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

My Endocrinologist. I was scared to death. It took alot of tortuous months, many long nites studying everything I could get my hands on, and most of all hours of prayer asking for God's blessed guidance to show me the way with this life changing decision that I was about to make.

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

I called and talked to my insurance company about their position on this type of coverage before I even started the process. I couln't bare the let down after I had decidedwd to do it. So that's my advice. I knew all along that It was a covered service with my carrier and what their guidelines were,

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

Great! Very informative. Met with Office manager, then Dietician, then Dr. Weaver. Never felt rushed or belittled. Everyone in office was extremely pleasant. Take a note book and take notes. Get a good nites sleep before hand so your refreshed and clear headed. Don't skip breakfast, you don't want to get irritated, this will be a long appointment.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

God finally gave the peace of mind that I was looking for. All of the mind spinning qustions of Should I, Shouldn't I stopped, and I knew for sure and certain that it was what God had in his Plan for me, because all of a sudden I had perfect peace, when I had been in pure turmoil for over 3 months.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

It is what my Doctor reccomended. He said with someone who had the health problems that I have, it's better to have the RNY bypass because it gives quicker, more stable results.

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 every fear imaginable, because remember, I didn't come upon this myself, my Doctor brought it up. So naturally I was terrified. All I hsd ever heard is people die from these.but, MY advise is all you need to do is study. draw your own conclusions. you will see the good and bad sides and what you can and can not live with and then be able to make up your own mind.

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 did not want me to have it! which made my decision even harder. Espesially since I have 2 degreed R.N.'s in my family and both of them begged me not to have it

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

I am on dissability

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

Very peaceful, 3 days, toothbrush & toothpaste. Deodorant and chap stick.

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

Yes, I had one of the incision sites become infected. Very painful, ended up in the E.R. Doctor had to take out stapes and drain wound and then pack it. I changed dressing 3 times per day.

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 felt like I was on cloud nine. I did not have any anxiety at all.

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

Tired, hard to eat,sore, can't get in all my water or proteins. Pain in back and shoulders from the gas that inserted into your belly at the time of surgery.

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

1 hour away from home. I did not affect my aftercare.

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.

can not eat: Red Meat, Chicken breast, things with tomatoe sauce,corn, milk, spicy foods and chewing up my vitamins makes me sick to my stomach.

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

pretty good after major surgery.

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

Flintstones complete, B12, 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?

I did not have any of these.

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

The infected surgery site.It really hurts.

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

Dr. Weaver's support group. I love our meetings they always special and full of knowledge.

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

The one that got infected looks pretty bad and still is not healed after 3 weeks. The other ones turned out perfect.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I've gone 2 days with no weight loss twice in the 3 weeks since surgery.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not yet.