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

I first heard of it after Sharon Osbourn had it done few years ago and as it got more popular I thought it would finally be safe for us.. regular folks.. Initially I thought oh my gosh they gut you like a fish..lol.. then I relized yeah they do.. but when I saw the out comes and the positive that came from it.. I thought man why not give myself another chance..

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

The best advise I could give you is stick with it.. Even when it feels like you've done it all and spoke to everyone. Don't give up.. Call and keep all your papers. Go to your appointments and dont give up.

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

My meeitng with Dr. Whyte was awsome.. The best info I could tell you is to be prepared any questions you have.. write them down.. I kept a little note book the whole time of WL journey.. and any questions I had I wrote them down.. So when I saw the doctor I had my questions ready.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Just Cause I wanted to have a life and I knew that If i kept going the way i was I would of died before I could retire.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I originally wanted the lap but when I found out that the risk where higher, and I have 2 small children I couldn't take more of a risk than I would have too. Then the doctor said that he would rather do it open cause of how small i was in the abdominal region.

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 would tell them that it would be absolutely normal to fear that cause, our lives are very special.. and to really understand that the odds are really in our favor.. because how much longer would we last if we didnt do the surgery and how happy would we be in those years to come.. I feel you should think and do what you think is best for you and yourself..

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 very supportive.. afraid yes... but supportive.. any information I learned I fed it to them and made them understand what I knew and keeping them informed on what was to come.. they stuck by me.. I was lucky..

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

does not apply.

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

I was in the hospital for 4 days and I just was so uncomfortable there. The RN"s were great they helped me when the CNA's wouldn't. But Over all they did there job which helped me to remember what my job was to do.. which was to walk and get better.

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

No I didn't have any complictations thank god.

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

Well the first week home was rough.. My husband had to do basically everything.. And emotionally I felt like a burdon. But As they days went by I found myself everyday feeling better.. By the second and half week I was able to do simple stuff for myself like going to the bathroom without any help. And finally sleeping in my bed. The only anxiety I have right now at the end of the liquid stage is that will I ever be able to have some of my favorite foods ever again? I know I will but its just the feeling now.

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

I would say to expect to hurt and be uncomfortable. But to know that everyday gets easier and you feel better with every day that goes by. Ask for help don't feel prideful and think you can do it all by yourself if you need help ask for it.

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

I live in Whittier and Fountain Valley is about 25 miles away.. so its far as not conveinant but not so far where I cant go for help.

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.

Well right now I cant eat anything really.. I am on a liquid diet for 3 wks. and then be on a pureed food diet for another 3 wks after that then I can eat soft foods. But No more sodas (carbination) nothing with alot of Grease and Fat and High in Sugars is all a big NO NO. Mentally it is hard just like any other diet we've tried but the only difrrence here is that you don't have a choice, and for some of us who don't have will power and control this really is good. and works.

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

My activity level is very minimal at first simple walking around the house and then to outside. Now 3 wks out of surgery I go to the store and walk around from place to place. but I dont overdue it. I'm sure my walking will increase as the days go by.

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

As for supplements I take a flinstone vitamin in the moring with a tums and at lunch time I take a Iron pill crushed and then take another tums at night. and Once a week i take a B12 sublingual pill.

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?

so far I dont really have any side effects except that when my battery gets low I get all jittery and feel like I 'm haveing a panic attack. I think it's just cause I'm not use to the way my body works now. Hair loss hasnt start but I'm hoping it wont.

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

emotionally understanding that I couldnt eat what my mind wanted anymore.. but understanding that it was my eyes wanting it more than my body.. It was hard and emotionally painful. but once you get it in your head that its a life time change and does not mean you will never in your life ever have it again it just means that you cant now and if ever you will eat it diffrently forever.

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

I go to the support group there at Fountain Valley w/ Dr. Lemont. She is great and the group helps alot with knowing your not alone and there are people w/ the same fears and problems.. It feels really go to me to know others I can talk to that understand where I am coming from

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

At first my scar seemed like ti went on forever..like it was about 12 to 18 inches long.. but now that some of the weight went away.. its probably about only 6 inches long at the most.. I feel my scar is fine.. its a battle scar to me.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

yes. I have had a month long plateau and it drove me crazy I would loose a lb. or more then gain it back in a couple of days and then loose and then stay. it drove me nuts.. wondering what I was doing wrong.. and re eveluating my habits to make sure I wasnt messing up.. and it turns out that it makes you remember.. how much you wanted this surgery.. cause one lb. makes you feel like its 40lbs.. your mind plays mean tricks on you.. but you can get through them.. if you stck with it.. dont give up..

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes. I do . people talk to me alot more and seem to be able to tell me how bad I looked before and not feel ashamed. Its really wired but honestly it feels good to be able to be treated like everyone else now..