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

My PCP had sugested it a couple of years ago and I didnt know anything correct about it I thought they removed the intestines, but now I have been studying it and learned the truth, and I cnat wait for my surgery date in april 24 2003. I was uninformed

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

be patient but be persistant, make sure you get copies of all of your medecial records, and keep 2 for yourself, talk with your insurance co and make sure they have all info they require, and if possabe get the info to them yourself, sometimes you have to do the job for other people, play an active roll in your approval process afterall its yours. :0)

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

listen and take notes, bring along someone so if you miss something, or missunderstood they can help you remember.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The pain from my ruptured back, and the added weight after back surgery, and now I cant be as physically active as last year, and I would like to feel like a young woman and experance life as a thin person,its always only been as a fat person.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

actually I wanted the Lap Band went to the seminar on it and then to a RNY seminar, learned as much as I could on both, and found out with the RNY most all co-morbids are completly deminished for life.

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?

Well I feel God has lead me to this decision, I have prayed about it and my family totaly supports me, and I feel it is my last and only chance at a better life,and a healthier life.

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 husband and 2 girls are very supportive, and very helpfull to me but my mother inlaw, at first said it was going against GOD, until I pointed out she had a stent in her heart and what about the hysterectomy she had and anyother surgeries, or med issues MDs help us with, and she backed down and realized how silly she was being, especially now that I am post op.

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

MY stay was 3 days, I feel the hspital was a bit understaffed, and I had to keep reminding nurses, when I was out of water, or needed help to the restroom. THey didnt put the machine for my legs up in a cabinate during the day they justkept stumbling over it, and stepping on cords. I didnt need the oxygen and I told them to turn it off and they just left it on with the nose pieces laying over the chair, I would have gladly gotten my water or ice but I wasnt permitted too.

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

NO problems at all, the surgical staff and resident doctors were great.

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 couldnt believe it was finally here, I have been waiting for 6 months, and preparing both mentaly and physically. I had great faith in GOd that he led me to this to help myself, and he would see me through it,saftly, and I had a good positive mental attuide.

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

Well personally, I had no pain I didnt use but maybe 3 doses of morphine, my only thing was I was so thirsty. We stopped at crackerbarrel and my family ate and I drank water, I walked in my yard, we went to walmart, my 3rd dayhome we went mushrooming(my incession is from my breats bone to my belly button). I have been doing lite housework, and basicaly going on as life before, jut more drinking water and my eating habits, the more you walk,stretch and move, the better you feel. I have been laying on my sides since my 2 day home.

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

90 miles, but my PCP is close by if I need her.

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.

when I came home cottage cheese so good ad now I dont think I can it it. 2 weeks post op I can still drink 2 oz skim milk, taco bell taco meat is ok, everything so far is going in the right direction. I use to love eggs but each day I am getting to the point were I almost cant stand them. I sip 12 oz of cold tomatoe juice or V8 daily for the extra vitimins and my body seems to yearn for it.

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

my blood sugar went up to 230 in the fasting am, and higher durring the day so I got real lithargic, and had to nap but on the 16th day post op it is finally going down to 148 in the am. feeling closer to normal.

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

2 active kids chewable vits and 1 dropper B-complex sublinguele, and caltrate calcium

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?

As of 2 months post op I havenot had any dumping ,hairloss, or any problems at all, its as if I havent had the surgery.

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

the ungodly THIRST, and I felt so dehydrated, it was the 5th day after surgery I finally felt hydrated.

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

My family is my greatest support and obesity help is too.

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

My scar is from under my breast bone to my navel and I had 49 staples. at 3 weks post op I got a small in hole in the scar and it drained for a couple of days and went away.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

At 5 weeks post op I weighed 262 down only 28 pounds it lasted 3 weeks and now I have upped my protien and water and it has finally broke and the weight is comming off. However I am still loosing inches. 8 months post op I have lost 82 pounds, I notice themore I eat the more I loose, and I average 10 pounds a month, and I weigh everyday, and write it on a calander, I will keep forever in my weightloss journal.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I can really tell a differance now at 8 months 11/03, and people really notice now, I feel so much better and younger.