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

I first found out about bariatric sugery because my cousin had some sort of procedure done several years ago. Then my reproductive endocrinologist had suggested it to me when my husband and I were unable to have a baby. My initial impression was that this was not for me because I had not health problems and had heard how risky the surgery was. I did not want to die trying to be "skinny". I considered it a cosmetic procedure.

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

I have BC/BS of Alabama. The approval process was very easy and I thank God for that. The only thing that happened was my surgeon reviewed my medical records and took down my medical history and a letter was submitted to my insurance company seeking approval. It was approved within two weeks. My advice to other people would be to get all their information together about previous medically and non medically supervised diet attempts and any tests and illnesses you have had that were weight related. You can never have too much supporting information.

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

My first visit with my surgeon was actually a seminar. I was in a group of maybe 8 or 10 other people. The entire procedure from consultation to insurance approval to hospital stay was gone over in minute detail. Anything you didn't know before you did when you left the consultation. Any question you could possibly have could be answered because not only has the surgeon had the surgery himself but so have several members of his staff. In order to get the most out of this meeting, come prepared as you can so you can ask good questions. Write down any questions you might have before hand in case they aren't covered you can ask them. If you are not a good note taker take some one with you who is so you will have something to refer back to. A lot of information is going to be given to you and it is a lot for your brain to comprehend.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The fact that I could see my quality of life slipping further and further down. I have only been married a little under 3 years to a wonderful man and I didn't want him to have to end up taking care of me when I got where I could not do things for myself because of my weight.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I did a lot of research on the web about the different procedures that were available and based on what I myself needed and wanted to achieve I decided on the Lap RNY.

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?

To start with I was very fearful about dying from the surgery. Until after my consultation with the surgeon. I was less scared then but still had some fears. I sat down and had a long talk with the Lord and gave those fears over to him and asked that he give me a sense of peace over my decision and the procedure to come and he did. I would tell anyone that is having fears of the surgery that if you do not know the Lord and have a relationship with him, it is a good time to establish one. He is the supreme healer and the ultimate doctor and guides the surgeons hands.

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 mom is the one that suggested to me that I have the surgery. She and my step dad actually paid my out of pocket expenses for me to have it. My entire family could not have been any more supportive than they have been. I could not ask for anything more. My mom staid with me in the hospital and the first week after I got out. She made sure I walked and did my breathing and assured a speedy recovery.

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

My employer/supervisor had actually been trying to talk me in to having the surgery for about two years. They care about all their employees and wanted me to be healthy. When I told them I was going to have the surgery they were as excited as I was and immediately started training someone to do my job while I was out so I could take as much time as needed. I was only out of work three weeks because I have a desk job. I probably could have gone back after two weeks but one of my incisions where I had a drain tube was still draining a bit and I wanted to make sure it was healed up properly before I returned to work.

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

My stay in the hospital was ok but could have been better. My only complaint was the inattentiveness of the nurses. They did not seem to be in any hurry to help you out with things. I was in the hospital from Tuesday morning till Thursday afternoon. The most improtatn thing to remember to bring is some house shoes and a robe for walking the halls. You have to remember there are male and female patients on the same floor and you don't want to be walking around with your hiney shinning! LOL!

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

I have not had any complications as of yet. Thank you Jesus!

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 have felt wonderful in the four almost five weeks since I had my surgery. I have had no anxiety or anything. I have a high energy level and all. The first couple of days after I came home I would get a little sleepy in the mid afternoon but I think that was due to still recovering from the surgery. That only lasted a couple of days.

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

My first few weeks home went well. You should expect to be sore for a while and don't be surprised if you dan't sleep in your bed to start with. I slept in a recliner for the first two weeks but then again I do have a water bed and just didn't want to strain anything trying to get on and off of it. The soreness will get better as the days go by. The first week was full liquids for me and that was fine because I really didn't want anything but water and that is all I had. I sipped water from the minute I got up in the morning till I went to bed at night. After that week we could have soft proteins but I never got hungry. I am five weeks out and still have yet to get hungry. My surgeon says not to worry and not to push it. If you aren't hungry don't make yourself eat. Make sure you eat at least one time a day, take your vitamins and drink your fluids. I have yet to throw up and hope that I never do.

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

My surgeon is about an hours drive away from me. This really had no affect on my after care other than a bumpy ride home from the hospital on a sore body. It is not too far to go if I was to need my surgeon in an emergency. They are on call 24/7 so I can always reach him.

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.

My surgeon requires that you do not have bread of any kind (except for a piece of toast or a cracker), soda's, sugar or beef for at least the first six months. After that it is up to you whether you incorporate them back into your diet. For the first week after surgery you are allowed to have water, broth, sugar free jello and sugar free popsicles. I personally only dran the water. I tried the broth a couple of times but just didn't want it. After that first week you are started on soft proteins. Your first meal is required to be one egg cooked any way and a piece of buttered toast (you only eat the soft part in the middle, not the crust). If you tolerate this well you can advance your diet a little at a time. I can eat cottage chees with shredded chedder very well. Those lunchable with the crackers, meat and cheese work very well. I can eat chicken (can eat an entire chicken wing! LOL!) But I found I can not eat any kind of pork as of yet. It almost makes me throw up it makes my stomach feel so bad. Fish is very good as are red beans and rice. I ate some chicken and dumplings minus the dumplings and it was very good. At the four week mark we can start adding some vegetables but I haven't tried any yet. Oh, I eat pork rinds. They give you that crunch like a chip but are protein and I love sunflower seeds which have protein also.

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

We are suppose to walk at least 30 minutes a day fromt he beginning. I have not progressed beyond this yet but am going to work my way up to it. I know it will become easier to do as I lose more weight.

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

I take Pepcid chewables to ease my stomach and I take 1 multi vitamin a day and two calcium pills a day. I tried the protein shakes for a while but they just aren't for me.

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 am only almost five weeks out and the worst thing for me so far is the frothing. I don't really throw up it is just like I start burping and burping and burp up a mouth full of this foamy saliva. It makes my stomach hurt when I am doing this. I will keep it up till I guess I get enough of it up or either some stuff moves on out of my pouch and then it stops and the pain stops. I have only done this twice and it was not fun either time! Once was with my calcium pill and the second time was on ham.

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

The worst part about the entire process was the waiting. Waiting for this appointment and waiting for that appointment before you had everything together and could actually have the surgery.

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

I have not been able to attend any of the support group meetings as or yet, but I do belong to several online support groups at yahoo. I even started my own online support group at yahoo just for Dr. Freeman's patients.

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

My incision scars are still pretty fresh so I can't tell what they are going to look like in the future as they continue to heal. They are a bit larger than I had expected them to be kind of hope they will shrink up as the skin shrinks as I lose weight.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am not far enough out to plateau yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet, but I have been told it is a possability and that I should be prepared for it.