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

I have a niece and cousin who had bariatric surgery in the past 5 years; however, I would not consider it when it was open. Once lap became known to the general public, I decided to go for it.

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

Not bad, but if I had not had the policy, I would have dropped it when they told me I was not covered. God watches over me, the 1st call I made, they told me yes, so each time they said no after that, I was sure they were wrong,,,, and they were.

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

A bit of a let down. I did so much study of the process prior to the surgery, it was anti climatic and I really didn't have questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Desperation! I feel often, hurt all over and am on medication I won't need after losing the weight. I want to be free of this prison I live in.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

12/7/02 The surgery with the band was discussed when I went in to see the doctor and now my family physician has patients planning on this procedure. I do not believe it will ever be as succuessful as the roux-n-y as there is no bypass for malabsorption. In my opinion, the doctors still do not have it right -- the band is a method to cut back on the consumption of food, but does not address the absorption, so what happens as the body continues to absorb everything consumed. Eventually as with all starvation diets, the body will refuse to lose any more fat. This surgery goes back to the old idea that fat people are fat because the eat huge amounts of food. In my case, this was not the fact.

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?

12/7/02, My fear was I was slowly dying from the overweight and what it was doing to my body; I was going to die anyway, at least surgery gave a fighting chance.

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?

After watching the struggle over the years with the weight, they were supportive and relieved I may have an answer to the problem. A friend at church was so excited I was going to have the surgery and when I told her how embarrased I was to have to resort to surgery, she told me I was courageous to be willing to go forward! That was the final comment that put me at ease.

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

They did not know why I was having surgery for a couple months after I returned. I just could not bring myself to tell.

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

Very pleasant, in on Monday, 7:00 a.m. surgery, took 1-1/2 hours. Out on Wednesday, 1:30 p.m. I walked the halls on Monday at 11:00 p.m.

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

None

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 fought with great tenacity to have the surgery, complete all the requirements, receive approval and get a date without any doubt that this was the way to proceed. But after the date was set, I had continuing fears and doubts and on the gurney being wheeled into the operating room, panic set in, my blood pressure dropped (which is what happens when I'm afraid) and I kept thinking this could never be changed. When I got to the operating room, beautiful Christian music was playing and I said a prayer to God thanking Him for the support and comfort the music gave. At that moment, I knew everything would be fine.

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

I was tired (what else is new) and struggled to keep all the instructions straight. I tried to be creative in preparing food as allowed (I made my own chicken soup from chicken broth rather than canned cream of chicken, etc.) This helped me keep on target. At 2 weeks, something didn't set well and I threw up every hour for 12 hours (boy did my sides ache from the muscles used to vomit). Other than that one time, I had no problems.

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

It was at a hospital in Toledo, about 4 miles. I was fortunate.

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 have been able to digest everything I eat and have not experienced dumping; however, I did not eat a single piece of candy or sweets for 3-1/2 months and now, if I eat any, I'll have one piece of chocolate candy (like a Godiva truffle) in a day, or a 1/2 t of frosting from a cake with a T of cake. When I want a snack, I eat baked Doritos (10 at most) or 5 pretzels, etc. I also find almonds (15 at a time at most) very gratifying.

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

Minimal, with the osteo-arthritis, I could barely move prior to surgery. After 6 weeks, I started aquatic physical therapy for 20 session and it was WONDERFUL! My son mentioned the other day how much faster I move and I can now get on the floor and back up again with minimal effort. I FEEL GREAT!

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

1 mega multi soft-gel Vitamin & Mineral supplement "Super 2 daily by Carlson" 1 soft-gel Ultimate Iron by EnymaticTherapy (also has folic acid & B12) 1 High petency Biotin (5 mg) which stopped the excessive hair loss which came 4 months after surgery. 1 Vitamin C, 500 mg 2 800 mg Tums 1 200 mg Celebrex (taken after the Tums) 1 1.125 mg synthroid I'm going to start Vitamin E to try to help the dry skin problem

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?

Hair Loss, big time - stopped when I started Biotin Exhaustion at 3 months... stopped with a B12 shot monthly and now the Ultimate Iron seems to suffice with the high levels of folic acid and B12

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

The embarressment and the constant fear (which still persists) about every bite of food I eat will cause me to gain back the weight.

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

Once a month, last month I learned about Biotin for hair loss prevention

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

Small, 6 1/2 inch, they are red and raised.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

In a plateau now, lose about 2 lbs in 10 days, drives me crazy. I'm going to the gym next week.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Are you kidding... absolutely!! People who haven't seen me in a while tend to stare at me and try to figure out what is different. We had a dedication at the sanctuary today and I had rave notices on how great I looked... it was so nice!! But the best part is how good I feel. People keep telling me not to lose "too much weight", they don't realize I still weight 227 lbs. and am only 5'3" tall.