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

I am not much of a TV person, so I was not exposed to the surgery that way. I had heard about Carney Wilson, but didn't link it to something that _I_ could do. It seemed like something for the rich and famous. My Mother's neighbors were both very overweight, until very recently. She spoke with them and they told her about their weight loss with the surgery. My mom was almost afraid to mention it to me, but I am so glad she did! She told me about her neighbors and then I went home and started researching. I spent 6 hours the first night on the internet. The more I learned the more I knew this was what I needed.

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

I made an appointment with the Bariatric Treatment Center in Grove City, Ohio and they took care of things for me from the beginning. My insurance already had a policy allowing it if the person was at least 100 lbs overweight, and there were 2 people from my office who had the surgery already. Things have moved very fast so far. I am close to approval in just 2 months. *crossing fingers*

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I knew even before I got very far with my research, and Fate(or God) seemed to step in for me. Things have fallen together very well. I have taken that as a sign. I was prepared to wait for an appointment with the surgeon, to wait for insurance and to wait for a date. I thought it would take 6 months or more. I don't believe that anymore.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon only preforms the open Rny. The info I've found before and since my meeting with my surgeon leads me to believe it is the best 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?

I am more afraid of living this way than I am from dying from complications of surgery. My quality of life has improved already. I've read so many stories about the surgery, most people only regret that they didn't do it sooner. I can't live my life wondering "what if?"

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?

I am determined this is right for me, and everyone has supported me. I think some are afraid for me, but everyone understands why I must do this.

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

My supervisor has been supportive from the begining. I mentioned that I needed to do something about my weight and her responce was, "Oh, are you going to have that surgery?" She knew about the procedure and knew people in the company who've had it. She will miss me while I am gone, but understands that I am doing this so I will miss less time in the future.

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

The Bariatric Treatment Center had just opened the hospital about a month before my surgery. It a beautiful building and the couches and chairs were very comfortable! I was there for 3 days. I took a fan, readin material and my phone book.....as well as the usual personal items. Many of these things I took home unused. I am a big reader, but was unable to read much in the hospital at all. Take as little as possible!

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

No complications from the surgery. They thought they might have left a sponge(or something similar) inside me.....but it turned out to be the bandaging on the outside. No worrys....the Dr. was very concerned and relieved when it worked out!

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 very well after I went home and was off the pain meds. My head started to clear and I could read and spend time on the internet. We went to Las Vegas 3 weeks after surgery! It was a good thing......we spent a lot of time walking. Eating was tough, but I learned a lot of lessons! I felt better every day.

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

My energy level was pretty high. I was doing housework (that should not have been doing) after about a week. I went to a meeting on me 13th day out. I was very tired but did well. Unfortunately, I was hungry from the beginning. The first 6 were hard, but nothing hard than any other Diet I had been on. Well worth the effort.

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

I was only 20 minutes from the hospital......but that ride home was a doozy! I don't envy anyone who has to travel very far.

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.

BTC puts you on a stage diet for the first 6 weeks. Clear liquids for the first week.....liquid for the next 2....the 4th and 5th week is pureed and finally soft foods for the last week. They give you a surgery "bible" to take home with detailed do's and don'ts As I said I was very hungry so I pushed the diet, but found that if I was craving something...just a taste was enough to take care of the craving. I am a big diet coke fan.....and since I wasn't getting enough liquid in....I started drinking caffeine free over ice at about 3 months out......it was usually more ice and water than bubbles so it was ok. I could not drink soda out of a bottle for a full year. I was pretty typical when it came to certain foods. Breads, pastas and some meats lay heavy......couldn't do steak until I was almost a year out.

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

It has increased! I am constantly on the go.

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

Prenatal vitamins are the only thing I'm supposed to take now. I took pepsid for a year after surgery. I have been bad about taking my vitamins but find they do make a difference in how I feel.

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've had a storybook life when it comes to this. I dumped once really bad in the second week out...after that not often at all. I only vomited twice, and that was becasue I ate too fast. I have lost a lot of hair......lucky for me I have a lot to lose. The more recent hair loss I think is because I haven't been taking my vitamins like I should....something I'm going back to doing!

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

The first six weeks after surgery were tough (since I felt hungry when no one else seemed to!), however the very worst thing was the insurance approval process and waiting on a surgery date!

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

I go to the local BTC support group and hope to soon be a co-leader. It is a very important part of my life, as much for helping others as for helping myself.

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

My scar is a scar and not straight at all! I have 2 c-section scars as well and am very proud of what they stand for.....I have that same pride in my bariatric scar!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Plateaus are horrible and should be outlawed! *laugh* Easier said than done......*sigh* I've found that many people have their worst plateau around 60 to 80 pounds lost...For me that was a point when I'd lost a lot of weight, but it really didn't feel or look like it to me. So the plateau was even worse. Going back to basics and getting my protein in is what kicked it for me.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I really don't think people treat me a differently....... I think I treat people different. I'm not so shy and feel that I'm not hiding behind my weight.