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

Heard about original "stomach stapling" years ago and thought it was interesting - but at the time I was not as large and not really inter- ested. Heard about new methods from a friend that had it done and was encouraging me to investigate it about 7 years ago - not really interested then either. Really got interested about 3-4 years ago after my pastor had the newer "r-n-y" and really had success with it.

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

My experience was unusually quick & easy! I was surprised... it was covered by the school insurance in Alabama. Transferring jobs to another state to get the surgery was interesting, but the two years in Alabama were worth it! I plan to go back there eventually anyway! Mississippi is soooo backward that it still does not pay for the surgery ... at least BCBS doesn't... the "good ole boys" in MS still believe it is "cosmetic surgery" and unnecessary... evidently some of them must like their women fat and ugly (ha-ha)... but seriously, I would go back to Alabama again to qualify for the surgery if I had to... it was well worth it!

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

The first visit was much like a first visit with any other doctor... nervous... not knowing what to expect... interesting conversations in the waiting room with patients who were recovering from the surgery and some waiting like me... gained lots of information from them as well... really didn't know questions to ask other than basic ones... second visit was more educational... I knew exact questions I needed answers to and so did he! It was great! He was very supportive and made me feel very at ease with the situation

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Health problems... it was getting to the point of do it or give up and hope for the best... even the doctor said it was time

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After discussing different procedures with the doctor and researching on the internet, we agreed that the RNY was better 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 was okay with it until my mother started up with her comments like: *where do you want to be buried? *let's go pick out a casket *have you made out your will yet? *what plans have you made for your daughter? Thanks to her, I was a total freak-out the day before surgery - I cried all day. I finally called Weinstein's office and talked to the nurses. They put me at ease and told me that what I was feeling was totally normal the day before surgery. She even called back a few hours later to check on me. My daughter was really upset with all of the comments too - she just knew I was going to die. She would not hardly leave my side when I came out of recovery. We still talk about the situation today - and how upset my mother made us. The day of surgery I was okay. I walked into the hospital like nothing was going on. I helped get my family settled in as much as I could and then I was in surgery - that quick! Everything went fine - no problems.

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?

Mother did NOT want me to have the surgery - she was terrified that I was going to die - and she let me know it. However, she went with me and my daughter and stayed with us through the whole week in the hospital. Now, a year later, she is so proud - she wants my brother to have the surgery too!

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

they were never told... however, when I visited them a year later, they did not recognize me!!! the teachers on staff were thrilled... and you can imagine what reactions I got from the kids when they saw the new "skinnier" me walking in the hall and into the classrooms to say "hi!" ... it was great!!! I had the surgery done in the summer, so it did not affect my work except that I had to take it slow when school started back... I was still in the 6 week recovery time (last part) but was given permission to go back since it was a teaching situation... nothing strenuous... biggest problem was moving to another city... couldn't lift anything... had to have family place all my furniture in the house for me and hope for the best... it was OK... wasn't long until I was able to do for myself again!

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

Stay in the hospital was fine. The nurses were great and helpful. My family stayed in the room with me by choice - the hospital had a "hotel" setup available. I stayed in the hospital 4 days - 1 day longer than usual due to the fact that I live 4 hours from the location. A friend told me to be sure to bring a pair of "tongs" to wipe with. Everyone had a good laugh at that - esp. when I actually tried to figure out how to use them. The nurses rolled in the aisles at how funny - but hey, they did help once I figured out the process! Also - houseshoes and a housecoat to walk the halls with. I brought my own pajamas/gowns to make me feel more comfortable. Toiletry products also - I took a shower the next day after surgery. Also - ladies, I was surprised that my period started on the 2nd or 3rd day after surgery and had to send for pads. The nurses told me to expect it even though it wasn't my normal time. My stay was great. You will need help getting up and down for most of your stay. It was similar to having a C-section except that the incision is higher. Speaking of incision - I was cut from my breasts to my belly button!

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

No complications yet! Well, I got a bit nauseated from the pain medication, but they changed it and I've had no other problems. I did have hormone changes evidently - I was soooooo hot in recovery that they had to find a fan to cool me down. I kept the fan going 24 hours in my room also - my family froze the whole time!

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 and excited. My mom upset me and my daughter by asking me to go with her and pick out my casket and where I wanted to be buried just in case. The day before surgery I was a basket case - from the comments from mom and because my daughter was so scared that I might die. The nurse called me and calmed me down - then called later that afternoon to check on me. I refused to let mom talk me out of this. I prayed a lot and talked with my friends. My sister was supportive and helped calm me down too. Mom was more accepting after all was said and done.

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

I travelled all over Mississippi and Alabama (mother drove) looking for a job! I felt fine. The week after surgery I started interviews. I finally got a job about 3 weeks after surgery - moved to a new city - set up a new house - and started work before my 6 weeks were up. I felt fine. I could not lift anything, so my family had to help out with the move - otherwise I was fine!

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

150 miles I have to miss a day of work to go to followups - but I'm usually glad to get out of class for a "mini-vacation"!!!

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.

Babyfood was awful - that didn't last long at all. The meat was okay. Mom ran table food through the blender for about 2 weeks. In the 3rd week I got to where I could eat more solids - but I took it slowly. By the 6th week I was eating pretty much whatever I wanted. I had trouble with eggs, milk, bread, and fried/spicy food. Now I eat them when I want. I still have some trouble with ice cream and fried food. I can eat a McDonald's cheeseburger - the 89 cent one - but I can't finish the quarter-pounder or others. French fries are good, but still too greasy - eat them once in a while. Diet colas are great!

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

at first I was slow with everything. I was embarassed to use the motorized chair at the grocery store... at my age, people thought I was just taking advantage of it... turning over in bed and getting up and down took days to get the hang of... hurt pretty bad... like the pain from a C-section (having had 2 of those I kinda knew what to expect and how to handle it!) I was back interviewing for jobs within 2 weeks... walking SLOW and not carrying much (my portfolio weighs a ton) and I couldn't drive, so my mom helped out with those issues... didn't take too long until I was feeling great and doing whatever I felt like... I was teaching again when school atarted (less than 6 weeks after surgery)

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

Actually none... I need to... I would probably feel better, but I've always had problems digesting vitamins and stay away

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?

Would you believe that I didn't have trouble with many of these... I did throw up a couple of times because something didn't agree with me... the first time it was a scrambled egg... and there were a couple of times that I ate too much or the food was too greasy.... I still have problems with dumping (4 years after surgery) because I still like those sweets... and it doesn't take but a couple of bites to know when to stop or get sick!!! You tend to learn those secrets! My biggest side effect was developing the hypoglycemic symptoms... my sugar drops unexpectedly and I have shaking, weakness, and get really scared... have had tests run and diabetes does NOT show up! so, I just have to deal with it... I grab sugar and stuff myself... unfortunately, I then go into dumping... from one extreme to another in less than 1/2 hour... frustrating, but what do you do? That is my biggest complaint from the whole ordeal. It has lead me to getting away from the diet and plateauing for 3 years now... I haven't lost anymore weight... and I can't seem to get back on the "diet" to get going again...

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

To me, at first it was the pain... but that only lasted a couple of weeks... and the emotional stress that my mom put me and my daughter through before, during, and after (but she had heard lots of scary tales and was worried) Right now, the worst part about the whole process is still dealing with the "hypogylcemic" symptoms that show up at the strangest times and cause problems... esp. at school during class... just keep candy handy like other diabetic teachers/students... kids understand when I tell them I'm having a sugar problem today and if I seem like I'm "high" I am due to the sugar... they get tickled at me, but tend to understand and actually behave better that day!!!

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

There is no support group in my area evidently - I haven't found one. I would love to find one close by because I have lots of questions for people who have been through this. I know they will understand my feelings and questions. 7/14/04... now living in Memphis, TN area... is there a support group here???

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

My incision runs from my breats to my belly button. I came home with staples. One week later, the staples were removed and tape placed on the incision to make the scar smooth. I didn't know what to expect - I really didn't care. I've had two vertical C-sections and female surgery - so now I have a scar from my throat to my "private" area! So what! I'm happy and getting healthy now! At 45 I rather doubt that I will ever wear a bikini anyway! 1 year later: Dr. Weinstein said that when I'm totally through losing weight, he will come back in and fix my scar so that it will hardly be noticeable??? I hope. It looks terrible now.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I lost 86 lbs. between July and January. I haven't lost any more. I figure it is because I am eating whatever I want and not watching my "diet" like I did at first. I have gone up and down a 5 pound range since January. 7-14-04... still no more weight loss... have still gone up and down 5-10 lbs...

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People don't recognize me at first - especially since I cut and colored my hair! I think it's funny. I went to a workshop at the board of education where I worked before surgery and NOBODY recognized me - not even the lady I lived across the street from for a whole year! I feel more confident and look better. People who know what I've been through are very supportive and are still encouraging me. They are thrilled at the change in me!!