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

Years ago I heard about gastric by-pass but I was not convinced that that was what I needed. Then several people came into my life that had had the surgery and had done very well, so it started me to thinking that maybe I ought to check it out. I asked my PC about it and she said absolutely not so I just dropped it. The on one of my visits to the thyroid doctor, she asked me if I had ever considered having the surgery. She talked to me at length about it and said that she would do whatever I needed in order for me to see a physician. I did a lot of reading and research and really felt that maybe that was what would work for me.

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

I think that I was very fortunate. I got a referral to see Dr. Jawad because the throid doctor wrote a letter to my insurance company along with my very long history of weight problems and dieting that never worked

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

The first visit was scary because I didn't know what to expect or whether the doctor would even be willing to do the surgery. I had questions and I wrote them down so that I would not forget them. Don't be afraid to ask questions. The more you ask the more confidence you will have that your surgeon is qualified to do the surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had already decided that I wanted to have the surgery before I saw Dr. Jawad. I had to do this in order to have a healthy future.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I accepted what Dr. Jawad recommended. He is the professional and the one that knew what was best for me.

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?

There are fears and complications to any surgery that you have. To be honest I did not think that this was any risker than any of the other surgeries. It is natural to have fears of surgery, not just this surgery.

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 were very supportive. They were afraid at first because of the unkown. I gave them all the information that I had found about the surgery so I think they were as informed as possible. They have been totally supportive since and are really proud of me.

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

I was not working at the time. I was physically unable to work

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

I dont't know how to compare my hospital stay. I never been in the hospital except to give bith. I went in on Wednesday for surgery and came home on Friday. I didn't take anything to the hospital and I don't know of anything that I needed.

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

No I have never had any complications from the surgery

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 and the hardest part was the waiting. I wanted it to be done tomorrow instead of having to wait. I tried not to tnik about it and I found things to do to keep me busy so I did not have time to think and worry about it.

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

You are going to be sore. You just had surgery. You will be getting aound a little slower and you have to accept that fact. You need to do just what the doctor tells you to do. Walking a lot is the best thing that you can do for yourself.

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

It was a 2 hour drive from my home to where I had surgery. I stayed with a friend who lived in the area.

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.

In the first weeks following surgery I followed Dr. Jawad's eating schedule. Liquids and soft liquids, like creamed soups, plain yoguart, etc. Then I went to a soft food diet and then back to solid food gradually. Refined sugar, sugar alcohols and carbonated drinks are out. I don't like things anymore that I use to love. This is just a personal thing to me. I don't like eggs any more and I don't like peanut butter anymore. I do not eat soft breads and I have just gotten to a point where I enjoy eating a little bit of salad.

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

At the beginning activity was sparce. I walked each day and each day I tried to increase the amount of time and the distance that I walked. It got easier and easier each week.

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

I take multivitamins,calcium, B-12, iron, Vitamin C, Biotin

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?

There was nausia, but I was careful to take the medication that the Dr. had given me for it. I didn't have a dumping cycle for many months and the hair loss did not come for a while. I take the biotin for the hair loss and I have been careful to keep my protein intake up to at least 60 grams per day.

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

The worst part was the first 4 weeks. You think aboaut food all the time. You think about all this stuff that you want. Once you start eating regularly again you realize that you don't want all that stuff.

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

I started attending a support group before my surgery. This was really helpful. I have continued to go to the ones in Ocala where I had my surgery. However, I am now starting one in Jacksonville.

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

Since I had my surgery laparoscopic I don not have a scar. There is only one little place where the last tube had been and you have to hunt for that place

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had had several plateaus. I learned however, that I didn't need to worry about them. All of a sudden I would weigh and I would have lost 5-10lbs.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, people treat me different. I am different. I have so much more confidence in myself so I act different. I am still the goofy and fun loving me but I am not afraid to get out and go and do things now.