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

Well I first found out about Bariatric surgery, when I read something in the Great Falls tribune about a permanent weightloss method without dieting.They had a Doctor come to town and hold a seminar about it. So I went and seen about it. The Doctor was Dr.Milton Owens of Orange,CA and he was a very sympathic man.He explaint everything so great that I was hooked the minute he finished his seminar. I was supposed to have surgery down in California but my Insuarnce didn't approve out-of-state surgery.So I was reaserching around Montana and found Dr.Rohrer, who I'm going to see nov 14 th.

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

Well I have the tuffest time getting approved with my Insuarnce company.But I won't give up. My Doctor wrote 2 letters to them that it was nessassary and the didn't approve me for out-of-state surgery,but haven't answered yet on the in state surgery. My Advice: Never ever give up...

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

Dr.Rohrer is a very nice man and He answered all my questions and I will definately have him as my Surgen and aftercare Doctor.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Well I tried loosing weight again with weight watchers and lost about 70 lbs last year and it all came back. So I decided I had enough of the Jo-jo dieting and I want to go ahead with it. Also two of my Friends had it done and they feel good about it and I think it will definately benefit me in the long run.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Well the Doctor and I made this dession togehter.

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?

Well if I get to have surgery done, I'm realy scared of getting put to sleep. I also have read of some site effects and they scare me also.But I have to get trough this for my Family sake.

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 & Friends reacted differently as I expected. My Hubby and Kids are very scared that something could happend and they rather would not have me do it.My Sisters are not to happy about me trying to go thru with this either, they'r both very worried. My Friends are a bit diffycult too.There are some who say go for it and others who say please don't just think if something goes wrong. So I really weighing all of that and finally have to come to a desicion whats best for me.

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

Well that is easy. I don't have an employer at the moment.

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

The First Day was not good but then I got up and moved and everything went well. I was in the Hospital for 5 days... Bring Yourself and support.They provide everything else...

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

No Complications from Surgery as far as I can tell..

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 was very affrait and spooked and on the day of surgery I wanted to not go trought with it because I am affrait to be put under..

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

This is a trial and error kinda senerial, because You need to see what and what You can't eat....It's somewhat hard. Try the food items again and again to find out if Your not allergic to them now...

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

19 miles and it doesn't affect my aftercare at all...

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.

What I Could eat : Broth,Mashed Potatoes w/Gravy,Chicken Noodle Soup, Jello,Cottage Cheese,Potatoes soup and other kinds of creamed soups,Sugar free/Fat free Popsciles,Pudding,Yogurt and Fat free Chips for salt intake,Saltines,Cantalope,Eggs in all forms,Salisbury Steak and some of the Lean Cuisine Meals and sometimes even Bananas.Tried some Hot Dogs,Steak,Chicken,some Veggies like Peas and Beets,cooked carrots.Have been trying Protein Bars but there not great tasting... Finally after 5 1/2 months I beable to eat Fish,Crab and Shrimps again I am very happy about this...Been also eating lots of Veggies and Salads ********************************************************************** What I Can't eat :Hamburger Meat & Steak(sometimes doesn't sit well),Any form of Hamburger Helpers.The Protein Shake makes me kinda gag. What I can Drink : Ice Tea,Hot Tea,Orange Juice,Tomato Juice,Milk, Crystal Light & V8 diet Splash are great,Water ( I can keep it down now),Diet Powerade is excellent also and I can drink Coffee now too..Only took me 5 months to do soo... What I can't Drink :Real sweet stuff. Update on diet: I can basicaly eat everything accept of Processed Hamburger meat,still don't drink any sodas unless it is in a mixed drink (what takes the cabonation out of it anyways)...

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

My activety level was higher.I started to walk...

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

Flintstone Kids Chewable Vitamins and TUMS for Calcium... starting next week with Body Fortress Protein Shakes.. Protein Bars... I upgraded to Prenatal Vitamins instead of the Flintstones.Still taking Tums and eating lots of food with Protein. Needing to take Ironpills... Update on Medz : I now take 1 Mulitivitamin enegry,1 slow release Iron tablett and 2 Viactiv 500mg Calcium chews...

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 First Day home and I had a dumping syndrome and believe me You don't want them....They are the worst pain. Slowed down with eating and drinking to fast. Well starting to loose some Hair now,need more Protein intake. Still Dumping after i eat certain foods.

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

Getting Put Under Anesthisia...I am Terryfied about that..

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

We know have a Supportgroup in Great Falls Montana and meet every 4th Thursday in the months at 6:30-8:30 pm. We Meet at the Benefis West Campus in the Lewis & Clark room...

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

I have 5 little incissions...( laprascopic done ). My scar's healed nice ...

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Been on a plateau at the Moment,seems like I keep going up and down between 5 lbs and I think I need to eat more Protein...

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I haven't seen any different in that,cause I get along with anyone. Well 6 months out and 95 lbs less,yes People treat You different now I gotten compliments from lots of different People and it feels great.