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

I have been hearing about bariatric surgery for about 20 years. At first it really scared me I think because it was so new. I did know so people who had surgery at that time and did very well. I did not qualify for surgery at that time no health problems and not 100# oover weight.

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

I did not have any problem getting approved for surgery. The only advice I would give someone is to get documentation from previous weight loss attempts, get as many medical professionals to write letters for you on why they believe you would benefit from this surgery and document every thing.

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

My fist meeting with Dr. Nye went great, he is a very good Doctor and put all of my worrries away instantly. We talked about the amount of weight I wanted to lose and he told me he felt the best surgery for me would be the RNY. Everyone in his offfice were very nice and very helpful in answering all of my questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Going on line to Obesityhelp.com has been the best motivator I could have asked for. Seeing results of other people and reading testimonials was really a turning point for me.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

When I first saw the Dr I told him I wwanted the lap-band he told me he would do it but he felt with the amount of weight I needed to lose the RNY would be 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 scared about having surgery but I am very dedicated to God and put all my faith in him to see me through. It was not an easy dission for me and I am sure it is not easy for aanyone that is going through it but Learn all you can about your surgeon and put your faith in his hands. You will be glad you did.

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?

My family has been great. My husband has truely been my inspiration, my son has been very supportive aand my daughter is hoping to have surgery in the next couple of months so she has been a blessing to me.

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

I am self employed so I don't have a boss to answer to. I was out of work about 3 weeks.

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

I was hospitalized 2 days. The best advice I can give is as soon as posible get up and walk. It really does make you feel better and it keeps you from getting so sore. The hospital stay was very busy, there was always someone new coming in to check on you and to make sure I had everything I needed. The hospital staff were very helpful and very professional (and very nice) The only things that I needed while there was personal items (toothbrush, tooth paste, soap and clean undies) I took pajamas but did not use them,b/c they perferred the hosipal gowns.

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

No complications to date and I am 10 days post op.

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 am now three weeks and three days post-op and I feel great. I have lost a total of 37 pounds yea me !!!! I am beginning to feel like a new person. I Honestly did not know I felt and looked as bad as I did. People are starting to notice and are asking me what I am doing to lose weight. Of course I tell them all about WLS and how I was insired by Obesity Help.com. Dealing with stress has been another issue. Sometimes I feel myself spirling downward and when I do I go on-line and read how everyone else is doing and that helps more than any thing. I talked to Dr. Nye a little about stress on my last office visit and he told me to hang in there until he sees me again and see how I feel then. I will see him again on the 13TH. Today I feel so good that I feel he was right to ask me to wait. There have been times when counting to 10 and even 20 did not seem to help but I have found for me staying focused is the answer. Read books, take a walk, call a friend do anything but feel sorry for myself.

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

Today I am one month post-op I have lost a total of 27 pounds (yeah me) I feel great! Every day it gets a little easier. Some days I had a hard time dealing with the ups and downs of having surgery. I has been hard for me to eat 1 to 3 ozs of food 3x daily. I am able to get all my fluids in and I make sure I get all my protien. Dr. Nye said I am doing great, aand that was all I needed to hear.

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

I live in Gulfport Ms and I choose to go to Pensacola Fla for surgery. It is a 2 hour drive for me but I feel it worth the trips I have to make. I am really pleased with the care I recieve from Dr. Nye and his staff.

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.

The first week after surgery I was on clear liquids only. The second week was liquids like broth, sugar free puddings, gatorade, strained cream soups, strained oatmeal etc. The third week soft foods ( eat slow and chew, chew, chew). Chicken (baked/no skin)Vegies, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, grits or cream of wheat, tuna, Week for he said I can experiment with different foods and I can eat anything I can tolerate except beef and pork.

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

1st week after surgery I was only able to walk one half mile 1x daily, I now walk 1 mile 2x daily. I have now joined a fitness center and I can walk 1.5 miles in 45 min. I will walk on treadmill for one week and then I will have a trainer to help me in other areas.

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

I now take Chewable vitamins and I get B-12 injection 1x monthly.

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 think the worst part for me was around weel 3 I started getting real edgy. On week 4 Dr Nye put me back on Celexa I feel better already.

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

The worst part was waiting for insurance approval, then waiting for the doctor appointment, and waiting for the surgery day. After surgery the worst part was staying home (I'm used to working).

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

MY SCAR IS ONLY ABOUT 3 INCHES LONG NOT BAD AT ALL.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I AM ALMOST 8 MONTHS OUT AND I FEEL I HAVE DONE VERY WELL. I AM DOWN 95 POUNDS AND FEEL GREAT. I AM 6 POUNDS FROM THE 100 POUND MARK AND THE LOSS IS ALLOT SLOWER NOWER BUT I FEEL SO GOOD I WILL NOT GET DISCOURGED.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

PEOPLE DIFFINANTLY TREAT ME DIFFERENT NOW BUT I KNOW I AM MORE OUT GOING NOW THAN I WAS AT 269.