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

I had a friend who told me about it, she had the surgery two years ago and tried to get me to go with her then. I was too scared. Well within the year she had lost over 170 lbs and looked great. I then started dreaming of how good I could feel and look. So I studied the surgery, prayed and started the approval process, my insurance company was a pain in the butt. However, I did not give up, it took me almost two years and I had to go through the appeals process and then start all over again but I finally got approved and had my surgery 7/31/06.

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

Well this was the struggle....Cigna did not cover this surgery in the state of NC. So I did research on our company policies, it just so happened that although we had Cigna, we were "self-insured" this means that the company could dictate what was and was not covered. I met with our HR representative, dicuss my issues. They in turn contacted Cigna, it took two approval process, this was with two pych and dietician evaluations and almost two year to process, but I was finally approved. Believe me when I say "never give up" the fight is more than worth the reward you will receive.

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

My meeting with the staff and doctor at Villiage Surgical could not have been better. The staff is great and the doctors will answer your questions, whatever they are. Many of the nurses are byactric patients themselves with the before and after pictures. They are GREAT! Dr. Davidson is the bomb.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I finally decide that if I want to see my grandchildren grow and have any kind of life I had to do something. I was getting to the point that I would have become "disable". I don't won't to be so fat that I can't work, play or live. So basically my main reason was survival. I am too old to want to be sexy but too young to want to die.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

It was a decision I left up to my doctor. I wanted what was best for me and my health issues.

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?

With all surgeries you have fears, my greatest fear was not being able to breathe. I have the beginings of COPD and do not like to be put to sleep. The only other fear I had was that my pouch would leak or I would get an infection. (by the way, I did get an incision infection that took a month to heal up).

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?

They were split, my husband said it was up to me. My son did not want me to do it. My mom said she prayed that if it was meant to be I would be approved and if it was not that I not get approved. They are all very supportive now and say they are proud of me and tell everyone how great I am coping with it. Trully, I am, I was worried I would miss the food I once ate, but you know what..... I don't , I am enjoying so many other activities that I don't even worry about meals.

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

My supervisor was proud of me for choosing to do something. He said that he worried about me and my health. You see we work up stairs and with my weight I was out of breathe every morning for about 5 minutes before I could talk to anyone. Now, I talk as I walk those same stairs. I was out of work for 4 weeks, I could have went back in 2, but as I stated before I developed an infection in my incision and had to pack it, the drainage was pretty bad with odor so my doctor gave me an additional two weeks at home.

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

My hospital stay was a little disappointing. I did not get the attention that I needed. My leg pumps quit working and it took 14 hours to get hospital staff to do something about it. I had to wait longer than I should have to get someone to help me out of bed, of which they only did once. I stayed in the hospital for two day. Just bring personal necessities.

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

Infection in my incision, had to pack it twice a day for two weeks, then once a day for about three. It was not a pretty sight, and the odor was bad, but I survived and dealth with it because we have too.

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 did not have any anxiety. I have cope so far terrifically. I feel GREAT!

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

I had wonderful help from my mother, sister-in-law and husband. My mom helped me bath and my sister-in-law packed my incision, my husband did the house cleaning, cooking and grocery shopping. I had to have a large incision because my stomach muscles were so tight that the scopic was not successful. So, if you have to be cut you will need some assistance. IF you don't I think I could have done all the needs I had myself. But it is always nice to have help.

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

My doctor is about 40 minutes away. It did not affect my aftercare. I would have gladly traveled much further.

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 two weeks - liquids, next two weeks full liquids (soups, oatmeal, soupy potatoes, etc.) by the six week I was trying any food, including raw vegetables. Now, I try whatever. My tolerance for meats have takin some getting use too. You really have to chew, chew, chew. I still get the choking feeling from time to time. I have found out that I like spicy foods now. Leave the sweets along! they will make you suffer. Use sugar free frozen treats and sf jello puddings.

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

Well I am 3 months out and now I can stand through a whole football game, walk all around the plant at work. Shop without sitting every 15 minutes. I can move! without pain in my back and legs.

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

I take a childrens chewable multi vitamin twice a day and a calcuim chew twice a day. I also keep a record of protein intake and make sure I get at least 60 grams a day. I want to keep my hair!

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?

I have been lucky, I have not had any side effects (yet), hair loss is no different. I see some in my brush but it is as was before surgery. I remember to keep my protein up!

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

The infection that I got in my incision was the worst of it. But it was tolerable, so all in all I feel I did and am doing great.

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

There are monthly support group meetings at the surgical clinic were my doctor is located. These meeting help you see where you are and were you can go with this. It is always helpful and reassuring to meet with people who have been where you are and to help people get to where you are.

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

It is bigger because of having to be cut instead of scopic surgery. It does not look horrible and will fade to a lighter scare in time. The benefits I am reaping, I would be glad to have a scare down to my knees.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None to date...still fresh out of surgery and going greate.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, but all is good, I have had more complements in the past few weeks. my head is growing. I decide at the beginging that I promised myself and friends that I would not change my attitude towards them and keep my jolly dispostion if they would do the same. I am not trying to out do any of them, nor become better than them. I just want to be healthier and happier.