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

I'm not sure where I heard of surgery as an option. It was when lap band first became popular. I was excited about what I heard of lap bands. All I knew of the gastric bypass was of stories from ladies that had it back in the 1970's. And of course the usual horror stories from friends.

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

I went to see Dr. Mark Shina for a seminar/consult and his wonderful staff did all the hard work. I left that to their capable hands and other than doing all the standard proof of prior attempts of weight loss I don't think I had to do more than that for my insurance plan. Though Dr. Shina wanted to make sure I was healthy enough for surgery, he had me see a Cardiologist, Vascular Surgeon and a Pulumatory Specialist. I did everything I was asked to as I knew it was for my own good. I put the entire ideal of surgery out of mind. I refused to fret over whether or not if I would have problems getting the surgery covered w/my insurance plan. I knew I met all the requirements so I just went with the flow. Afer 10 months Jamie from Dr. Shina called me one morning asking if May 26, 2009 would be a good day for my surgery! I think it was just about 1 year from my seminar/consult to actual surgery. I don't think that was that long of a wait as I had to visit all the other doctors too.

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

The 1st meeting was a group seminar followed by a private one on one meeting with Dr. Shina. I had been considering the Lap Band for several yrs so I had lots of info on both surgerys. After talking w/Dr. Shina and he explained to me with Lap Band I could not have any carbinated soda's! After all my research I did'nt find out that nugget of info! That was completely unacceptible to me as I have several sleep disorders (Narcolepsy, Sleep Apena & RLS) diet coke was my "get me through the day drug". So I chose Gastric Bypass due to that and never looked back. But Dr. Shina was very thorough in His seminar and was very open and completely upfront with all information. I can only say anyone looking to have this surgey is do your own research if you can before going to a seminar as that could also trigger another line of thought for you that you may not have looked into, such as my problem with carbonated soda's. Be open to suggestions and learn as much as you can then you can be better prepared with what you want to find out from the surgeon. And I believe that will go to show the surgeon you are someone that really needs this surgery and you are truly serious about this life changing event becoming a reality.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Frustrated after last Weight Watchers attempt and the 50lbs that came with it. I also knew I was truly killing myself with food and if I wanted to live to see my grandchildren I knew I had to do something. So for me it was surgery or death, that simple. I chose to live.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

As mentioned in question #5, it came down to Lap Band and NO MORE COLD CAFFINATED DIET COKES or Gastric Bypass and I could keep my Diet Coke! But also it seemed to be the better fit for me and my general personality. Lap Band seemed a less medically invasive prodcedure as far as surgery was concerned. Though it was more invasive in my lifestyle what with the fills every so often. As opposed to the more medically invasive Gastric Bypass that was less invasive in my lifestyle. Gastric Bypass was really a much better fit 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?

I had no fears until the last 2 days before surgery, which happened to be Memorial Day Weekend! Nothing like drinking clear broth during the bar-b-que kickoff season opener! But seriously those last 2 days I was concerened about dying on the table. This was my first and only surgery. I had complete trust in Dr. Shina but I also know how life can be too. Looking back it was the BEST thing I have ever done for myself and my family! I know my family were scared for me during surgery but we all have faith in God and my Doctor. We just put it in God's hands and knew this was something I had to do or I would have eventually have died from some complication of obesity. If I died on the table then at least I died trying to do something about my weight and I'd rather that than to keel over eating dinner.

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 husband and daughter are my strongest and loudest supporters! I could not have done this without their support and their strength. Most people that know me, know of my struggles with my weight were also supportive and worried. My family have always been there for me through this entire procedure. Though I did go to my 1st meeting w/Dr. Shina alone, my husband had just started a new job and our daughter was away at college. But they were there suffering with me while all the neighbors were cooking out that Memorial Day weekend. They would take little jaunts to McDonalds or wherever to eat those last 2 days. And I was never alone at the hosptial.

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

I am a stay at home wife/mother.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

It only had about 10-12 people at the seminar so it was small and more relaxed. It was nice to see others and hear some of their questions, which did help me to decide on Gastric Bypass as I was there for the Lap Band. And like I said I had done hours of research on various procedures, however someone else may have asked a question I hadn't thought of or had a differnt prospective than I did. Hearing others talk helped me. I believe that is why I am glad I attended a seminar and consultation as opposed to just a Surgeon Consultation.

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

Hospital stays are just that, hospital stays. Though mine did have some excitement due to an errant mental patient. As a result of this patents actions our entire floor had to be evacuated and we were relocated to a wing on the maternity floor. I was in the hospital for 5 days, Dr. Shina had said hospital stays are usually 4, maybe 5 days. I had an extra day as I had a slight fever. The most important things to bring, SOCKS and someone to stay with you as I found overnight nursing staff seemed to have become rather used to having their patients asleep and seemed more than a little resentful when I needed them the one night I sent my daughter home.

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

Only a slight fever and a weird heart beat thing. As to "deal with them" well what can you do? You just do as the Doctors says, I dealt with it. I stayed there and followed orders.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

Again after I got the date in February 2009, I told my husband and promptly put it out of my mind. I don't think I even told my daughter until she had Spring Break at least a full month after I got the call. I honestly did not dwell on it at until the last 2 days before surgery.

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

I was much weaker than I felt. If that makes sense, but to explain I'd feel like getting out but I'd tire out way sooner than I thought I should. I'd get weak and shaky feeling when I did do too much. I hated the drain port thing that is still attached and you have to empty out, eek! I'm not good with things like that. And I had to watch how I drank water, that was the hardest of all things for me, to gage how much water to actually put into my mouth so as not to put too much and swallow. That was weird.

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

I had a local hospital just across town. After I was dischared I also had a visiting nurse come to the house every day and then every other day for 2 weeks. In addition my daughter was home for summer break and my husband works 5 minutes from home and my next door neighbor is a nurse. So I was fortunate to have a lot of support at home too.

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.

As I explained in question #4, water! I'd take a drink as I had everyday of my life since being weaned and it was too much! It nearly choked me and then I felt so bloated! It was like I drank a gallon of water instead of one mouthful. I found I can't eat out and then take the curvy route home! Talk about feeling sick, yuk! I can't seem to enjoy rice dishes anymore, I get quesy and just feel like I would be happy to throw up, though I do not throw up. I was so happy not eat soup all the time anymore! I never thought I'd get tired of soup. But I followed all the guidelines regarding what to eat and when to eat those foods. Personally I can eat just about most things as before just not as much.

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

I was raring to go. First up and down my drive way and eventually up to the corner and back. My husband was so happy during our first walk down the driveway, he said "I can't believe how you are walking and so soon after surgery, your face isn't red and your not gasping for air". Bless his heart, being obese isn't all about me, but for my family too. I knew he was worried about me and my weight but he never ever made a demand about it. He always loved me. But I never thought of him looking at me 300lbs red faced and panting for air as we walked before. Now I feel so ashamed of how I made my family worry about me.

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

Super B Complex, Calcium Citrate w/Vitamins C & D, 2 Prenatal Vitamins, High Potency Iron.

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 did not have any side effects after surgery. About 2 monts after surgery I did have a bad bout of nausea after eating Rice. I have only thown up once since surgery and that was a year & 1/2 after surgery. You just don't know how certain foods are going to hit you until you try them. When I'd get that nausea feeling, I'd sit still with a cool rag and a handy plastic shopping bag just in case. The most that happen to me was the feeling of I am going to throw up, but all I could produce was a lot clear spit.

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

For me it was going home with the drain port still attached, as I am not good with gross stuff! Just looking at that blood and sometimes a clot or two made me feel gross. But the truly one and only part of the entire surgery was for me having my visiting nurse remove that drain port!!!! I must stress it was NOT PAINFUL, truly it wasn't at all painful. But I could actually feel it moving in my chest area, ugh! And I would tense up, because I was grossed out and then it would get stuck!!! Oh my God! But eventually it was successfully evacuated from my body, thank God! So there you have it, my worst part of having baiatric surgery was probably 10 days after the surgery! I did not have any complaints about the surgery. After talking with Dr. Shina I knew what to expect and I had no other expectations other than what he told me.

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

I started off going to the monthly support meetings at the hospital, but I stopped as winter blew in. I have not started back up going to the meetings. I should I know, but I may try another location as I really don't feel like a lot of the other folks there. Its just not a good fit for me.

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

I really did not have any expectations as to my scars, I knew there would be as many as 3 to 5 of them and thats what I got. Some of my smaller scars have already faded and I couldn't tell you now just exactly where they are. The largest and (I guess) the deepest is still with me, but thats just fine with me, its a little reminder of what I had to do in order to live a long and happy life.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had one resently and I know it was my fault too. I stopped drinking the protien drinks and was eating a few too many sweets. So I'm back with protien drinks, I have found they break up better with bottled water, I don't know why but that and my GNC cup works for me. Before I hated to drink them and get a little clump of powder, ugh! Yes another gross out moment for me! It doesn't take much, a few clumps in my drink, having something wiggling in my abdomen as its being pulled out, and knots. And I have limited my sweets!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

My husband thinks its funny when we leave the house, I'll stop and look at my reflection in our storm door (I currently do not have a full length mirror as I really didn't care before surgery). I still can't believe its me I'm seeing. I think its funny when people don't recognize me. They'll see my husband and wonder where I'm at, then when they realize its me I enjoy seeing there faces. But I'm still Me and most folks still treat me the same as before.