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

I found out about the surgery through peopke who had already had it. My initial impression was "Ain't no way I am gonna go in and let them re arrange my insides just to lose weight. The dangers of the surgery was another thing that made me have reservations about it.

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

I have Aetna PPo and I was required to do a 6 month supervised weight loss program through my primary care doctor to see if I could lose the weight on my own. After the 6 months was over my PCP faxed all notes from the past 6 months to my Surgeons office ( Dr. Jeffrey Lord ) for them to review and fax to Aetna. My best advice to anyone having to do a 6 month weight loss program with their PCP is to make sure all 4 points are documented on your notes at each visit. these points are: 1. height weight 2. BMI 3. Behavior modification 4. A calorie diet of like 1200. This will make or break whether there is a delay in your paperwork getting approved. All I's have to be dotted and all T's crossed. This is VERY important.

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

I met Dr. Lord at one of his seminars. He was very informative and confident in everything he talked about. Ay his seminar there is nothing that he doesn't go over about the surgery and his confidence in himself as the best Bariatric Surgeon. He is wonderfu!!! Highly reccommend him to anyone thinking about having bariatric surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Meeting with him one on one and having him reassure me I was a great candidate for the surgery and I would do very well with it. I also knew my health problems wouldn't go away unless I lost the weight. Also, Dr. Lords confidence in his work made me feel okay with the whole process. I knew he would be right there for me the entire time.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr.Lord and myself decided which one would be best for me based on my eating habits, etc.

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?

Yes, I was scared at first as I think anyone would be, but I knew that what was meant to be was meant to be. I had to do this so I would live longer. Research your surgeon and find out what his success rate is. Meet with him and see how you feela bout him/her. Your gut feeling will tell you what to do.

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 was very supportive. I had some negative comments that were made, but I learned to ignore them. This was about my life not theirs. I wouldn't have done anything different. My family is very supportive about me having had the surgery and it's funny they are always asking " so how much weight have you lost so far"?

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

My employer was very supportive of my decision to have the surgery. They already knew the reasons I wanted the surgery so I didn't have to really do any explaining. I was out of work exactly 3 weeks.

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

My stay at Sacred Heart Hospitals Bariatric Unit was wonderful. All the nurses were very attentive and the techs also. I couldn't have asked for better care. They truly care about their patients. I would say baby wipes are an important item to bring. They help out if you have an accident. You really don't need much because they have everything you need. Oh chap Stick helps alot.

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

No complications from the surgery.

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

Oh, I was very anxious and as the last few days came upon me I almost thought about backing out. I just ry to think about what I have read on OH about everyones elses experience with Dr. Lord and that in itself would calm my fears and anxiety. Plus.. I am very active on our board and have lots of friends that were there with me the entire way. The OH board works wonders. I highly suggest everyone be a member.

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

Well.. when I got home I thought what in the heck did I do to myself. I was sore and gassy something terrible. Sleeping was a ittle uncomfortable because I have to sleep on my back. I needed help getting up out of a chair and out of the bed. You need to walk, walk, walk and sip, sip, sip. The walking gets rid of the gas in your tummy. Constantly sip on water so you get your fluids in.

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

5 miles

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 haven't had any problems with any of the foods in each stage so far. When I got home from the hospital I couldn't even eat a medicine cup full of food, but as time went by it got a little bit more I could eat.

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

First week after surgery I only walked laps in my house because of the heat outside. The second week we started walkingin the neighborhood. As I am 1 month out now we walk about 1 mile a day.

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

Multi-vitamin- 2 a day Calcium Citrate Lozenges- 5 a day Protein drinks- 60 oz of protein a day Biotin-2000 mg day Zinc 50 mg a day B-12 3000 mg once a week

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?

Haven't had any of these problems yet.

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

The being nervous abou the surgery itself. Having to waddle around feeling like you were blown up like a balloon in your tummy.

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

I go to the support groups every month. This is very good for both pre-op and post-op patients. You learn so much from others.

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

My scars look great.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Still to close to being post -op to be able to answer this question

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes