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

2001 PCP provider named Dr Janie

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

my insurance company, blue cross blue shield hmo are some of the saddest excuses for humans I have ever met, they consider morbid obesity as a cosmetic surgery,, when will they come into the reality of the year 2005? They refuse to pay for anything. They'd rather save money. Than to save lives.

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

very good, he took one look at my stomache and told me "no problem" I can fix you. I started crying with gratitude. Listen during the first meeting but first choose a surgeon who is not afraid of fixing you. By that I mean ask the question before your first meeting of how much can you weigh ?

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was dying. My financing came through.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr Gorospe in Tulsa Oklahoma explained the different procedures but the procedure he specializes in is the one I had researched as being the right one 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?

At 420 pounds I was a walking "dead" person,, what did I have to lose by having the surgery. I would die trying to get my life back. Being free from the failure of weight loss/gain is second to my salvation experience. It is NOT your fault if you are obese, the surgery will "fix" you

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?

Grandparents were very negative as were several friends at church. But everyone is now supportive after the surgery. Morbid obesity is a disease that we suffer from because of a hormone pumping into your blood malfunctioning you don't have a chance at successful weight loss without the surgery.

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

My employer is family, and they co-signed a loan for the surgery. I was off work 10 days.

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

Hospital stay was for 6 days The most important thing to bring is a supportive support person to stay with you while you are at the hospital.

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

Yes, my pouch sprung a leak and prayer warriors were called from all over the world to pray for my healing. I was scared but the pouch cotterized just in time before having to go back to 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?

My surgery date was scheduled quickly since I was cash. The only time I felt anxiety was during the pre-op testing. How did I cope with the anxiety, Prayer and constantly telling myself this too shall pass Taking one breath at a time

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

Lots of emotions Things that didn't use to bother you will during the first two months. You learn how to deal with your emotions instead of feeding the emotions closed. Getting around slowing, I recommend a toilet seat riser so you won't strain to pull yourself off the toilet. Water will become your new friend. Your family will not understand your feelings unless theyhave had the surgery

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

3 hours and 30 minutes Aftercare is okay, once you start driving yourself

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.

Dietary tolerance goes from water to where I am now, meats, cheddar cheese, atkins milk, nuts, and so forth. Off limit foods are: chewing gum lettuce breaded foods real potatoes sugar in excess of 9 grams per day caffeine(coffee/soda) carbonated water alcohol Now at 2 years out I eat all the food groups, other than alcohol, chewing gum and carbonated water.

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

very low activity level,, during the first two months, I needed a nap in the middle of day,, was on no lifting After last month being month 5 lifting was allowed and exercising At 2 years out I now recommend very little lifting ever, not over 5 pounds, to help prevent hernias. At 2 years out I now have alot of energy, as long as I get the right amount of protein in my body. Take your vitamins and calcium.

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

Dr Gorospe has a multivitamin, calcium and iron supplement. Also I take a b12 sublingual, tablet under tongue instead of b12 shot Since I'm no longer going for appointments, I get online and order cheawble vitamins and calcium from www.bbvitamins.com

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?

dumping=only when I ate something with too much sugar and or caffeine such as a frappachino.. that was a no no for sure Hair loss was from month 5 thru 9, then it grew back in. Vomiting only when my pouch got stopped up with a food not chewed up enough., still at 2 years out:) but not a big problem.

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

My support system at home(husband) was completely clueless but come to find out since I've "opened" my eyes he was clueless anyhow, regardless of the surgery or not..

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

I am a member of a support group on yahoo for people who had their surgery the same month as me It helps to read what you are going thru by other people going thru the same things

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

my scars are fine and less ugly than I expected (since I had had 2 c sections and 1 belly button hernia, the scar thing wasn't even a thought for me) I now have a complete scar from breast bone to pelvi and accross to both hips, but it doesn't bother me, It's the reason my last hernia was fixed and lots of fat removed.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I stuck at 220 for quiet awile, then after the last hernia surgery I went down to 200 no problem, no i am going between 205 and 220. But I think it's because I've been eating too many carbs.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes, people tell me how wonderful I look and what a great job I am doing even at 300 pounds, Now at 210 I'm called skinny, and I am treated with more respect.