain. To this day I am still sick on a daily basis but I am happy with my weight loss and I have confidence in Dr Foote because he saved my life on numerous occasion.

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 was totally against me having the surgery because they thought I could not make the life style change but I proved them wrong. I have a strainded relationship with my family due to the complications which I have suffered and they think there is nothing wrong because I can eat regular food or they accuse me of not eating correctly but eating junk food on a daily basis and that is why I am getting sick. I try not to communicate with them about my surgery and problems.

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

At first they were really supportive of me having the surgery and gave me the support which I needed to pursue my decision. But when I started having complications and depression issues I was threaten about loosing my job because I had appointments and was admitted into the hospital. Then I March I was fired from my job due to missing to much time and being sick on a daily basis.

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

The stay was Ok I was there overnight I had a rotton nurse who no longer works there. I did not bring anything in particular just clothes to wear home.

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

I had major complications from my surgery. At first it was just the nauseau and vomiting and I ended up with a yeast infection and strictures and dehydration. Then in July I was rushed to the emergency room with a gall bladder attack and had my gallbladder removed and a internal hernia fixed plus I was still dehydrated. Then I was readmitted for thrush and dehydradtion because I passed out in my shower and almost drown. I have been battling nauseau and heartburn on a daily basis and was admitted in September with a kinked intestine and had a feeding tube in for two months. Then I came down with major depression and almost commited suicide in December because I could not handle all the changes and I was sick and in pain on a daily basis. I still have pain and nauseau to this day and is waiting to see if I will have my procedure redone to try to take away the pain but I am in counseling on a daily basis to help me overcome depression and I try to eat and drink but I am still suffering from malnutrition and have pain around my pouch and intestines, plus I suffer from major diahrea and have all kinds of test run but no results to what is causing my problems so that makes me frustrated and has my surgeon frustrated to.

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 recieved my surgery date and chose to wait 3 months to have it. I was really excited to start my new life and to loose the weight.

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

I was really sore the first couple of days and took my pain pills and slept alot but I did manage to walk around my house and sip my protein and water.

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

I live about half and hour from my surgeon office and the hospital so I was comfortable with that if something happened I could make it to the hospital.

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.

We had to have 4 weeks of protein supplements from MMPC but I was changed to Carnation instant breakfast due to food allergies. I tried soft foods but I vomited alot of them up because My stomach was not healed. Then we were added soft foods and I had the hardest time getting my protein in and to this day I can get enough protein. I have problems with dairy products and soy.

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

I walked around my house for the two weeks after surgery then progressed to walking my driveway and know I swim and play team sports and work out on a daily basis.

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

I take prenatal vitamin and calcuim, iron, B12 and probiotics for my thrush problem.

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 has major problems with nausea and vomiting and have pain to this day and have problems laying flat when I sleep because I feel like I have heartburn. I had hair loss after 3 months out and that has stopped but my hair is really thin, I have dumping on a daily basis and have to be really carful on what I eat or drink.

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

I hated having the complications and additional surgeries. Plus I have been sick for over a year and still see no end in sight. I am happy that I had the surgery and have lost over 100 pounds but I do not feel healthy and hate living in pain and I have to force myself to eat food.

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

I attend the MMPC support group twice a month and we have topics or open discussion about personal issues. Plus we have to commit to a year of appointments and lab work to monitor our progress.

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

I have major scars but they are little scars and do not bother me at all I am looking at a major surgery open procedure.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have lost weight steady the past year and now have slowed way down and have to work at it by exercise and diet. Plus I have gained weight to but I have put on muscle which weighs more than fat. I probally have my first plateau in the next month or so.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes I have people looking at me more and guys talking to me and having more of a social life than before.