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

My aunt had bariatirc surgery in 1996 and then my mother had it in 2001. When I saw their results with the Vertical Banded Gastroplasty, I decided to check into the different surgeries and decided on the Gastric Bypass.

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

I was denied in December 2003 so after changing surgeons, an appeal letter and my medical records being sent again, I was approved. This time around, I went to the Aetna website and printed the required information. As I put each paper in the packet, I checked off what was listed and sent that paper also.

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

My first meeting with this surgeon was quite hilarious. He came in and asked how I was and we talked a bit and then he asked me if I had any questions. I told him "No, because after all the research that I have done on this surgery, I could give my own seminar". He liked to have fallen off of the chair he was sitting on because he started laughing hard.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I guess what made me finally decide to go ahead with having the surgery was the fact that I had been obese long enough and my health has to be put first or I knew I would be dead in a matter of 2 or 3 years.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After doing research, I decided that it was the most permanent answer to my morbid obesity.

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?

After doing the research, I really am at peace with having my surgery. If you are considering having surgery, please research and learn all you can about the surgery that you are seeking to have.

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 and friends have been very supportive.

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

They seem to be very suppportive. They knew before school let out that I was planning on having surgery and when I got my approval and the date, they seemed to be happy.

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

My stay at the hospital was good. I had a FANTASTIC nurse when I first got to the floor after surgery. Comfortable clothes are very important to bring.

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

The only complication that I had from the surgery was that I had developed a air leak and ended up having to be opened up.

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 EXCITED!!!!!! I was also nervous so I did a LOT of praying.

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

I had NO energy and thought that the weakness would never end. Always take your vitamins because they will help with the strength.

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

I traveled 2 hours. My aftercare has been ok but I haven't went to any support groups because of the travel time and the fact that I would be driving home in the dark.

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 did clear liquids until I had the drained removed the following week, then went to full liquids for 6 weeks (that was the roughest period), then soft foods for 6 weeks and then regular. I ate a lot of mashed potatoes. Then I started adding different things but meat has been my toughest issue. I never have liked meat but I have to eat it every now and again to help with the protein issue.

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

I went back to work 2 weeks after my surgery but was careful for 8 weeks afterward.

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

I tried the Flintstones but they made me sick so I take the gummy vitamins.

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 think for me the sleeping disturbance and hair loss were bad. I still don't sleep well and my hair has almost slowed down from falling out. I am 6 months post op.

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

I think that the worst part for me was ummmmm......realizing that I would never eat like I used to eat and that wasn't to terribly bad.

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

My aftercare consists of my family and friends. Family and friends are very important.

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

I have a 12 inch wide incision. This wasn't what I expected. I expected 6 little laproscopic scars.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had 1 plateau and it lasted maybe 1 week.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, people that know me are so excited for me because I am started to look good to them. My friend/pastor calls me "skinny-minny". The treatment of people who don't know me, is that I am a "FAT" person.