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

i found out thru a girl at my work. i thought it was a copout. seriously. thought nothing of it really. then i saw the results.....

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

patience is a virtue. my experience wasn't bad at all. i just had a lot of waiting. nothing major. :-)

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

when i first met dr gomez, i thought he was a bit "off". but that was because he said he liked to cut. first words out of his mouth. after my one on one with him, i felt alot better. he answered all my questions and made me feel like a human being. not just a fat freak. i loved that. he cared. people can get the most by asking tons of questions. anything and everything!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

i prayed. If it was meant to be, God would have all the doors open and it would happen. :-)

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

i didn't. dr gomez said he could try laproscopic but if he had to open he would have to open. didn't matter to me. having the open, was best anyway. i think it's easier for the dr's to work because they can see a whole lot more of where they are going.

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?

oh trust me, i was scared. but then like i had said to God, if it's meant to be it will all turn out fine. all i can say is trust God and it's your final decision to make. and dying is a risk. just be prepared.

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?

everyone was great. nothing else can describe it. mom was a bit worried but hey, it's her job. :-)

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

she was fine. i told her i was making the decision and she was supportive. i was out of work for three months due to complications.

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

the hospital stay was fine for what i can remember. i was comatose for a few weeks. i was in a hospital of some sort for about 77 days. bring lots of stuff to keep you entertained!!!!

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

yes i did. i had a small leak and some problems which required a second surgery. i was comatose for a few eeks so i didn't really have to deal with that. my family had a hard time because i had died on the table and then almost lost in ICU.

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 so nervous i couldn't eat, drink, sleep. it was on my mind constantly.

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

it gets better each day. my few weeks home wouldn't matter much to others. i was just sitting around with a machine hooked to my incision which was left open to heal. not fun at all. i missed my security in the hospital. and i missed my morphine!!!

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

i was in indianapolis. i live in evansville, in. about 4 hrs. aftercare was fine.

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.

ha! i couldn't eat or drink for two months. now i can eat pretty much anything as long as it's low sugar/fat. anything above 28 grams of sugar and i'm passing out.

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

at first i could barely get around. needed help getting up to walk. it was awful. but now i can walk two miles with no problem. and it's only been 5 months!

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

i take two children's chewable vitamins, 3 calcium tables, and from time to time protein shakes if i miss out on protein from the day. oh and a b12 tablet once a week.

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?

the hair loss was the worst. only because i'm vain. being honest. sleep was hard because i had bones popping out from everywhere and being against a harder surface, ouch!

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

not finding out about it sooner!

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

i have friends who have had and are planning on having the surgery. they are great. we can discuss important issues with each other. beats strangers.

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

ummmm it's better than i expected? i had an open incision so it's different from most. it's not bad at all. my dr. HATES it. he's already claming he's gonna fix it. he's a perfectionist. but i have my life and if i have that scar, fine by me!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes. it's kinda sad. the skinny people constantly acting like i was their best friend. sickening. and i have people telling me all the time how beautiful i am. which is fine but it makes me feel like i was such an ugly creature before!