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

My doctors suggested it to me when I was 27. I thought it was a little to radical, but as time has gone on, and the body and health have began to falter -- I found myself taking their advice.... Ten years later.

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

Be persistent. Insurance is all just a game, as I found out.... Persistence (without aggrivation) seems to have worked! (call often... And it doesn't hurt to "make friends" with the appropriate people!) My nurse navigator was almost happier over the approval than I was (well that is an exaggeration, but she helped me A LOT!)

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

I was embarrassed (as usual) when I met with my surgeon. As just minutes prior to that I had found out exactly how much I REALLY weigh -- no guessing --- HARD COLD NUMBERS... I wanted to sit and cry, but Dr. Halversen was very kind to me, answered all the questions I had, and helped me to feel comfortable with the decision I had made. He is a very nice man, however, he calls em as he sees em and it was a little harsh... lol... I love this man -- he has made the world of difference in my life!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My health....

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Discussed the options with my surgeon, and opted for the RNY it seemed to be the right choice 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?

My biggest fear about this operation was death.. I have a beautiful son, and I didn't want to leave him.... However, on the flip side, of that coin... If I didn't do something, I was going to leave him all alone in this world anyway. My health was failing, and I couldn't get around. I didn't want to sit in a chair and watch life any longer... I wanted to LIVE....

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 and friends were appauled at my decision. They thought I was crazy to do something this "harsh" to myself. What they didn't know is that === just because I was alive --- didn't mean I was living. There is a HUGE difference. The pain I lived with every day, they had no concept of. How could they? My best friend actually termed it as "self mutilation", and needless to say, since I opted to go forward, she has not spoken one word to me. My husband, was irate that I would take such a stupid "chance" just to be skinny. NO ONE understands this is not about being SKINNY... It is about being HEALTHY... About LIVING -- not simply existing.. I had to do what was best for me and my son... IF I died having surgery, well, at least I would have died TRYING to help myself... If I continued the way I was -- I was going to die anyway --- You tell me... Which option sounds the best to you?

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

I did not tell my employer what I was doing, as I felt this was a very personal decision. I was off work for 8 weeks, I had complications, and it took me a while to regain composure --- shall we say!

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 sucked... I've never experienced the kind of pain that this surgery brought me... However, I AM a SURVIVOR! lol... I made it, and would do it again in approximately 1/2 of a heartbeat!~ I packed my entire house to go to the hospital... And much to my surprise. The only things I used were slippers (for hiking the halls! boy that was a good time!). Chap stick (cuz my lips felt a lot like sand paper). Lotion (for the obvious reasons). And my robe (to cover that lovely gown that was provided at the hospital (Atleast it fit I guess --- but boy was I stylin!)... The rest of the stuff stayed in the closet... What a waste of packing energy! What the heck, it gave me something to do in those hours when I was driving myself nuts!

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

My spleen ruptured during the surgery, and I hemorraged. I had to have transfusions, and also adhesions tore my liver and pancrease which both had to be mended. After returning home, I was sick all the time, so I got on Obesityhelp.com and asked what to do, and all the wonderful people there told me to call my surgeon, which I did. I had to have an endoscopy -- and life was all good again!

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

In the early weeks after surgery, I hated myself, and everyone around me. I had no idea what I was in for.... Soon I calmed down, and went with the process my body was going through, and it all worked out. I hate the fact still that I look as if I have mange, but it is JUST hair. It will grow back - right? And besides I feel soooo good, that the hair issue just doesn't seem to matter!

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

I was sooooo tired. Not to mention I was on oxygen. I remember gas being a major pain (literally).... For the most part I try not to remember those weeks -- they were NOT my favorite part of life... Trust me! But once they were past! Wooo Hooo! Look out world -- I'm baccckkk!

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

I traveled 250 miles to have surgery. It was a pain in the butt to travel for the aftercare, when I felt so crummy. But my surgeon is the best! So it was definitely worth it!

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.

Right out of the hospital. I couldn't eat anything -- not even water without getting sick... I have however, introduced all foods since (except sugar) and am doing wonderful! I'm sooooo happy!

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

I am taking a multi vitamin, calcium, and triniscon (which the doctor gave me for my low blood levels).

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?

Nausea was the worst. For about 2 months after surgery, everything made me sick. My father and husband forced me to eat, and soon it passed. Vomiting, hurt soooo bad, but at least it was "small" in portion, finally learned what I was doing wrong, and it seems to have taken care of itself. At 6 months out. My hair is still falling out, and I'm not coping well with that... But it will ALL work out... It's all good....

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

The pain... I just wasn't ready for it.... I knew it was gonna be unpleasant, but I never dreampt HOW unpleasant...... And I miss diet coke.... My old buddy.... Old friend.....

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

We have a support group meeting once a month. It is nice to get together with people who are experiencing the same things as you.. Get ideas, and an understanding ear to listen.

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

My scar is fine... I thought it would be much larger and uglier.. I have NO complaints...

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I'm hard on myself... So I'm always on a plateau.... Until I reach my goal weight!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes I do.... And I think they are ALL shallow -- I have no time for them.... I'm still me... My body is changing... My heart has not faltered....