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

I was looking on the internet & knew a friend who had the surgery....I read as much information as possible & researched the surgeons....Then I knew it was the type of surgery for me....

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

If your depending on OHIP in Ontario, applying is easy....Ask your family Doctor or local hospital where to get the "out of Country Surgery forms." Your Doctor will fill it out.....You might get turned down at first, but tell your Doctor to make it happen....Most of all don't give up!!!!

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

Dr. Kam & all the staff at The Barix Clinic were extremely helpful...They walked me through each step, showed me slides, all kinds of reading material & told me exactly what to expect.....They were very upfront & honest with me.....It really helped me feel comfortable...

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

After I visted The Barix Clinic, I was completely positive about the surgery....It is something that I know will help me lose weight....I will never regret having it done.....

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I talked it over with my surgeron & we decided together which 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?

I was afraid of dying before the surgery from being obese....Never during or after the 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?

They are very supportive about my surgery....It is important to have a strong support team....

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

I work for myself....But as soon as I got out of the hospital I felt like doing things right away....I did go shopping the following day.....I started back at work two days after I was home.....Walking is very important as is resting properly....

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

I loved the Barix Clinic hospital....It was so clean and comfortable...They really make you feel at home...Best of all a few of the staff have had the surgery as well, so you feel so much better seeing how well they have done with it..... I was only in for two days...It was a very relaxing time....They took time to show me how to eat the slower & taught me all about the smaller portions which I enjoyed a great deal...

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

I was lucky enough to have no complications at all...I am still healthy & very energetic....It has only been 18 days and I have lost over 20 pounds....It feels 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 was just so excited & relived it was approaching so fast.....I was glad to be getting to the date finally....Looking forward to my new healthy body....

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

I am only 18 days out of surgery & feel awesome...I have a lot of energy....I have stuck to the liquids most of the time.... I make sure to eat as much protein as possible & try hard to get my 64 fluid ounces in each day....It sounds easy but it is much harder then you think..... It is very important to try to get your foods in....You need to remain healthy well losing weight this way....Also remember to get in lots of walking & plenty of rest.....Don't over do it in the healing weeks.... I have a couple times & regretted it by early evening....Now I make sure to rest and exercise (walk) when I can.....Walking really helps you feel better faster....

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

I travelled seven hours from Napanee, Ontario Canada, to Ypsilanti, Michigan USA.....The surgeon asked me to stay in a hotel until the following week so I wouldn't form any blood clots, due to the long drive.... If you have to stay in a hotel ask the hospital if they recommend certain hotels....Then before your surgery call as many as possible to ask rates for patients who are going to stay at a Doctors request & you should get a discounted rate.... It was very restful staying at a hotel afterward....They brought a fridge into my room to keep my milk & juices cold.... They were very accomadating.... The Barix Clinic even phoned me to check up on me a couple times to be sure I was doing good....They are very caring....

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.

So far, I have mainly stayed with liquids & soft foods or some puree.... I have my braekfast each day which is usually a yoplait yop liquid yogourt, it is very good, with it I have a small protein shake, then a few mins. after instant oatmeal or applesauce.... Mind you I may not eat all of this at the same time...It takes at least 30 minutes to eat these things..... You have to eat slowly.....Sipping slowly.....If there are any chunks, chew it good or it will hurt going down for awhile after.... I went to the movies a couple nights ago & had 5 pieces of popcorn that my son was eating, no butter, no salt.....It went down fine.....But most likely wasn't a great idea.... Lunch is usually soup of any kind....I love creamed soups....I eat a lot of soup....often followed by a fruit cup....or yogourt.... I eat, puddings, jello, mashed potatoes, mashed eggs, applesauce, puddings, yogourt, V8 juice, mashed bananas, all kinds of fruit cups, most importantly protein shakes..... Dinner time is often whatever my family is eating.....I puree it well and eat it....I have had chili, potatoes, corn, broccolli, carrots, meatloaf, pork chops, I tend to take it easy on the meat until after the 42 days..... From 0-21 days you eat mainly liquids, 21-34 days puree, soft foods, protein shakes, 34-42 days is fairly regular foods..... Although each person is different in what they can tolerate....Most say sugars and fats are not easily tolerated....Natural sugars are fine, just the added ones are hard on you......Could cause dumping syndrome.....Yikes!!!!! Moderation is your new best friend....You can no longer gorge yourself on anything you like in any amount....You can eat what you tolerate, but in really tiny portions....Which helps you lose weight......It's perfect....

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

I have been very energetic most of the time....But resting is very important after any major surgery.....As long as you keep walking in between resting so you stay healthy....

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

You have to take a multi-vitamin everyday for the rest of your life....That is very important....I also am going to keep up with the protein shakes as a percautionary measure to keep me healthy..... You can take the vitamins in a liquid form since they are so big in pill form to digest in your new tummy.....either way its a must to take them....

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 have never had any ill effects as yet.....Here's hoping I don't!!!!!

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

The long drive to the clinic....I had a wonderful experience in every way....The drive is long but so worth it....

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

I am forming one in my area....Although a few folks email me and we support each other that way.... It is important to talk to others as you go through this life changing operation....

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

Mine was done through the scope.....There is no scarring and no marks left after the puncture holes healed up....It is exactly as I thought it would look.....

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Just excitement each time I weigh myself.....

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not at all....My son was nervous about it at first.....He is just 15 years of age....But now he is helping me each day making sure I walk & eat like I am supposed to....