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

The first time that I heared anything about it was from a nurse that I worked with back in 1990. I thought it was a good thing, but that was my very first time hearing about it. I just at the time didn't think it was 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 personally didn't have to deal with the insurance company. But the first time that I applied for surgery they did deny me. My heart dropped to the floor when I received my letter in the mail. I din't seat around long so I went to another doctor. Same insurance different doctor and they approved me I don't know if that wrote a better letter or what. And in both cases it didn't take long for me to receive my letters. The first time it was like 2 weeks and the second time it was't even a week. First letter I threw in the trash second letter I still have and will keep. If you get turned down don't give up. Keep trying until you find a doctor that will accept you and your insurance. KEEP TRYING KEEP TRYING KEEP TRYING!!!!!!!!!

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

I was going to group every month before I even had my first visit with my surgeon. He was there answering any questions that were asked. And he was real good about it and real nice too. But anyway on my first visit it was 4 of us together he talked to us as a group. We asked questions he answered them as awhole. Then he told us about the surgery itself. The pros and cons of the surgery and every other thing we need to know. And when we didn't have or couldn't think of anymore questions he interviewed us separately. We went over the papers that I had to fill out. He was real caring he didn't talk down to me or made me feel like I was a bad person for being over weight. He was down to earth real polite and sincere and I was glad that I had chosen him for my doctor. That's what I liked it was a choice that we make as to the doctors that we chose for this life changing event. And I knew he was the best for me and people can get the most out of there visits by simply asking questions. If you don't ask questions then you want be that informed. So ask questions

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

What finally made me decide to have surgery was when my health started to go down hill fast. I had gone passed the point where I couldn't do anything with my family that involved alot of movement. I couldn't walk down my steps and to my car without near passing out and being out of breath. Being dropped off at the door at stores because I can't walk that for. Then having to get a buggy to rest on when I finally get in the store. It is embarassing to me and everyone that has to see me that way.

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 done alot of research about the surgery, my doctor had explained all the things that could go wrong when having the surgery. For months I was fine with that I thought I knew everything that I needed to know. Even about the part about dying I knew I could and I had accepted that. Because I thought that I could die from being over weight too and that is what I was scared of. But honestly death didn't really hit my or the fact that I could die until I read the memorial pages. And I just cried my heart went out for the ones that died waiting for surgery. And the families of those who loss loved ones due to complications of the surgery. You really take a chance either way you go. I worry about not waking up or something going wrong in or after surgery. I worry about that still, but I had to do what I thought would benefit my life and make it better to live. That's a chance that I must take and hope for the best. It's nothing wrong with being afraid but you can't let that fear rule your life to the point to where if you don't have the surgery you could still die. And I am choosing to live now and hoping for the best that's all any of us can do.

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 totally against it because of the fact that alot could go wrong. But I understand how they feel and why they feel that way. My parents say they love me the way that I am my baby sister does too. And I know that they do, but I do I think it is good when your family and friends can accept you the way that you are. But when you can't then you have to try to change what you think is wrong with you to make you feel better about youself. It's never easy to see yourself as you really are. AND IT IS EVEN HARDER TO CHANGE!!!!!!! I think it is good when overweight people feel good about themselves and accept themselves. I just can't, because I'm in to much pain and in too bad of health. And I deeply love my family for caring that much for me not to see anything happen to me.

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

The first night was not a piece of cake for me in fact it was really bad. The pain was bad, but the nurses were really nice and there for me they checked on me all the time. The next few days the pain started getting better. I was in the hospital for 4 days I had surgery on Nov.2.00 and I went home on Sunday 5. The ony thing I took to the hospital was slippers, robe, underwear, and a change of loss clothes for when I got out of the hospital.

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

I didn't have any complications from my surgery at all none at all.

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

In the weeks after I got my date I felt nervous, but then I didn't want to feel nervous so I tried to stop thinking about the surgery. I stayed on the internet on the obesityhelp line. It really kept me busy and my mind of things.

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

The first week home I was in pain, pain, pain, but the pain medicines helped. I had to have help with everything that I did. With bathing getting in and out of bed which really hurts if you don't have a hopsital bed. The first week was the worst it got alittle better the second week.

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

I had to travel 35 minutes to the hospital where I had surgery. It wasn't really that for.

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.

The first 2 days I had ice chips, water and apple juice. The next 2 days I had clear liquids. From the 5th day to 8 weeks full liquids plus cream soups like tomato potato mushroom. I can have noodles without the chicken crackers well chewed. Skimmed milk, cheese and crackers, yogurt, frozen yogurt, cottage cheese, cream of wheat, malt of meal, no oatmeal jello, pudding with nutrasweet. I can add prezels, rice crisples cheerios roman noodles and grits. I really most of the time don't want anything to eat. I have to make myself eat or remind myself to eat. And most of the time it is just something quick and on the list.

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

The only thing that I can do right now is walk so that is what I am doing. I can't do anything else until my 6 weeks appointment.

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

I am taking vitamin B12 and a high potency mutivitamin and feosol iron tablet. I want to get me some A G PRO for my hair and nails it is a high protein.

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 didn't have any side effects at all. NONE!!!!!!!!!!! But it's only been 3 weeks.

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

The pain the first week and being dependent on others to help me. Or should I say not being able to help myself.

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

We have a support group every that meet on the first Thursday of each month. It is really helpful to me to see all the peolpe that lost weight and what they had to go through and still have to go through. I went to the group meetings months before I even had my surgery. And the are very important.

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

My scar is well healed now it is 9 inches long my drain hole is still open and healing well. I thought my scar would be alot larger.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

It's only been 3 weeks so far I haven't had any plateaus. 3/14/01 It's been awhile since I have updated this and I am now 4 months post-op. I have had many plateaus since then I am stuck in one right now. The last time that I was weighed I was 272 I haven't in a few weeks.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES< YES< YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!