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

I was first found out about it through Carnie Wilson's adveristments & testimonies about the surgery. My impressions at first were the surgery can truly help save a person's life. Then I thought,"Well I am not going to get the big where I would need the surgery"! Boy was I wrong!

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

I have BCBS IL HMO. At first I was told I need 6 months of supervised weight loss managment.After I finished the 6 months, at that point, I was told the requirement was 12 months instead of 6. After my family encouraging me to not let it go with 12 months,because of health issues I am having because of the weight, I contacted my medical group. The medical group was able to assure me that I would be approved with 6 months of weight loss management & the psych eval that was requried. Advise for others.....Now your options and ALL of the necessary requirements for your particular insurance companies. KNOW the names, dates & times of person(s) you have spoken with about (possible) coverage. If necessary, keep a log book of all that you have done & ALL the info that you had been given & refirm back to it when necessary! This may be the key to getting an approval!

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

Actually I saw the surgeon May 30, 2005. I had previously saw Dr. Vitello, (the surgeon at UIC) a few years back when I was considering the surgery prior. He went over all the necessary steps & procedures, the pros & the cons of the surgery. He thoroughly explained everything to me. The way to get the most out of this meeting is to make sure you ask any & every question you can think of. If you think you will forgot, take a list of question with you to ensure that you have accurate & sufficent answers to any & all of your questions,issues and/or concerns.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When I realized that I am way to heavy to do the basic things in life that most people take for granted. Such as takin a long walk in the park, riding a bicycle, or just walking a few blocks the store. I realized that I will need to slim down to have the family that my husband & I have always dreamed of. Mainly I decided to have the surgery to save my life & the life the generation after my own.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I have research the different of surgeries & I decided that though open may not necessarily been attractive because of the scar that it will leave, it is the safest one, that I was made aware of. My surgeon has a very high success rate & he has never lost a patient. I am confident that this open rny is the best surgery procedure for weight loss for me.

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?

The main fears I have a fear of bleeding or having to go back in because of healing that is not taking place the way it should. I know that GOD is able to bring me through this. When I first decided to have the surgery I was more in fear. Now I am not as fearful, but nervous. I have prayed that GOD will guide the surgeon in the right direction to allow me to use the surgery as a tool to meet my altimate goal! My advice to others.....WHEN YOU HAVE GOD, THERE ARE NOT FEARS!

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 husband is SUPER SUPPORTIVE! My mom is supportive. Pretty much my entire family is very supportive. My co workers are very supportive as well. I have had a few negative comments. My aunt's friend told me I should not have the surgery due to complications of one of her friend had suffered. I have had people who may not understand that the complications are a POSSIBILTY but not necessarily going to happen to me make comments about their view and/or opinions about the surgery. I have learned to answer to my HIGHER CALLING & do what is best for me in my life and for my life. I wouldn't change anything about the way I communicated my decision to my family & friends. Everything was communicated to my satisifaction!

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

My supervisor & mananger were very supportive of my decision. My supervisor, who I am closer to than my manager, knows that I am having weight loss surgery. But my manager, doesn't know that I am having WLS. I simply told them that I will be off due to medical necessatity. I will be off work for 6 weeks. My surgery is scheduled for Sept 28, 2005.

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

My stay at the hospital was for the most part pleasant. I did have 1 nurse who rushed me out of bed. I was trying to get from the bed to the bedpan & she was very pushy.Otherwise my stay was bearable. I checked in on Wednesday September 28, 2005 morning around 7am & I checked out at 11am the Saturday, October 1, 2005. Important things to bring....slippers, a band(age) for lifting, & especially for sneezing and of course, some very,very loose fitting clothes(VERY IMPORTANT)

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

I had a minor complications. I experienced wound sermona, which is bolidy fluid that leaked from under the incision. It went on for almost 2 months.

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 wonderful about getting a surgery date!!! I carried 3 emotions after getting a date up to the time of surgery....EXCITEMENT, FEAR(VERY LITTLE) & JUST READY TO GET IT OVER WITH! Anxiety...felt pretty nervous right at the very moment when I was rolled into the O.R.! My husband & my family kept me grounded & that helped with dealing with the anxiety I felt.

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

I was in a lot of pain the first few weeks. Some pain was just about unbearable. Please may use of your pillows as you begin to sit down & lay down. "PILLOWS ARE YOUR FRIENDS"! I would say expect to not be able to tolerate some foods. It is trial & error with foods and don't be afraid to have your nurse,doctor & nututrionist(sp) on speed dial! Walk, walk & walk some more! Walking is also your friend!

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

I had to travel about 30 minutes away from home. My aunt & husband took me to the hospital. The travel back home with one of my friends was didnt affect my aftercare. My friend got my prescprition for me before I went home. So I had my pain meds before I went home. It was a rough ride. There was road construction all around the hospital. So I was holding myself to prevent as much pain as possible!

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.

Some items I could not eat....2% milk was a no no, cold cereal, scrambled eggs,grits. These are the only items that I can think of. I have changed from the broths, sugar free jellos to regualar foods now. I can tolerate pasta,pita bread,rice,beans, all veggies. I love Chicken cesear salads!!!

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

My activity level has surely increased. My husband & I walked everyday after surgery for at least 20 minutes. We had it included in our daily routine...I am joined Women's Workout World as of Dec 23, 2005. I am at the gym at least 2-3 times per week. I am up to 20-25 mintues on the treadmill as of now (01-30-06). I lift weights, about 25-30 pounds! I am loving working out!

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

I take a multivitamin once/day, 1-2 calucim/day, & just started taking biotin for my hair & nails once/day.

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 did experiencing nausea,voimting & some hair shedding. I don't experience this problems too much now. I occassionally viomit because I have eaten to fast or drank to fast! I slow down! Also my hairdresser recently said she noticed my hair shedding, which is why I began taking the biotin vitamin for hair & nails. I had these side effects very early on after surgery & contiuned mainly during my 1st 6 weeks during recovery.

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

In a word----- PAIN!

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

I am obviously a member of obesityhelp.com. The hospital where I had surgery (UIC) has a support group both in person & online. OB has been very helpful & an important part of my support outside of my family! Especially the BAF group are a great bunch of folks that have been privillaged to know! It is SUPER IMPORTANT to have a support system among folks who can directly relate to your struggle to battle the bulge!

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

My scar is not very visible at all! It is now about paper thin from just below my breast bone to right above my belly button. It was exactly what I expected! Nothing more, nothing less!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have lost 105 pounds in 4 months!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really! I consider myself to have friends & family who are ture blue to me before & after surgey! There are some who I know my not understand my decision & may not know how to treat me. However I am a better person,both inside & out with WLS. I know that some others are not educated & did not have to walk in my shoes to be able to fully understand my struggle & that is ok. I am satisified with my decision & my results!