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

I had ran into a friend who had the surgery and she told me of this website...and as soon as I got on to the site, I was on it day and night...sometimes it seemed I didnt sleep for being on it and reading all about the stories and all that the surgery had to offer

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

I was very lucky, I had no problems with my insurance. I was approved right away. Some people had been upset over that due to the fact that I had not battled obesity like they had, but I did all the procedures required. And they did approve me the first time requested. It was a great relief to me. I was ready to get my life back!!!

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

My (ex) husband and I started going to meetings, and we asked many questions and listened to everyone who was post op, one meeting my surgeon just happen to be the speaker, and that is when I knew SHE was the one I wanted to do my WLS...she was awesome and answered all the questions, took her time, and gave us all the info we needed. Anyone considering WLS must go to meetings first and listen and ask alot of questions...do not just jump into it...this is a MAJOR life change....and a MAJOR surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

After all the meetings, meeting with Dr. Barnes and talking to my family and friends...I decided I not only wanted it, but that I NEEDEED it... Although some family and friends did not want me to have it...but they were not living my life...so they did not know what I was going thru.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon was really the one that decided the best procedure for me, and I also felt it was the best as well.

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 did have many fears, I think my main fear was blod clots, and even dying during the surgery. I sat down one night, while my husband was at work and my kids were asleep, and wrote out my will, I even wrote out my own obituary with the songs I wanted to play, what to wear, and where to be buried. I left each person a personal letter sealed in envelopes with their names on them, I did not want my family wondering what to do " just in case" and it was all sealed in a large envelope with the words "JUST IN CASE" written on it. I had also kept a journal, and in the journal I had also had a section stating things to do " just in case".....A year after my WLS, I burned it....

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?

There were mixed feelings with each person...some where behind me 100% AND some were not wanting me to have it , telling me to get off my "fat" butt and take the weight off myself....I talked to them in a very serious manner and told them I could not get it off without having the WLS. They were all concerened, they loved me and did not want to loose me, and I understood that, but I had to do this for me..for my future...for my health....and they were all there when I went into surgery and were there when I woke up!!!! And I got alot of support....before, during and after....they understood...

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

I was not working, so that was a good thing for me...I actually could not work do to the weight....but that all changed

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

I went in on May 22, 2003, my daughters 21st birthday, she was a little mad that I could not celebrate with her, but I told her that in a year we would be celebrating... My stay was 4 days, I was up walking soon after they put me in my room, we were to make a round around the nurses station, and I did it...walking promotes healing...and although it was painful, I had to do it and wanted to. The main things to bring are, change of clothes, something loose so that you can do your walking, house shoes, socks, your basic toiletries, women may need to put sanitary pads just in case, I had a complete hystorectomy so I did not, But I had heard that some women would start their monthly cycle for some reason, so that is a must, chapstick, hair stuff, magazines, and if you keep a journal be sure to bring that, I had my visitors and nurses sign mine....DO NOT BRING ANY FOOD!!!! Women, you may want to have your makeup, but you probably wont feel like putting it on....OH and bring LOTION!!!! Thinik that might be all...unless your doctor gives you a list!

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

I did not have any complications at first, but I did have to be "scoped" a few 7 times...lol... I had to be dialated due to not being able to swallow or keep anything down. I was also in for dehydration and lack of potassium, but I handled it well and it all went well. I did have to have my gallbladder removed 8 months after surgery...they were supposed to take it out at the time of my WLS but didnt, and so, after months of pain that I knew had nothing to do with "my pouch" they removed it ...and then I was great!!!

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

Well, I got a date of April 28th 2003, but during a scope found the ulcers, so I had to be put on meds to get rid of them so I had to reschedule, and yes I was a little upset, but at least it was just less than a month, we did another scope right before my date..and then it was set!! I was very happy, excited, nearvous, anxious, you name it...and SCARED, but I knew I was doing the right thing...I remember the whole family got together and we all went out to eat...kinda of a "last meal" for me, but I had my own "last meal" by myself....and I didnt even eat it all....I was already preparing to eat LESS...and I did!

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

The things you never noticed will appear...for me, it was watching t.v. and it seemed every commercial was a food commercial...the taco bell and Mcdonalds ones...it became a joke when my cousin would call me..she would ask me "what ya wathcin, Taco Bell or McDonalds?"...lol it was funny, I was mad when I got home, I kept saying to myself 'WHAT HAVE YOU DONE....WHAT HAVE YOU DONE"......THEN THE SMELLS....MY HUBBY COOKING SUPPER FOR HIM AND OUR SON....IT WOULD MAKE MY MOUTH WATER AND I WOULD CRY BECAUSE I KNEW I COULD NOT EAT IT, AND I KNEW IT WAS MY CHOICE THAT PUT ME THAT WAY....AND AGAIN I WAS MAD AT MYSELF, UNTIL....I STEPPED ON THE SCALE....the weight was coming off!!!!!! AND everyday got better and better..........BUT, it was not easy at all......not at all!!!! MAY 22, 2003 WAS A REBIRTH FOR ME, I had to learn to eat all over again......like a baby......and it was the hardest thing in the world..........and I was depressed for a while, BUT I would step on the scale....I was loosing weight! That was my goal........that was my decision, that is what I was doing........so, the anger and depression slowly left me.....and then.........was gone!

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

I did not have to travel, my hosptial was in my town...so that was good.......it was a long ride....lol...since we lived out in the country. But it was close

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 gosh where to begin...all I could have when I got home was an ounce of water or sugar free kool aid, broth, s/free jello, s/free popcycles...my hubby made me s/free ice cubes which were the best!!! I sucked on them..it took me forever to drink water...I had never been one until after my WLS. I could not have ANYTHING....each month I was given a list of things I could gradutate to having....but some of the things did not set well with me...But each person is different and each doctor is different.....

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

It became more and more active, the more I lost the more energy I had...but it took me a while...and I walked alot! THAT IS THE KEY! WALK, WALK, WALK...IT PROMOTES HEALING ALOT FASTER....AND IT DID!

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

I take over the counter vitamins...everyone and doctor is differnt, I also give myself a vitamin b-12 shot every month! Not for any major reason, just that my doctor and I agreed it was good for ME....

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 did have some hair loss, but it was not very noticeable, when I showered alot came out in my hands..I dumped some, my mouth watered alot, my sleeping was way off...I kinda got my days and nights mixed up....and I slept alone for a while....the dogs always slept with us, but they could not sleep with me so that they would not jump on my stomach, and that hurt me bad, I could not sleep alone, we would let 1 lay with me during the day, she was older and she would not jump on me but the other 2...lol....well, they had to wait till momma got better....lol......But all in all it was all going well, except the bandages and tape left my stomach so red and itching and it was bad looking...so I used a over the counter cream and all was good!

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

That is a tough question to answer....the whole thing is a major life change.......so it is hard to have to learn to have only an ounce of something while the family is in the other room eating a big meal......and then there is a problem with the spouse not being able to handle the weight loss and sometimes the results are devistatiing...such as divorce...and yes I am a statistic of that, I would have never imagined it would happen to me but it did.....but it happened much later after my WLS...2 years after...BUT there are some wonderful things.......so I am ok now......

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

The only thing I did after WLS were the monthly meetings. It is VERY important to do that, so that you will be with others that have gone thru it...they help you with your post op treatment, and it helps pre-ops as well.

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

At first my scars were very visible, but I was very lucky and 6 months post, you could not even tell I had any type of surgery, and as of today 2/7/07 you still cant tell! But everyone is different and we all heal differently!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

One (1) year after my WLS I was at my goal I had gone from 230 to 125.....it was great...I was healthy, I looked 10 years younger, I could do everything and anything...even the fashion show at the 2004 convention and I modeled sexy lingerie....and wore a bikini with no scars showing at all....I even had people think I was just there with someone for support, not a WSL post op....but I was...

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES!!!!!