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

I heard about bariatric surgery over 10 years ago and I was scared to death of it, but kept coming back to it and after talking to Dr. Chung about the concerns my husband and I had, he made us feel at ease and answered all the questions we had and I switched from wanting the Lap-band to the gastric bypass and have had great results.

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

My insurance did not pay for the surgery. We fought for over 2 years and was turned down. I would say keep fighting but if they continue to turn you down find a way to pay for it. It is worth the surgery.

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

Dr. Keith Chung, made me feel really at ease and talked on my level of understanding, you know everyday people with not a lot of knowlegde of medical terms. I could tell from the 1st meeting that Dr. Chung was a caring, concern and good christian man and that even after the surgery he cared about your recovery. It made a big difference for me.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Hummm good question..... when you feel you hit rock bottom and you realize you are just functioning and feel you have loss you will to feel. Some might not understand that feeling. But that is where I was at just not feeling on automatic, going though the motions of everyday life and not feel. That is when I knew I had to do something.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Listening to Dr. Chung and going to one of his seminar and watching the film on the different types of weight loss surgery and having him answer questions we had about each surgery. I was planning on the lap band and after the seminar, I choose to do gastric- bypass.

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?

Of course you always think of dying during surgery. I think it's just a normal fear. I just put my fears in the good Lords hands and prayed about it and not worried. It's good to talk to people about your concerns, sometimes that helps as well.

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 family and friends supported my decision, they had their concerns and voiced them to me and I told them what I knew to be the facts and tried to help them understand my reasons for the decision for the surgery. They are all still supportive since the surgery and are amazed at the results I have had so far and the success with no problems at all.

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

My supervisor supported my decision on the surgery, I was up front with him on the who, what, when and where. I was only out of work for 2 weeks. He is impressed with the results and is happy for me.

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

I was in the hosptial for 2 nights and my hospital stay was great. The most important thing to bring is something to read or do cause you get bored in the bed.

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

I didn't have any complications.

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 nervous about the surgery, but ready for it. I prayed a lot before the surgery and was fine with it.

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

The first week after the surgery I was a little sore and had gas build up, that in it's self is a bit painful, but you keep walking and work the gas build up out. I bought a recliner to sleep in, i slept there the frist week so my husband wouldn't hit my drain tube in my stomach. I slept better in the recliner and after my drain was taken out, I felt like I could run a mile, had lots of energy.

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

I only had to travel 20 miles, so it wasn't bad at all.

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 followed the chart Dr. Chung gave me and was faithful to it.I didn't have any problems with any food and even now 7 1/2 months later, I can eat anything I choose to eat. I choose to stay away from the fried foods and sugary items and I find I don't even miss them. I am able to eat all the meats, steaks, pork, chicken, fish you name it and I have had no problems at all. I feel really blessed because I haven't had problems.

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

My actvity level increased after the surgery, I found I could walk a good ways without getting winded or having to sit down, I felt I could run a mile or two and I felt like running down the stairs at work instead of walking slowly up or down them. I find I can do more and love every minute of it.

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

2 childrens multi-vitamins chewable and 2 calcium vitamins (600 mg each) I take these at night instead of the morning. i also drink 1 ounce of Monavie.... it is a drink that has 19 fruits and berries and 1 ounce of it has the same at 10 servings of fruits and vegetables. It has a B12 vitamins in some of the berries and I don't have to take B12 for engery.

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 had some hair loss, a lot during the 3rd to 6 months and now it seems to be leveling off. I have only vomited 2 times since the surgery and both were my fault, eating to fast and not chewing like I was suppose to. The only time I have been nauseaed was the time I got a stomach bug. I haven't had any of the dumping problem. I just dealt with things as they happen, get things taken care of and go on.

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

The worst part I feel is the gas pains, other than that nothing... I would do it ALL over agian if I had to.

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

Dr. Chung has a support group that meets the 2nd Thursday of each month. I have been to several of them. I have had to miss a few because my sons play football and the JV games have been on Thursday and when football season is over I plan on attending as many as i can. I feel they are important because Dr. Chung listens to everyone's questions or concerns and answers them and as a group we can see what's going on with others, I guess not feeling alone. Someone either has been there or having a way they have dealt with a problem, just support and help or be helped.

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

5 tiny little holes and better then I thought. Can't hardly tell I had surgery.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none yet

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Funny you should ask that. Yes, people do treat you better. I have loss a few friends, well thought they were friends. It was all right being friends with them and their husbands as long as I was fat, but since losing the weight, they don't want me talking to their spouses.... well they weren't friends in the 1 st place and as far as other people, I feel now that I feel better about myself and my self esteem is better I am now more apporachable. My husband says my smile is believeable again and I am just happier alltogther and that makes me easier to get along with.. I hope that makes sense to who's reading this.