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

The first thing I said when I first found out about the surgery was NO WAY! There was no way anyone was going to go in there with a knife and make me a new stomach it sounded much to dangerous and i was scared of needles, knives, and just doctors all together lol. When I finally came to a conclusion I needed help still I didnt want that particular surgery. So I thought of Lypo and I asked my doctor about it. I needed some kind of help so I thought that lypo would be a good easy way of doing this. When she put in for a referrel she put in for the bariatric surgery so I studied and learned a whole lot more about 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 with my insurance was a complete twisted rollicoaster ride. I was like WOW! When I first started my husband was stationed at a base so of course military hospitals was the first choice which I had no problem with. So I went and had the consult, all of my appointments I was required of and I was off. But then my husband received orders at the time to have to leave, so I contacted my doctor and he reported he would not do the surgery because of that. So I was again off on my own. I went to west virginia and stayed until things cleared with my husband and had my insurance moved to there. I found a doctor, but my insurance wouldnt approve. Again on my own. So then the head of the insurance company contacted me and appologized for the way they had treated me and asked if we could start over. I was going no where alone so of course I agreed. They gave me a doctor an hour and a half away from where I was staying and he put in a referrel for me to see Dr. Stickler. I went and had my consult with him. He was amazing!! I loved this doctor he was heaven sent. Some other things went a little wrong but it was misunderstandings, but finally the insurance approved my surgery was the week after approval. It took a year and a half but it was worth it. I got the best doctor and the best hospital. Thank God!

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

My first visit with my doctor was wonderful. I never saw anyone anymore caring and so into me like he was. He made me feel like everything was about me and about making me healthy. Not just loosing weight but me being able to walk good, eat right, breathe right, sleep, just everything. I got so much out of everything he said. He made more sense 5 minutes into his consult than the first doctor did his entire hour. I know a lot of people says they have the best doctor and always say good things. But Dr. Stickler is unexplainable. He's perfect in my eyes and I thank God every day for him.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When the surgery thought first came to me, everyone always talked about someone dieing during or after. So I was scared and didnt want to even speak of it. But then one day I was sitting and thinking and it came to me. I'm sitting here dieing doing nothing. I have a greater chance of dieing not having this surgery than I do if I have it. The chances of me dieing with heart attack, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, etc. was greater than dieing on the operating table. I mean of course there were chances but there are also chances when you have your tonsils removed, gall bladder romoved, etc. I took the better chance of making myself healthier and better

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My doctor went over both with me and I decided the best decision that he thought was best.

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?

Exactly what I answered in question 6.

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 has been wonderful from the beginning. Of course there were fears, but they knew what was best for me. They have always been there and they still are helping me alone and supporting me 100%.

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

My stay was wonderful, the hospital was awesome and so very kind. I stayed in the hospital 2 days and I brought clothes, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, shampoo, conditioner. Of course the hospial also supplied all of that but I preferred my own.

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

My recovery has been remarkable. I have had no complications, I thought at one time there may have been a blockage in my esophogus but I learned I just needed to keep chewing my food good lol.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

A couple of weeks after my surgery I had to deal with a lot within myself. Depression for one was a big factor. I saw everyone eating and at that time I was loosing weight but it was nothing big because I had just started. I asked myself why I even had it I tried to convince myself that I destroyed my life but then when I went back to the doctor saw that weight loss, my life was looking more beautiful every day!! I didnt realize what control food had on my life until this surgery.

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

Expect to doubt your reasons for having this surgery but only a couple of days when you first go back to the doctor and step on those scales seeing weight loss instead of weight gain your gonna be amazed and so happy you took this step.

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

From my home in West Virginia is only 2 hours. I lived in Maryland it was a 6 hour drive, but that did not affect my aftercare whatsoever. I attend every appointment and 24/7 Dr Stickler and his staff is there to help so no matter how far I am I always feel at ease.

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 first couple of weeks was protein shakes, sugar free jello, water, chicken broth, just anything liquid. But as I progressed and my doctor helped me along I started slowly on solid food and then I started learning that anything spicy I paid for lol. Garlic, bread is a definate no no. They told me that at my doctors appointment but it took me figuring out for myself before I would listen. Meats were good as long as they were shredded. Fish was my favorite, it digested good and settled wonderfuly.

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

At first I still felt tired, no energy and to excercise I had to force myself, but after a while it really got to be a daily thing and I had myself use to the fact that the exercises have to be done. So any extra time I have that's what I do. Walking after surgery is like a miricle worker. I healed so fast and so good by walking. Lifting weights starting out little amounts at a time. Bike riding. And of course my favorite the giant ball lol.

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

I took 2 multi vitamins a day for the first 3 months and now I take a prenatal vitamin which I love because it helps my hair lol. I also take iron, 3 calcium a day, vitamin B12, and vitamin B100

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 persistant vomiting for a while after surgery. No so much nausia but the fact that I didnt chew my food well and it would stick to my esophogus causing a blockage.

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

The beginning, the healing process, if you can get past that first month you have beat it. It's so very well worth it.

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

There are continuous support groups through Dr. Stickler. I havent got to attend because I live so far off but just the thought of knowing whenever I need someone all I have to do it just pick up the phone and call. People who have had the surgery before me that I just met are so supportive. They and Dr. Stickler were and still are like angels, they are just there any time day or night.

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

I have 5 tiny "scratches" lol I call them because they are almost invisible. I expected a lot worse than what I got lol.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have pretty much lost weight up until my 8th month then i began coming to stand stills a lot. i would stay at a weight and then drop a few pounds all at once.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I get noticed a lot now and it feels wonderful. Almost dangerous lol because your never use to it. People now have time to talk to me, open doors, nice friendly hi's, lol it's wonderful to finally feel visible.