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

I first found out about bariatric surgery from my Health Care Provider.I gave it some thought and researched the information that was given to me.

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

I had a great experience with getting my insurance aproved. I have United Health Care Choice Plus. I work for Cracker Barrel and they have a Nurse Partner Hotline to registered nurses for the employees. I was always being called about my health issues. They were on top of things so getting the approval was very easy for me.

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

My first meeting with my surgeon was great. He was so compassionate and very easy to talk to. When I left his office I felt like I had already known him as a good friend. Thats really important to feel that way. I had spoken with other surgeons and actually they probably do more RNY Surgery but I didn't have that good feeling as I did with the surgeon I choose.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

A guest that comes into Cracker Barrel. After spending some time with Steve and Tris, I made up my mind to go through with the surgery.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I went with the procedure that my surgeon said he would only do on a family member of his...I wanted the same treatment.

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?

I won't say that I didn't have fears of dying....but I didn't think about it until I walked in the hospital. I asked the anesthegis if she promised I would wake up? She said she hadn't lost one yet...I didn't think anymore about it. You have to have committed faith and hold to it.

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?

I didn't really ask my family. I gathered all the information I could and pressented it to the one that wanted to know. My Husband was against it so I just didn't talk to him about it...I made up my mind and I knew he would be there for me no matter what I did. All my family and friends have been so supportive , I've only been home from the hospital 3 days now.

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

My General Manager supports me 100%...he has watched my health decline and understands the importance of me getting better. its 12/12/06 now and I'll go back after the first of the year if I feel like it. No hurry for me to get back..I have a great crew thats holding down the fort.

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

My stay in the hospital was normal I'm sure for some just having a major operation. I didn't bring anything else with me..just the clothes i came with and some toiletries.

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

No complication s from the surgery...I did experience severe side effect or with drawals from an antidepressant I was on and the surgeon took me off of it cold turkey.

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 only had a week in between finding out my surgery date...no anxiety because I knew in my heart I was doing the right thing. You have to know in your heart that surgery is what you want.

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

I'll have to come back to this..only home 3 days for now. Gosh, all I can say is do what your Doctor says..eat what you can, don't over eat, take your vitamins, and I promise it does get so much better.

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

My surgeaon was local so it was very convenient for my family.

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.

will get back to you on this too early to say

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

Everyday my activity level increased. I'ts been 10 months now and I can do most anything I want now.

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

I started off taking A Flinstone Chewable vitamin daily, Trinsicon, Sugar free Tums. Trinsicon(b-12) was a capsule that I had to take apart and swallow the powder....YUCK< YUCK <YUCK couldn't do that forever so I researched a b-12 that I could tolerate. I now take a sublingual B-12 1000 mg per day. Its so simple they just melt under your tongue. You can find them in the vitamin section. I now take TWO prenatal vitamins a day, one in the morning and one at night. This was the result of my hair falling out. The two prenatal vit. stopped that from happening.

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?

The hair loss was a nightmare for me. I've never experienced that before so I freaked out when it started happening. Don't panic...take two prenatal vitamins a day and it will stop your hair from falling out at a rapid rate. The vomiting would only happen when I ate something too fast and didn't chew my food up as I should have.

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

the first 4 days in the hospital....

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

I didn't have an aftercare support group. I wish i Had one but one was not available to my knowledge. I researched everything on the computer as I had questions. It takes a strong person to do what I've done without a support group.

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

I'm very pleased with my scar. It's hardly noticeable. My surgeon did a fantastic job!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Its been 10 months now. This month I have not lost any weight. I'm holding at 132 lbs. I've lost 95 lbs in 10 months.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really.