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

My primary care physican suggested it to me. and I was all for it. I was told I would be dead in a year if I didn't do something about my weight. I was on 26 different medications and oxygen 24/7 so I had to do something

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

I had no trouble with anything

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

I like him from the get go. he was very honest about the surgery. just be honest and up front with the Dr. and answer all his questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

when my family Dr. told me I'd be dead in a year

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My Dr. who did the surgery discussed the different surgerys and we decided on the one that was best for my situation

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 terrified of dying. I wrote letters to my children and grandchildren, gave away posessions that I had. wrote down which of my children got what . I think it is natural to have fears and no matter what someone tells you, you still will have them in the back of your mind, but don't let that stop you from having 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?

my children were all for the surgery, but they new what would happen if I didn't have the surgery. and they were very supportive, after the surgery. because I was so ill and had to spend so long in the hospital, and then 4 months in a nursing home, I was so afraid that they would resent me for having the operation, but they weren't and of course now, after the weight loss, they know it was the right decision

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

I wasn't working. I am disabled

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

I really don't remember my stay. I was in ICU for 14 days, on a resporator. then maybe the last 2 weeks I can remember some. I was there for 5 weeks

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

Yes. 3 days after my gastric by-pass, I got an infection in my new stomach. I had to have emergency surgery and when they did this, my stomach was cut open about 17inches and was about 6 or 7 inches deep. it had to be packed everyday, twice a day. I didn't deal with it very well about the last 2 weeks when I was fully awake. I wanted to die and I cried all the time when no one was around.I just told myself that I would get through this and kept praying.

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 cried alot and cussed under my breath about anyone who came in contact with me. I hated myself for doing this but I don't regret it now.

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

I'm not a good person to ask about the first few weeks. I didn't get to come home from the hospital, I had to go into a nursing home for medical care. when I finally did come home 5 months later, I was so glad to be back in my home anound my personal things, and I could see my grand children. I think every one expects something different, and each person who decided to have any weight loss surgery must deal with it in there own way.

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

I had to go about 70 miles away from home.

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.

Well because I had to have a second surgery, I didn't eat for 115 days, and I didn't drink anything for 110. I had a whole in my new stomach and I had to be fed with tpn at night throught pick line in my arm. once I was able to eat it was just liquids. but now I can eat just about anything. No milk and I love milk, no icecrean, can't eat rice.but there are times I might get 3 bites down and I have to leave the table, and then other times I can eat like normal people but of course smaller amounts. and if I eat something I'm not suppose to of course I have to hit the bathroom

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

My activity level was nothing. I had to start rehab a month after I was put in the nursing home after leaving the hospital. and then I first started with arm weights and leg weights, and then they got me on a walker just a few steps at a time until after another 2 months I could walk by myself with a walker

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

I take a calcium tablet, a pre natal vitamin, a vitamin B-12 sub- lingual tablet, an iron tablet

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?

well I guess I had alot of neausa and dry heaving. but because I didn't eat or drink for so long, I had to take , well I got meds for that through a pick line and also my pain meds every 4 hours. I had beautiful long thick hair, and I am sad to say, I lost mose of my hair, and we had to cut it off while I was in the nursing home. It is gradually still coming back in but it's very thin. and I always loved my long hair and always got complements on it

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

having the second surgery and putting my family throught it. Being unconcisious for 14 days, and not knowing how family from out of satate was called in because they didn't think I was going to make it.

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

I have no after care support. the offer it at the hospital, but it's to far away to attend the meetings.

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

my scar is 17inches long and is very ugly. no it is nothing like I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I can walk, drive, play with grandkids, go dancing,

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

no not at all. I guess because I stopped going out anyplace where I knew people since 1999. I only went to my doctor's appts