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

Al Roker. I saw his procedure on TV and started researching. The rest, is history.

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

I was approved right off the bat. I don't have any advice because I wasn't argued with or denied anything. I don't understand an insurance companies unwillingness to help someone.

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

Great. He seemed optomistic. He's very positive and wanted nothing but success for me.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had my conseltation, but didnt set my date. In October, 2003, my older and only brother was diagnosed with a rare form of malignant brain cancer. When the doctors were telling him there was nothing they could do for him, all he could do was stare at his food and shovel food in his mouth. He didn't want to hear it. He just wanted to eat. He'd already given up, without even first trying. I decided then, that food would no longer rule my life. It would no longer be a focal point. I had a 2nd councilation and was scheduled right after that. He died, May 08, 2006.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I didnt. I left it all in my surgeons hands.

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 feared I would die. Complications didn't scare me. Life is complicated. You're either going to die from the surgery or eat yourself to death or die from complication of being overweight....either way, you're dead. I chose to take the gamble, and live now a happier healthier 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?

THEY ALL TOLD ME I WAS GOING TO DIE. NOT TO DO IT. except my husband. he told me to do what would make me happy. afterwards, my mommy took care of me, but i mostly took care of myself because hubby worked and momma just didnt understand the concept of portion control, no sugar and liquid dieting. She still, to this day, offers me sugary beverages and high fat foods.

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

I didn't tell them anything. It was my own personal decision, my business and none of theres. I told them I was having surgery. End of story. 4 weeks of being out, then back to the grind.

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

The only complaint I had, was that there was only one bathroom for two patient rooms and they gave us both milk/mollases enemas at the same time. HELLO! Do you know what it's like having to HOLD IT after this surgery??!!! And this other woman was ALWAYS IN THERE. Embarrassing for me, I had an accident on myself because I just couldn't hold it anymore, so they gave me one of those portopotty chairs. Today, I wish I had asserted myself, but back then, I never would say anything to anybody in my defense....*sigh* Bring? You're on drugs and concentrating on recovery. There is nothing to bring. Of course, where I was, they gave you a chapstick, so, that's the only sundry I recommend for any hospital stay. That and a rag for your head...it's always so cold in those places.

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

Besides my gallbladder springing a leak? and terrible constipation?? and slow transit bowels??? and anemia so bad they want to give me a blood transfusion??? naaaaaah. I'm fine. I deal. I take laxatives and b-12 shots and iron pills, vitamins. Organic meals, high protein, low carb, high fiber. I deal.

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

SCARED. XANAX was my friend for many days beforehand.

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

Morphine haze. I slept. A lot. But I also made myself get up and walk around. Made myself move. Because I didn't want complications. I didn't want to die.

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

40 miles.

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.

Are you kidding me? Do you really expect me to remember that? I remember liquids, I remember puree, I remember baby food, protein drinks, recipes and discovering new ways to eat. I remember staying far far away from pork and beef for some time. Maybe an entire year. No sugar. No junk, the first year. Now. I eat anything I want. It's all a matter of portion control, and staying active.

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

I made myself walk. I had to.

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

Multivitamins only until 08/06, and now, still multivitamins, iron supplements, b-12 and protein out the wazoo.

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?

CONSTIPATION. NAUSEA. VOMITING. I couldnt sleep on my tummy FOREVER. You just cope. Why gripe about it?

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

CONSTIPATION! I just wanna poop, dammit!

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

None. I took care of myself. In hindsight, I should have and maybe I wouldn't have gone through that really bad depression from 10/05-06/06.

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

Gone. The tummy tuck took care of that.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had one that I remember in 04\05....but dropped weight like nothing afterwards.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes.