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

I first heard about WLS because a woman from my mother's church had the surgery in 1999 or 2000. I have also seen the operations on the Discovery Health channel. Everyone had heard the Carnie Wilson story, plus several people that I know, have had WLS.

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

Actually to date, I am still waiting to be approved. I hope to have an approval by May 12th, 2006. I changed doctors offices, and the first response from my insurance was that I had to get a psych eval, a nutritionist consult, and a thyroid test. So, when I joined on with the second Doctor's office, my insurance said the same thing. So, I guess it depends on what insurance you have. Some are picky, like mine and others are not, like Blue Coss. The only advice that I have is to be sure that your surgeons office sends everything pertaining to you that may be helpful to your insurance right off the back. Pictures may not hurt either. (I didn't think of doing this, but it's a great idea.)

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

My first visit with my surgeon was wonderful. It was a seminar setting of like 10 prospects, and he went over the entire surgery types, what happens during surgery, how long you are in surgery, what recovery is like, and the risks. You can say that he went through everything. After all of that, everyone met with him one on one to become more acquainted with him, we all met his other two surgeons, and the rest was handled by the office staff.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I finally decided to have the surgery after my sister has lost so far 244 pounds from being 547 pounds. My supervisor has lost so far 90 pounds from being once 240 pounds, and my best friend has lost like 150 pounds from once being 309 pounds. So, I think it's safe to say that I finally decided to have WLS because of the successful people around me that had it.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon only performs the "OPEN" procedure, and furthermore, I think that I am more comfortable with that, rather than him not being able to visualize exactly what he is doing rather than going with laparoscopic surgery.

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?

Oh please, being on this website and seeing the memorial page, I cried that night. I had to deal with that piece of the puzzle, and was very close to backing out. My husband actually told me I am healthy, have not had any major health problems, and I thought about that and felt a lot better. I had to think of the long term, and that a lot of other methods failed and I need to do something permanent. All I can say for those who are afraid right now, is to be sure that you know what you want and do. Keep positive people around you that can help you. Don't think about the others who did not make it, because it will only scare you half to death. Plus, not all of the people on the memorial page died from the surgery.

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 mom had dealt with it from my sister having it done, so she was fine. My sister was encouraging. My husband on the other hand thought that I would eventually leave him if and when I had the surgery, which I had to reassure him that I have been slim before, this would not be a new thing for me to experience. Although, it's been a while since I have been slim, but I told him that I need to do this for me first, and our son secondly, and my future with him lastly. He later came around, but still was not 100% for the whole surgery thing.....for the complications that could occur.

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

Well my supervisor was one of the people who inspired me to have WLS. She was fine about it and even offerred to pay for my nutritional consult, but she was great. I am a manager of an apartment complex and I have been making sure that I was not taking a lot of days and time off, so that if I needed to be out of work longer, it would be fine. I have not had surgery yet, but I plan to be out for only two weeks. I can tolerate pain very well. I had a "C" section and was driving four days after....shhhh, don't tell anyone.

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

My stay in the hospital was great. All of the nurses were nice and attentive. I was there for 2 days and went home on the morning of the 3rd day. I just took lotion, tooth paste, my tooth brush, a travel sized deodorant, my razor and my shaving cream. I ended up having everything provided for me. Oh, don't forget the lip balm or vaseline. Your lips will be so dry and crusty, you will need that for sure. That's if you care about things like that. I know I did.

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

So far, at 3 days post-op, no complications at all. (Updates, I am now 13 weeks, and 5 days post-op....and still no complications.)

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

It was treated like any other day, but once the weekend of the surgery came, it was really real and I was nervous and anxious to get it over with. I had developed a cold and I was so scared that my surgery would be postponed, that I called the emergency line for my surgeon's office and asked if I would still be able to have my surgery. Now, I wish I would have waited because the coughing after surgery hurts like hell. I have to hold my stomach when I cough and it does not help.

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

My first day home was great. I was still feeling the effects of the hospitals drugs in my system. I am only 3 days post-op right now and today was a challenge. Your stomach will go through a lot of different sounds as well as pains and you will be wondering what in the world, but it's all a part of you getting adjusted to the new you.

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

I traveled by car to DC and I live in VA. It was not that bad to travel there for the surgery. My husband actually from coming up to the hospital with me found a short cut from leaving the hospital to hit the interstate that will bring us back home, but my aftercare appointments will not be affected. My doctor's office is steps away from the hospital. It is a lot easier for me to park at the Metro in VA and take the train into DC so when I am able to drive again, I will do just that. For my first post-op appointment, my hysband will be driving me because my surgeon said no driving until he gives you the clearance one week after you are released from the hospital.

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.

Oh, you cannot eat anything. The things that you are used to are all off limits, that's why we did or are thinking of doing this. At 3 days post-op and I am not craving anything that I used to eat. I thought that I would be, but it has not been an issue for me. Today, we went to Leesburg Premium Outlet and my husband and son had Nathan's and I wanted some so bad, but I didn't though. I came right home and did what I had to do, which was eat jell-o.

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

My activity level after surgery is taking it easy. I am not going to exercise until I am six weeks post-op because that's what I was told. So, I am enjoying this time not having to exercise at all. Just to get and feel better is all that I need right now. Walking is the most of the activity that I have done.

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

None yet, I am only 3 days post-op and I don't start those until phase 2 of my diet. Every doctor has their own ways of they way they want you to do things. So, it's all up to your surgeon. (Update: I now am able to take my vitamins, which I take 2 gummy chewable vitamins, and I also take 2 citracal pills for calcium, and I take one prescribed iron pill, and I also take one B-12 pill for extra weight loss.)

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 only been affected by the sleep disturbance so far. I just altered my sleeping positions. Like the way that I slept throughout the night. (Update: my sleep is back to normal now. My husband said that I do not snore anymore. I am experiencing hair loss. I mostly wear my hair in a ponytail, but when I brush daily....the amount of hair that comes out, scares me. I have recently ordered Super Biotin pills (for hair growth) from www.puritan.com. I will just have to see how they work. I have experienced the hair loss since I was at least 2 months post-op. I am not feeling great about the hair loss at all, but hopefully with my increased protein, it will get better.)

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

The worse part for me was the sudden stomach adjustment that I had to go through so soon after surgery. It was difficult for me because I am so used to being responsible for myself and taking care of home and putting on my own shoes, getting up off the couch by myself. You know, all of that, so it was definitely rough for me. I think that it will be rough for a person of my position once they are home to adjust to that as well.

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

I have my husband, my sister, my mother, my friends. An unbeleivable support system. Not to mention the support group at my surgeon's office. I attended the first post-op meeting and it was ok. No one is really showing up to the meetings though. I think it's very important to attend the support gropu meetings because you find out a lot of helpful things from others. Whether you use it or not, it's still great info. Please know that you will need that guidance from people you live with or those that have gone through it.

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

My scar healed beautifully. It's smaller than 3 inches. I measured it with a ruler. How pathetic is that, but all surgeons are differnet, so please don't get hooked on the length of the scar.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

It's funny because I feel that my weight loss thus far is slow, but I am 13 weeks and 5 days post-op, and I have lost 51 pounds already....so I guess that's great. I think that I am being too hard on myself daily about how much weight I have lost or should have lost.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. I can tell that my husband likes what he sees. He said that he did not know that the surgery would work so well with me. I can see that others are not looking at me like I am a fatty. I can also see men giving me an extra look. I have gotten all positive feedback, but only my husband's really matter.