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

a bit skeptic. I thought it was only for people who were 2-3hundred pounds overweight. I was surprised I qualified with my 80lbs overweight, but with several co-morbities.

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

patience. Insurance takes a while.

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

The first time I saw the doctor was at a seminar at Sacred Heart. I was impressed with the presentation, graphics and staff that spoke. I was even more impressed that most of the staff were gastric by-pass patients themselves!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The insurance came through. I felt like the time is now!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Because the insurance only paid for by-pass procedure.

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?

No fears from surgery. I've had so many. But I was totally comfortable with Dr. Lord and his sucess rate too, having done over 1,000 surgeries.

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?

totally supportive. Absolutely

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

NA

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

I was in the hospital for 2 nights, 3 days. The bed was terribly uncomfortable. I was soooo cold all the time. But I walked right away and continued to do so until I walked 27 rounds of the floor which equaled one mile. Bring socks, flip flops, housecoat and makeup/haircare.

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

I developed a fungus from the steri-strips over the suture sites. When I went back to the doctor 1 week after surgery, the areas were red, irritated and very itchy. He prescribed some fungal cream and anitbiotics, which in a week, I developed a vaginal infection and had to call in for diflucan. The fungal areas are getting better and it's been about 10 days.

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

The first few days home I was grouchy and irritated, sad and tearful. I didn't cope well and did lash out to those who were just trying to help me. I did apologize, but feel ashamed of that.

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

slow, I was moving slow. It's only been a little over 2 weeks. Ihad to spend the first few days sleeping upright on the couch in the living room. It was easier for me to get myself up off the couch when I needed to go to the bathroom. I didn't get much sleep at all, still don't. I can't sleep on my side yet because it hurts. I am very tired because of this.

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

Only 30 minutes away.

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.

I can only describe the first 2 weeks. I ate according to the instructions, protein mostly, cottage cheese, many, many eggs, yogurt, and then later added tuna fish, some soups. Lately, I feel hungry.

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

nothing right now, but I try walking every couple of days, even been to the store a couple times.

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

Protein shake, UpCal D, Benefiber, Flintstone vitamins

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?

definitely sleep disturbance, still happening

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

I'm beginning to feel hungry now. I am worried about that.

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

the website, and the monthly meetings at sacred heart. I look forward to that.

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

scars are ok, ugly right now because of the fungus. They are quite small.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None yet, steadily 1/2-1 pound a day.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not yet