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

Too scarry to think about it. And family memebers do not like the thought of rearranging internal organs

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

My experience with insurance was short lived. I knew the insurance co. would not pay after talking with them and the insurance person at my husbands office. I am not one for fighting with government or self pay insurance co. I worked for one back in the day and I know what jerks they are and how they make you feel.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

All my health problems came to a head when the last visit with my heart doctor (from a heart attack two years ealier)said that I had to use a cpap machine the rest of my life and that my life was going to be short if I didnt get my BP down (162/110)

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I have had soo many surgeris in the last 5 years I knew that a foreign object was out of the question with the amount of allergies I have. And the bowel problems prohibited the RNY. So the sleeve was the perfect fit.

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?

If you feel confident with the surgeron and know all you can know about the surgery it is in Gods hands. And you would not be doing this unless you felt in your heart it was a way of staying on this earth for many many more years but healthy and happy!

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?

Totally p.o.ed at me. One for not telling them and not letting them talk me out of it and two for going by myself and doing it alone. But this is my fight (with weight) and I had to do it for ME

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

n/a

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

Stay was easy. No suprises. Enjoyed the down time and focus on ME

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

The only complications and really it was more a hassel than a complication is that I am highly allergic to the batidine surgical drape they used in the operating room. I had a sever reaction to it and the tape they used for the wound dressing.

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

After setting the date I was anxious and excited at the same time. I had to fight with my husband on him not accepting the fact that I was doing this but I was doing it for me

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

After surgery I had to learn to eat/drink in very very small amounts and realize that resting and doing what I was told to do was very important. It is a struggle to get in your vitamins and enough protien but you must keep trying. And getting sick is going to be a LEARNING experience. Learn what to eat or not and HOW MUCH

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

I traveled to Texas to have my surgery. This has been a real challenge since I have not had any followup care. I came home with a few meds. that I needed to take for 4 days and that is it. I dont have the blood work to make sure that I am not anemic, I don't know for sure which vitamins to take and where do I go if something happens

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.

I have been pretty lucky in that I have not had a hard time deciffering what I could and could not eat. Red meats are out, salty meats are out and anything acidic (tomatoes, pineapple) are out. But pretty much everything else in very small amounts are ok. I still get frustrated at 5 months out that when I am really wanting something sooo bad and eat one piece and thats all I can eat then get sick from it but that too is a learning experience and I am learning to move past it. I am sure that I could be alot more strickt on what I eat but I plan on being happy AND healthy the rest of my life and learning to eat anything is a goal I want to achieve

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

My activity level was slow at first. I was able to get around easy enough but I found out I tired easy. No pain or anything like that but the "Wall" would come and I would have to take a nap. 30 minutes of rest and I was up and going again. I have found this true even now. But the wall is not as tall. A 10 minute rest with my eyes closed and I am good to go.

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

I take the bariatric multi chewables, Caltrate 600 and sublinguial vitamins 2xs a day and really can tell when I do not.

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?

My biggest complaint since surgery has been the hair loss. I have had to have a plumber snake my shower drain out 2 times since Feb. He says its nothing but hair, my hair. Thank goodness I had a supper thick head of hair. My hair dresser is even amazed at the amoount of hair loss. It was not so bad at first (3 mo) but in the last 2 mos I have feel like it am a chemo patient losing their hair. I was told this is only going to last a short while longer and it (my hair) will grow back

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

Really, I think that this was the easiest surgery I have ever had. I am glad that I did it. Now the learning process is where it will be a challenge. What I can and can't eat and how much. Sometime you forget that you are not like you where before and eating is not the center of life. You eat to live not live to eat.

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

I have 4 holes that go horizontal across my abdomin just above my belly botton. They are small and I think they will disappear with time. Great job doc.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Friends have noticed my weight loss. They are all very careful not to eat infront of me.