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

I first became aware of it when Carnie Wilson had it and swore I would never do it. I met people who had it and saw how they did and became interested in possibly getting it and began researching it. Was denied twice before I finally got it through Womak.

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

No problem getting insurance approval, with all the health problems I have had and my health records indicated the need. I was approved by insurance twice before but the surgeons refused me due to my Ulcerative Colitis. Thank God for military hospitals.

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

I got into a program where I had to meet all of my presurgical requirements before I ever formally met my surgeon. My first visit with him was 4 days before surgery and he was very professional and thorough. I would recommend anyone to research the surgery and write down any questions they have before they meet their surgeon.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I knew that I wouldn't live much longer if I didn't get rid of the weight and I knew I couldn't do it on my own as I had been trying most of my life. I knew that this would be a great tool to help me lose the weight.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I initially wanted to have the lap band, but my insurance doesn't cover fills and there is no way I could afford to pay out of pocket for them. I didn't want the roux en Y because of my intestinal problems, I felt the less re routing of them, the better. I decided to go with the gastric sleeve to avoid re routing the intestines and to enable me to take my colitis meds when I needed to.

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?

Naturally there are fears going into any surgery, I knew that if I didn't have the surgery I would die anyway, and if I died during surgery or from complications, at least I was trying to improve my life.

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?

I think some of my family was hesitant, afraid that something bad would happen, others were excited for me to be able to do something wonderful for myself. Everyone has been very supportive of me, I was blessed that my mother could be here to help me.

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

Wasn't working outside the home due to the fact that I had fibroids and the side effects kept me unable to work effectively and I knew I was going to need surgery for that before I could get my gastric sleeve.

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

I went in June 16th 2009, Came home on June 18th. The surgical staff and the hospital staff was excellent. My best advice to anyone going in to surgery is to give your family your bag of belongings before you go into surgery or else you may not get them back! I did get mine back, but it was a close call.

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

I had reactions to the anesthesia, severe nausea and headaches. They gave me meds for these and I did well. Don't be afraid to ask for your meds for anything.

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

After I got my surgery date I was a bit nervous, but I was so busy with my daughter's high school graduation and party that I didn't have much time to dwell on anything

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

I have been a little sore, they send you home with quite enough pain meds. You have to get used to what you can eat and how much you can eat as well as the protien drinks.

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

Womak is about 2 hours one way from my home.

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.

At the moment I am in the puree'd part of my post op diet. I seem to be able to tolerate everything I have tried so far. My next step is soft foods.

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

I have been walking as I can tolerate.

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

Protien drink daily with a powdered vitamin from GNC.

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 mild nausea, mostly related to intolerance of the protien. I have vomited a few timed because of eating or drinking too much. I am learning when to stop.

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

The itching from the incision sites.

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

Womak has a post op support group that meets monthly. I have yet to attend, but plan on going soon.

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

I have one 3 inch scar and 7 tiny incision site scars, a few more than I expected, but nothing I can't deal with.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am only 2 weeks post op so I haven't had any yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, not yet.