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

one of the ladies , whose hair I cut had it done

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

that was a battle in itself. check everything out prior. my insurance was going to stop paying for the surgery and it was my employer's choice to cut it from the program. I'm still making payments on what was supposed to have been 100% in the network paid by the insurance what they didn't pay. That part is furstrating.

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

I went to the seminar it was very enlighting

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I knew I wanted the surgery from the first moment I heard about it

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Two of my nursing instructors had it done with success

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 had rather die having it done than to die from the fat and worry as to what type coffin would have to be ordered to bury me in.I was always scared I would be so big at the time of my death that no one could lift me out or that the paramedics, funeral home employees would have my death as some joke. Perhaps the door would have to be removed. This sounds crazy but there was such a situation like that around this area.

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 was against it from the first word of it. He tried his best to talk me out of it even after the picc line was put in, he kept saying, "Marta, you don't have to do this, we can go home." I told him that this is for me. My mother was just like my husband. All she would say over and over was that people died from this kind of surgery. I would tell her I would rather be dead than be so miserable with this weight. My daughter is my rock. She was the positive one. She went with me every time for classes, labs, MD appointments. She knew my pain. She stayed with me day and night during my hospital stay.I did not have to ask her, she just did. After it was over then everyone was supportive. Everyone is amazed at the weight loss and how much better I feel. All I can say to anyone is that I WOULD DO IT AGAIN.

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

I went in on Tuesday, which was the day of surgery. I stayed in ICU that night. I was up walking the unit that night. Next morning I had x-rays of my stomach to make sure of no leaks. Then moved to the womans floor. All the nurses and staff were wonderful. My doctor was great. He talked with me, I was prepared for this surgery. I don't reemember any pain. I was there until Friday.

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

none

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 scared. I prayed alot.I had enough faith that when God is ready for me he will take me, whether I'm in bed, or in a car, or having surgery.

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

I took things slowly. I listened to my body. If I felt the least bit of pressure in my chest(this is how I could tell my stomach was full), I would stop eating. I measured out my soup in a small container. This is the discipline period. You learn what and how much to eat.

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

app. 40 miles.not much

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.

At first I had soups and near liquid foods, then soft foods, then progressed to easy chew foods. Now I eat what I want the main thing is to chew, chew, and chew oto liquid consistency. Meats set a little heavy still.

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

When I felt tired I listened to my body, I would rest. Each day I was able to do more. I cleaned house and did some walking on the treadmill. I was back at work at 4 weeks.

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

I still take childrens chewable vitamins and chew tums.

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?

My hair did thin and I changed my layered style to a bob. I had one episode of blood sugar dropping so I carry tic-tacs. The chronic diarrhea I used to have due to gallbladder surgery over 20 years ago is resolved. If I feel constipated I drink coffee. For some reason coffee cleans me out in no time.

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

I came home with a jp drain. Sleep was hard because I sleep on my stomach. It came out on Monday.

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

I worked third shift and never made it to the support meetings after my surgery. I was lucky enough to have several patients that had had the same type surgery. I asked them alot of questions.

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

My surgery was laproscopic.6 small incision sites and one was in an old scar.They look fine.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I don't weigh as often as I did in the begining. I can tell more in the fit of my clothes. My doctor discouraged staying on the scales.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. Everyone I work with compliments me and now some actually have called me skinny.