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

I found out about the surgery from my lung dr. a year ago. I have done nothing but research and get to really understand what it all entails. I found out I didn't have pulmonary hypertenion, but I do have Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (cml) it is a rare form and I have to take pills for it, but maintain blood work every week as the chemo pills eats up my potassium. After doing 2 years of research, I learned a lot, and I knew that would be the only way to get the weight off, or die from the extra weight.

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

I didn't need prior approval as I have medicare/medicade. My advice to others is, don't ever give up. Fight the system, fight the right to have a better life. Believe in yourself and go after your dreams.

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

The best thing I can say, is write down your questions. Call the office and ask what the Dr. requires before you even see him, that way you will have done everything you can on your part. Check with your insurance to make sure there are no exclusions. Dr. Colquitt is a very quiet man but blount about the risks, and what he expects from his patients.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The opportunity to walk again without joint pain, to be able to breath easier. To not be an embarrassment to my sons' family's when I am around them. And to play with my grandsons.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I don't want the weight to be able to come back. Having the Gastric bypass would keep me from gaining the weight back on. Sure you can stretch your new pouch by over eating, and you can get very sick from it too. As it's not connected to the main stomach like the lapband, I new I stood a better chance of the weight staying off. It's a lifetime committment.

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?

Every surgery comes with the risks of complications and even dying on the table. WE know that from the beginning. I feel if it's my time to die, then whether I'm on the surgical table or in my room, it's going to happen. I can be put to sleep for half an hour and lose oxygen, and can be out cold for over two hours, and have no problem. If you have full confidence in your Dr. and the staff at the hospital, then you will be ok. If not, then don't go thru it until you are 100% confident.

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 didn't react well to my news, but I am not pursuing this for them, I'm doing it for me. I don't have their support. But I am hoping that afterwards, they'll be there for me. My parents, older son, his wife, and my baby grandson were all here before I had my surgery. Mom and I had 2 weeks being together which brought us closer. My family is now a big support to me.

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

Not employed, and haven't been since March 1998.

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

My stay at Blount Memorial was fantastic. The staff went out of their way to make me comfortable. They even allowed my one year old grandson to come on the floor and see me. I was there for 5 days. A fan, it helps you rest better, drowns out the noises from the hall, cools the room down.

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

I didn't have any complications from the surgery. I did however need a pint of blood 3 days later as I am anemic, but other then that, everything was find. Well, my potassium level was in critical zone, but it wasn't from the surgery, it's from the chemo pills I have to take for my leukemia.

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 don't recall having any anxiety. I had been thru all the ups and downs with everyone else having their surgery, that when it came time I didn't have any worries. I was also used to having surgeries of one form or another. So I wasn't a bit nervous. I even joked around with the different staff as they came in to get me ready.

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

My first week out of the hospital was spent in a motel room. That was close to cabin fever, but it allowed me to rest without having to deal with any daily problems. Since being home this past few days, I have a little more strength to do things. People should expect the same as any surgical patient. We can't lift, we have to eat small amounts, and we need rest to heal.

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

I live 62 miles away from my surgeon and the hospital. Because I live over the 50 miles required, mom and I had to stay in a motel for 5 days. This way if anything should happen, I would be close to the hospital if the need came up.

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.

So far the only things I have been able to eat is broth, sugar free jello, apple juice, and water. This is my second week and I'm allowed flavored water, and protein shakes. I have tried skim milk with a protein shake, but I didn't like the shake and the skim milk and my body aren't ready for each other. I can eat just about anything, only in small portions. I still have trouble drinking Orange juice, no beef or pork yet. Don't even miss them. Some things I didn't like prior to surgery, I now love, and vice versa. Still can't stand the smell of eggs or tuna, loved them prior, now them make me want to throw up. It's now four years later, I am just now able to cook eggs and eat them without getting sick. The smell of coffee still makes me queasy. I still have trouble dealing with Tuna. I have my days where the smell makes me sick, then others when it doesn't. I don't contribute this to the surgery but from my chemo.

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

My activity level hasn't been that great. I am still dealing with chemo, so I don't have much strength. Plus with the weather, it has been hard to get out and do much. I now work out 3 days a week and love it, the other days are spent cleaning my home, resting, and I have a Gazelle to workout on when I'm not at the gym. Lately I haven't been able to go work out, my chemo has changed and makes me sleepy, so I can't go to the gym because of driving and being on the medication.

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

I take Viactiv multi vitamin. They're chewable chocolate squares for women. I now take pre-natal vitamins, Tums with calcium, a B-12 shot each week, was on two, but Dr. cut me down to one, having been on 2 I can really tell the difference. My body drags after 2 days. Four yrs later and still having to take 2 shots a month.

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 fight nausea every day, and I do get sick at night when it comes to having to take my night pills as that's when I also take my chemo med. I'm 4 months out and still have the nausea, vomiting, sleep problems, and hair loss. I think that's more from the chemo then anything else. I can't take any medications unless taken with 2% milk. With water or juice, I am 100% going to be sick to my stomach. This is still the same regarding taking my meds. I'm almost 4 years and milk is the only thing I can drink with my medications.

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

I don't recall anything being the worst. Finding a surgeon to do my surgery with me having Leukemia wasn't a problem. As long as my blood counts were in normal range, Dr. Colquitt would do my surgery.

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

I don't have a support group close to me but obesityhelp.com has become my only source of support.

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

Since it was done laproscopic, the small incisions are almost faded away. It is now almost 4 yrs, what scars?

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had none yet. I continue to lose daily, because of my working out.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No and yes. Those who have known me forever, are really proud of me and how much I have lost and gotten into shape. Those who didn't know what I went thru, like me no matter what. I have received more respect in some areas. Four years later, I continue to shock people who haven't seen me since before my surgery. Like an ex husband. LOL