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

Several years ago a friend looked into having surgery, but because I have a rare blood disorder, I didn't figure that my Heart doctor would approve of me having surgery, but he was the one that sent me to see Dr. George Merriman, II. I was so glad that now I had a hope of being able to do some of the things that I couldn't do before.

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

Dr. Merriman's Office handled it all and I don't quess there was any problems.

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

I was very impressed with him, he came across as knowing what he was talking about, and I had some notes of things that I wanted to ask he so that I could be sure that this was what I wanted to do.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

After I saw Dr. Merriman, I came home and talked to a few of my friends and then I prayed about it and decided that I would have the surgery, because of my health.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided to let Dr. Merriman, decide which one that he thought was 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?

The only fear that I had was that my blood disorder would give me some problems, as a matter of fact, after I came home, with the blood thinner, my blood got to thin and I lost a lot of blood, but it was not because of 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 worried because of the blood disorder, but they were OK with the surgery other than that. They were very glad that I had it done, and now that I am over the worst, they are proud of me. My family & friends were also worried about the blood disorder, but they were suportive about the surgery and my need to get help in order to lose the weight, so that my health would be better, which it is now.

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

Very pleasent stay, I was in the hospital from Monday to Saturday. I brought my own pillow, so that I could sleep better. It also helped on the long ride home to place on my stomuch, to keep it from jarring

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

No

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 felt very good about the fact that I was going to be able to have it done. I really never did have any anxiety about the surgery.

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

I had very little problems, until I had the lost of blood, but that is not something that most people have to worry about.

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

120 Miles, I was in the hospital with the blood problem on the day of my first visit, so I did not go for it, but all other visits I have made with no problems. It did not affect my aftercare

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.

First it was just clear liquids, then liquids, then I started to add some solid food. There has been some foods that I could not have at the first, but I now can eat just about anything. I had no problem with my dietary tolerance, I just eat what was on my list that the Doctors office had given me.

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

Very little, except to walk around on the inside of the house at firsts, then when I was in Rehad after the Blood Problem, I walked around the halls, several times a day. I have also started to so swimming in a friends pool and can tell that has helped me a lot

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

Muitivitamin, Tums, and Protein supplement (as I can Tolerance them)

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 and hair loss I very seldom have the dumping now, but the hair loss it still there. I just tried not to eat any more that I could, I would feel it at the top of my pouch and stop eating then. The hair lose, I am take some supplements for it and trying to drink some protein supplements also

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

pain for the first few days, but it was not real bad

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

Friends and family

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

I had it done with only 5 small incisions

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes