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

My Uncle had it done because he was overweight and had alread had a tripple bypass and the dr's said he was going to dye if he did not lose weight. He had been on all sorts of diets before including in hospital weight management, all eventually unsucessful. However the baratric surgery worked and he kept the weight off. I had two tubal pregnancies both resulting in loss of my tubes, therfore I could not bear children. I got even more depressed and then just desided since I could not have children i would do something "Just for me". i had the surgery.

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

Get all the letters together you can from all doctors you have seen, for example..Allergy dr, foot dr, Ciropractors,family dr, Shrink, who ever you have seen for anything weight related. Get all dignostic codes and make sure any letters sent to insurance has complete information. Dr names, addresses, telephone numbers, fax numbers,social security number, birthdate, etc...

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

I was surprised at how thorough he was, and how much information they gave me. My suggestion is to write down all questions and take them with you. Then ask for a number to call incase you think of anymore, and ask the staff when and what day is a good time to call with questions, sometimes certian days are better for them to take the time to answer your questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The sheer desire to not be fat anymore. And the fact that my insurance approved it and I knew I could afford it financially.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I did the surgery my uncle had because it worked for him. Now that I know more i would still choose the same one because to me the risk factors and chance of regain are lower with the gastric bypass.Mostly because of my age 29 at the time I was a good candidate for this type also.

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 moral issues to work through. I thought I would die on the opperating table because I was being vain and God was going to punish me for not excepting what he had already created. I even made a will and wrote letters to all the people I loved just in-case. To get past this I talked to family and friends and my pastor at church, I prayed a lot and desided that if I did not lose weight I would die or have no valueable life anyway, so i had the surgery.

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?

All reacted well, a few friends and a few select family members showed a little jealousy but for the most part thoese who truley loved me and cared about me were very supportive and happy for me. Especially my uncle who had already had the surgery himself.

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

I was out of work for 4 weeks, I lied about my procedure because i was a little embarrased. One girl in personell tried to have my insurance canceled, but did not suceed, most of them thought it was ridiclous (none of them were overweight.) Once the word got out and the weight came off though, everyone was amazed and they all knew someone or had someone in their own lives that needed this surgery and they all came to me for advise. I no longer work there I now work at a place where they only know me as the thin girl and not the fat girl. they are amazed when I show off before pictures. I no longer hide the fact I had surgery...I brag about it.

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

3 days. I was In St Joe's Hospital in Pontiac MI. The staff was very well trained for this type of operation. the nursing staff new exactly what to exspect and how to care for each patient with this piticular surgery.

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

Not one.

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 did ask myself "why did I do this?" the first few days, but each day was better than the one before and when the weight just litterally fell off that made it all better. The only real discomfort i had was GAS~~~ as with any surgery but especially this one the GAS can be almost unbearable at times. "IT TOO SHALL PASS" >>(Pun intended)

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

gas~ gas~ gas~ and more gas~~~~ eat get sick, eat get sick and eat and get sick. Trial and error with foods.

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

I was very lucky to have this avialable to me right in my own home town almost in my own back yard. My travel time was 5 minutes.

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.

SMALL SMALL VERY SMALL portins at first. try a little taste if you dont get sick, eat it. High fatty foods such as Icecream bugerking woppers are a difinate NO-NO. You may still try...but you will be sick. I am now almost 3 years after surgery i can eat ANYTHING i want except Hotdogs and bologina. i still attempt it every now and then, but I will surely get sick. Anything in moderation.

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

first week, It was all I could do to get up off the couch, but i did walk a lot slowley very slowley in order to relieve the gas pain.

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

A&D (fish oil free) calcium multi

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?

GAS~ GAS~ and more GAS~~~ a lot of walking and pain meds. also try not to eat foods that cause more gas (high fat foods)

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

Big scar on my gut and a lot of STINKY GAS

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

My Dr> Dr. Bruce Macpherson, Is a big believer in support, and information. He offered a great support group where you not only had pre and post op patients to ask questions, but he would also have guest speakers on diet and nutrition and on other things related to this surgery. We even had clothing specialist to help you during your transition. After all wahat a shock to go from size 24 to 8! We would meet 2 times a month and this was a requirement for the surgery, you sign a paper that you will attend these meetings for 2 years after surgery.

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

Big. Yes it is exactly what I exspected. actually its a little better that I thought it would be, It is very narrow and perfect, I had my gallbladder out years before and that scar is really bad! I am now 3 years later thinking about having some excess skin removed from tummy which may take care of scar all together.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I went down to 147 lbs (2 years) right after that it started to creep back up, went to 165 at which point I freeked and started to pay more attention to what I was eating. I am now at a comfortable 154 lbs.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, but suprisingly enough...i got more attention when I was fat, and i think strangers liked me more when I was fat. i guess i was more approchable looking then.