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

My OB doctor recommended it after the birth of my daughter.

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

I didn't have any complications with approval. I was approved after first letter.

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

I was quick but informative. My doctor was at the time the only doctor in Pensacola who did the surgery so he was and still is very busy. The best advise I can give is be informed and take a list of questions with you to make the most of you time.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Tired of feeling lousy all the time. Wanted to live to see my daughter grow up.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Doctor decided but I agreed.

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'm not worried about complications or dying. I'm more afraid of having a breathing tube placed before I am asleep. I had to have one during my baby's delivery and it had to be placed with me awake because I couldn't breath lying down due to asthma complications in the last trimester. It was the most horrifying experience of my life and I want them to do this one after the knock me out this time. (They did)

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?

Sister was excited but my mother was afraid because she almost lost me the last time I had surgery (C-section). But they are behind me 100%. My sister wishes she could have it done too but she doesn't have insurance and my mother's diabetes is so far advanced that her doctor doesn't think she should have the surgery.

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

The hospital I stayed at wasn't really equiped for my type of surgery, but at the time it was the only hospital my insurance would cover for both the hospital and the anesthia. I was in the hospital for five days. My overall experience was okay but could have been better. My biggest recommendation for things to bring is toothpaste and a toothbrush. It really helped on those days when I couldn't drink anything and need to refresh my mouth.

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

None except allergy to morphine.

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 was very excited as the time grew close. I wrote a letter to my one year old daughter so that if something happened during surgery she would know how much I loved her.

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

My biggest difficulty was that I couldn't be a full time mother. I had to rely on others to lift my daughter into my arms. I was sore and hated sleeping on my back but that passed quickly.

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

About 25 miles from my home.

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'm gradually trying different things and the only restriction is not to eat red meat until 6 months post-op. The hardest thing at 2 months is everything is bland tasting. I do try a lot of different things to overcome this. The only food I've had a really bad time with was the first egg I ate at 3 wks post-op. It set like a brick all day. Needless to say, I'm very careful of eggs right now. Now that I'm a year out I still have trouble with steak but I have no dietary restrictions. I eat what ever I want and can tolerate.

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

It took me about 5 wks before I felt like I could conquer the world or at least Wal-Mart without a handicart. At 7 wks I felt terrific and my energy level increased every day. At a year I can do all the things I could at 20 (I just turned 43). I've gone backward in the aging process

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

I too 2 chewable Flinstone's Complete vitamins and 2 Tums everyday along with my 2 doses of Zantac liquid after surgery. At about 2 months I started taking prenatal vitamins and Nexium. I still take them and 2 Tums everyday. I also take B-12 shot (1 1/2CC) monthly.

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 lost hair from about 3 to 6 months. It all grew back and then some. I've only dumped twice and don't have any problems with the others.

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

Nothing

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

I'm a member of the Down Sizing for Life support group that meets every month on the second Tuesday at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, FL. This group has been both a support and a crutch when I need a boost. Anyone considering surgery or have had surgery should join a group if available. You won't regret it.

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

Not bad. It's a little longer than I expected but not as bad as my C-Secion scar. On Sept. 23, 2002 it will be taken care of during my tuck.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I hit several plateaus which can be very depressing because you can't fall back on food when it happens. This is a good thing because you don't binge and gain all your weight back like you use to. The longest plateau was 2 1/2 months (month 10-12). I was very discouraged. But in the last month I've lost 9 pds. The nice thing is that I didn't gain any of the weight back whick is what happened before surgery.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really but then I'm not out in the public much. I was carded once so that made me feel good for a 42 yr old.