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

I knew nothing about WLS my doctors nurse is the one who brought it up as she put it, we have tried everything this has to work or she will be dead in a matter of years.

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

I can honestly say I was lucky. I am married to a military member and Tricare at that time I am not too sure about now had a very loose policy. and my first letter from the doctor went through with no issues. So i am not sure what advice if any I could lend to that topic.

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

My first visit was amazing because before my doctor would even talk with you I had to go through a small obsitcal course. I had my approval then I had the Psych portion then there was a seminar where they gave you the good, the bad and all of the ugly. Then we had a another set of seminars with a real nurse who took us down the get ready, get set now we are here after the surgery Now what phase. Then I met him Dr. Coates. The man that saved me in a way. At that point any fear or any questions I had were all cleared up. I feel that every facility should have what they have.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Hearing that I could die and not see my kids have kids. That hurt the most and then having our only daughter not be around to show her how to be a young lady, then a woman and to be there to hold her hand when she needed me. scared me!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

at the time gastric bypass was the holy grail there was no other this was 2005.

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?

AT that time most of the people that were having this surgery were very obest. I was 5'&' and maxed out at 250 lbs. to most of the people that were in my group I was skinny. So my doctor didn't have a long list of concerns so that made me fell very much at ease.

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?

the six months before my surgery I didn't tell anyone but my husband. but the week I was to have my surgery I lost my uncle who was like my father. so I reschedule for a week later to attend the funeral and felt that I had to tell my family just in case. Some where very supportive and other told me to stop eating and try this or try that.

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

I was a stay at home mom at the time.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

I was very glad I attended. Because as with any informative anything there is always that one person willing to ask that one question you are not.

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

I was in the hospital 2 days. then I was home. I had Hilda for a nurse and when I say Hilda I really mean her name was Hilda and she was about 6 foot and a heavy German accent. I a woke to her telling me you must pee and you walk. Very forceful like! I wish I had brought socks! My feet get cold all the time.

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

I didn't have any complications after my surgery I was lucky.

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 felt a little slow to react. I didn't want to eat and when I could eat it was about three weeks after the surgery and I tried a bite of a chicken wing. Gagged right away. Then a few days later I tried to taste some rice I had cooked for the family OMG!!!! I thought my throat was trying to kill me.

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

My first few weeks I wore nothing but sweats for the next six months. the family that was around thought I was just gonna come home and be 150 lbs lighter. then they just forgot that I even had the surgery because I was loosing the weight so slowly. I guess because I was not in the large numbers that 20 lbs off was not that big of a deal.

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

I had my surgery in Modesto, CA and at that time I lived in Stockton so about 30-45 minutes away.

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.

the first day until week 2 I was limited to water, jello and chicken or beef broth. then week 2 -4 was pureed meat, jello, water and broth. by the first month I had conditioned my self that water always then meat then the veggies on the list which were no a long list. beets, kale, spinach broccoli cabbage. but they made you stay away from water based veggies. like iceberg lettuce that stuff. I didn't have any carbs until about month 8-10 and at that time I had it in my head that carbs are bad and by the time you drank the water then the time you ate your protien first then veggies and OMG! Please do not forget to chew 25 time at the least. by the time you finished all of that who in the world had time for a carb.

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

I walked everywhere. when we went to the store I would park way away from the door just so I could walk. I walk around the block I walked every where I could walking was my best friend.

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

Over time and with the increased knowledge over the years. I am now taking my multi-vitamins, B-1, Biotin, B-12, Iron pills and a calcium supplement. because for African American women we loose calcium faster after this surgery.

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?

Dumping is the worse. I still dump when there is too much sugar that I didn't know was in a certain food. just ask how something is prepared. My hair thinned out a lot that is why I take the Biotin. But I could no longer put any chemicals in my hair as it was too harsh for my new hair to handle.

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

I can't say there is a worse part. I was given a tool that has helped me live a longer and healthier life because of it.

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

I haven't attended any support groups .I know bad me but I find myself here on Obesity Help all the time.

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

I keloid so my scars are six small about 1/2 inch cuts that look like someone stabbed a few times......LOL

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

No Plateaus for me.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yea I notice if they know I have had the surgery they watch how I eat and what I eat. It's funny