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

I recieved a mailing from BTC in 1999. I talked to my Dr. about it and was attacked for my laziness and looking for an easy out. In 2001 it came to my attention again when a friend had it. Then another friend went to a seminar and decided to have it. So I looked into it, remembering what the Dr. had said in 1999. Because of him I somehow felt this was wrong and too dangerous but still was curious. After much research I came to view this as the only hope I have at a healthy and "normal" life.

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

I have KY medicaid, there was no problem getting approval. It did take a while but it was because of some papers being misfiled at the doctors office. I would advise everyone to stay on top of the process, call and ask how it is going. If you keep calling, they will keep better track of you paperwork!

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

It was very informative. I have this notebook that I kept by my computer and as I researched the surgery I wrote down questions as they came to me. When I go see the surgeon,I still take the notebook with me and ask him my questions. (I still have questions for him in my every day living about foods and other related things). I would be very concerned with a doctor that seemed to resent too many questions or tried to rush me out of the of the office!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I am dying from my obesity, this is the only chance I have to live a "normal" life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Reading what post-ops had to say about their surgeries. Discussing the different surgeries with the surgeon.

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 am still pre-op and do have many fears. I just remember that I know what the future holds for me if I don't have this surgery. It is in God's hands. It is all about risks vs benifits. Now that I am post-op, I still believe the fears people have are legitmate but it still is about the risk vs the benifits. I was more afraid of not having the surgery than having it. I have never regretted my decision.

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?

Most every one was okay with my decision. I have 2 family members that were and still are against it.They don't understand why I couldn't have just cut down what I was eating to this amount with out surgery, they neither one have a weight problem and will never understand so we just don't talk about it much. The one just keeps telling me how sorry she is for me that I can't eat a "regular" amount of food, she doesn't get that before surgery I couldn't eat just a "regualr" amount of food either.

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

I am unemployed.

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

They were very good to me at the hospital. I looked forward every day to the walks with the physical therapists. Everyone was supportive and knowledgeble about the surgery I had. I was in the hospital for 8 days because I had a couple of minor problems not really related to the surgery itself. The most important things I brought with me was my hair pick and my calling card. I was far from home and enjoyed talking to my son every day.

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

My incision became infected and I wound up having the staples if for almost 4 weeks. When the were removed a small place opened up but it was not a big deal. The antibiotics cleared up the infection and it stopped draining and closed up by 6 weekspost op.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

Once I got my date I felt a peace that was amazing. The anxiety was just waiting for the first appointment and then for the approval.

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

I was very very tired when I first came home. I did have home health physical therapy which was a God-send, this helped me get my strenght up. And because the staples were in for such a long time they hurt alot, especialy when I laid down or when my shirt rubbed against them.

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

It is about 2 1/2 hours from here to Louisville. I had to find someone to drive me for my 1st post-op visit because Iwas not upto the drive yet. I had the home health nurse remove my staples rather than to drive all that way just to have them taken out. My post op visits have been at 2 1/2 weeks, 6 weeks, 11 weeks and the next one is at 6 months.

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.

For the first 3 weeks I ate soup and Carnation Instant Breakfast. Since then I have been able to eat what ever I want except NO bread or carbonated beverages. I have now been told that I can eat bread if I want to but that it is not a good choice. I really do not miss the bread but the hardest thing is not drinking Diet Pepsi. The only things I have found that I do not tolerate well are mashed potatoes and onion rings. Of course I have not tried anything sugary or even a sip of soda.

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

My arthritis has been really bad for the past 6 weeks or so, so I have been very inactive. I feel like doing more than I did pre-op but the pain has stopped me. When I first came home, before the flare up I had been outside walking on the warmer days and was really enjoying it! I look forward to being back out side and walking again soon.

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

I take a store brand womens daily vitamin and a liquid calcium citrate supplement and eat at least 1/2 a banana every 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?

Have not had any of these so far. Thank the Lord!

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

The waiting!!! The NG tube the first 24 hours and not being able to drink Diet Pepsi!

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

Online...OSSG-Kentucky The first Tuesday of the month some of us get together. I enjoy both verymuch. We seem to be able to keep each other going.

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

I scar very badly, I form what is known as keloid scars. I knew this going into the surgery so I expected it to be like it is. It is still very sensitive to the touch, even my clothes are uncomfortable and I know from past surgeries that this will continue for a long long time.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I only weigh at the surgeon's office so I don't know if I have been plateauing in between visits or not and that is just fine with me.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

no