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

I first heard about Carnie Wilson and was intrigued but considered it too extreme. Then a girlfriend had the surgery and I saw the change in her and I wanted the same for me.

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

I didn't have any trouble with insurance - got approval the first time. I have hypertension as a co-existing condition - I think this helps

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

I liked my surgeon very much. She has a great reputation. She said it wasn't my fault I was heavy - it was because the "switch" in the intestine in fat people was set lower than thin people. To get the most of the meeting, read and view as much as possible about the surgery. If your doctor recommends a particular dietician, go to that person.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Desperation. I was so tired of being heavy, my knees and feet hurting, being short of breath, ostracized for being fat that I was willing to do whatever it took to help me to be a healthy weight.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My girlfriend had Roux-n-Y and this is the only surgery my surgeon does. It is proven effective

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 have a fatalist view - if it was my time to go, then I was ready. I did tell the anesthesiologist I panic just before going under. My time under anesthesia was great - no problems at all. As far as complications, I didn't have any - I have a positive attitude.

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 son was supportive, although he was nervous about something bad happening, I know he thought it was extreme, but he was supportive. Friends at work were supportive, although they thought it was extreme also.

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

I was off work for 2 weeks, although I felt well enough to time back within a week. My boss was very supportive and happy for me. I was very upfront about everything.

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

Was in the hospital for 2 days. Bring comfortable clothes, something to read.

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

I didn't have any complications from surgery. The only negative thing was my blood was "too thick" and the techs had trouble drawing blood. Ugh! t

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 was excited and nervous. To cope with being nervous, I would talk to anyone. I had one surgery date and went to Fresno for the pre-op x-ray, but they found something so the surgery had to be cancelled at the last minute. I was a basket case. I was so pumped up and ready to have the surgery and then to be told it would have to be rescheduled was terrible.

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

Probably the first week was the roughest. I was a little tired. All I could have was liquid. It was boring also. I used to spend so much time preparing meals that I had to find something else do do now. This time is exciting too because I lost 15# the first week and I was elated. The second week was OK - I could have soft, mushy foods. I had to learn when to stop eating.

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

My surgery was in Fresno, CA, which is about 100 miles from me. As far as aftercare, I have to take off a day of work for each follow-up visit. Saw the doctor 1 week out and 3 months out.

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.

I still can't eat bread, rice or pasta. I can eat pretty much everything else. Poached eggs are a favorite. I've only thrown up twice: took 2 vitamins at the same time and once I ate too fast.

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

A little tired, but not too bad. My energy level now is great

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

Flintstones Chewable Vitamins Urosodial for gallbladder Sublingual B-12 Flaxseed oil Liquid calcium citrate

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?

Have a little bit of nausea from time to time if I eat too fast or don't chew well. Only had 2 instances of vomiting - felt SO MUCH better afterwards. A little bit of dumping. Not much hair loss YET

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

Getting used to my new anatomy, knowing that my small intestine was now hooked to my tiny stomach. Geting to know when to stop eating or else

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

We have a gastic bypass support group on the Central Coast of California - LifeSavors. They have been very helpful

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

I have 5 one inch long scars on my belly. They are a little pink, but not bad. I expected this.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

When I hit 48# I plateaued (3 months out). I think it's starting to go down again, as I lost 2 more pounds. I am now 4-1/2 mo post-op. I hit a plateau @ 50# loss and stayed there for 2 weeks, at least. I have now lost an additional #10 pounds, making my loss #60 total. It was very frustrating to be at this plateau - I'm not a patient person!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I notice people are looking at me like they know me from somewhere but can't recall.