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

I researched it about two year ago but abcked out at the lst minute. Then I heard about the Barix Clinic in Wylie, Texas and researched it. When I first went there I knew in my heart this was the right place to go.

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

It was very easy for me to get approval from my insurance company. it only took them about one week to respond.

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

It ws great. Dr Thrift was very full of information. He explained every single little thing that Iwas going to be going through. I have had surgery and I can honestly say he left nothing out.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanated to feel healthier and of course to look better. But mainly to live a longer life with my girls and husband.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I just done research and knew different people who have had all of them done and I just decided on a personal basis that the open RNY was the way for m to go. I am not sorry that I did go that way!

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. I knew if I died that I was going to a better place. The only thing I would suggest is to write a letter to each memeber of your family letting them know how much you truly love them. I did and I was at peace they knew my wishess if something should have happened.

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?

At first my kids were not for it nor was my mother. But after lots of talking to them and convincing them it was te right thing for me to have done they were okay with it.They are so supportive it is unreal. I have had lots of help doing things I cannot do right now. Like tying my shoes cleaning house, ect...

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

I am not employed I am a stay at home mom so there was no problem in that area.

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

I was there for 3 days, the nurses and my Dr. were wonderful very caring. The most important thing is to be compliant with what your Dr. tells you to do!!!

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

none whatsoever. I was very compliant with everything that my Doctor tolde me to do. I really did not have any pain with my surgery either. I told them to take me off the PCP pump after the first 24 hours. To this day my incision looks wonderful. Dr Thrift doen a great job on sewing me up. It has almost dissappeared after 10 months.

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 was very nervouse but excited to. I was very busy getting all the test done that were required from my Dr.Yes I had alot of anxiety but I just prayed.

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

It was not bad at all. I was able to do for myself. I walked everyday. It is hard staying on the clear liquid and the full liquid phaze for so long but you can do it!!

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

I went 240 miles it has not affected my aftercare at all. I go there for my checkups.I woule recomend the Barix Clnic for anyone it was well worth the long drive there to have my surgery done.

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.

I followed the diet from the very beginning. There were all the phazes that yuo have to go through ebfoe getting back to eating regular food. The hardest one for me was the purreed stage. I thought that i was ready to eat real food by ten and I treid it and beleive me it was not worth it I got sick and was sick for two whole days. i never want the DUMPING syndrome again!!!

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

I was up and walking four hours after surgery and it was not bad. I was in the hospital for 3 days and on the fourth day at home I was outside walking around. The 5th days I walked a mile.

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

I take two flinstone vitamins daily and two sugar freee tums a day for clacium and that is all ecept I drink Profect for my protein but not evryday jsut when I know I am not going to get in all my protein for that do.

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 still get nausea evry now and hten but not very often it passes very quickly. I have only had the dumping syndrome twice in 10 months. I have only had very little hair loss actually my hair andnails have seem to have grown more since I have had th surgery.

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

Just the thought of going through wqith it owuld I die or not:)lol But I survuved and I am very thnakful for having it doen adn do not regret it at all. I would do it over in a million years if I had to.

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

I go to obesityhelp.com and they have a support group at the hospital I had mine done at. It has been wonderful to chat with people who have had it done and learn from each other.

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

It lookd great as times goes by it will be unnoticeable. Dr. Thrift did a wonderful job on it. No staples stiched insdie out.I have been going to amassage therapist and you can hardly see my scare at all now after 10 months post op

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None I have really had a great experience so far:) I am still losing weight at 10 months post op

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No only family member telling me not to do this and not to do that:) lol.....yes peopel look at me different now it has beeen 10 months and I look like a whole new person and people do treat me different now. But in a good way:)