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

My doctor told me about it and I was more than willing to do this procedure. My first appointment is March 22nd, 2001. HORRAY!!!!!

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

It was easy. I did nothing. My doctor's office did it all.

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

My first appointment was scary and long. I met with the surgeon, the nutritionist and a theropist. The picked at my head but at the end of the appintment they approved me. I learned alot about myself and knew that I was not alone.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

What made me decide to have this surgery was that I was tired of being fat and running out of breath. Everything was a task for me. I always tried to say physical but it was hard. The weight was really getting to me.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

If I was going to risk my life I decide to choose the most dangerous procedure and the one that most guarenteed to loose weight.

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?

My fears were there but at the time of my surgery I was busy planning my wedding (got married a month prior to surgery) and a office move (me being the office manager of an office of 60). I really did not have time to focus on fear. When going into the operating room I said a short pray and handed my life to God. I guess HE listened. Could not have done it without him. As for relaying this to others, I would strongly recommend it to anyone as long as they use my doctor. I trust him!!!!

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 were very much against my decision. My friends were more comforting but I knew that no matter what I was going to do it. My only concern were my kids and they were also scared but knew I need to do this to be complete.

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

My employer/supervisors were not against it as long as I scheduled everything through their time. My first surgery date was in August and they made me change it due to our office move which then ended up being the day before surgery. I ended taking off a month from work but was bored and ready to come back after two weeks of being home. My surgery has been a peice of cake...Thank God and knock on wood.

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

My hospital stay was great. I was in there 2 nights and 3 days. The nurse were wonderful and treated everyone nicely. It got so bad that I did not want to go home. I never had anyone cater to me like this.

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

I did not have any complications. My surgery was smooth sailing. The only thing that did worry me was my hair loss after 3 months post-op. It is still thin but I am not loosing that much anymore.

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

Again, the surgery was smooth for me. I think I just went in there with such great spiritual belief and the want to be thin that nothing bothered me. I did choke a few time on some food that I began to panic but that was it.

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

The first 3 days home I did alot of sleeping because of the medicine they gave me. I really did not like that feeling that I stop taking it after 3 days. After that I dealt with the pain and it made me stronger. I did not want to waste my recovery sleeping. I wanted to experience the full effect of surgery. I think Iam a little crazy.

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

My hospital is about 10 miles away. It was not that bad. I do have regular appointments to see how I am doing and it's a joy to go see my surgeon and his people.

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.

Prior to surgery I was 240 pounds and everyone said I did not look that bad. So I took that into consideration and followed the diet that the doctor gave me to only a limit. I did the liquid diet for about two week but them I just started taking my home cooked meals and blending it and eating that. I think that help me with the recovery and I am happy loosing 97 pounds as of today.

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

I would get fatigue going up stairs the first few weeks. But as the time goes on it go better.

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

I take B-12, Zinc, One A Day, Tums, Fiber Tablets, and extra Iron. I forget to take it on the weekend but I try to remember. They are every important.

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?

The thing I worried about most was hair loss. I did not wantto be thin and bald.

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

Nothing!!

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

I have not taken part of any aftercare group. I just go to all my doctor's appointment and try to stay healthy. The only thing is when I come across something I go onto WLS website and there will be someone there to help and answer your questions.

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

My scar has gone away alot. I thought it would remain so ugly but with all the exercise I do it has cleared up.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am at a plateau now at my year post-op. I have been 147 pound for about a month but I am OK with that.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I ahve lost alot of friends and girlfriends tend to treat you differently. I love shopping so I like to dress up alot and I think that bothers them. But TOO BAD.