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

I had heard of it from several sources. I was very impressed with it when I seen Carnie Wilson, but still done nothing about it. A friend of my sisters had it done and told me that her insurance paid for it. That is when I got the Dr.'s name and went to see him.

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

I have United Healthcare (hmo), and was approved in less than a week; however I had diabetes and high cholesterol, with a family history of heart disease.

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

I was great!Dr. Wongsa was very friendly and seemed genuinely concerned for my health. He answered all my questions, and was there for me when I called with more questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had thought about it for a while, but when my family Dr. told me she was going to put me on insulin, and my Dad had a triple bypass. It scared me. I also had high cholesterol.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I got my Dr.'s name from a friend who had it. I just went along with what he thought would be good 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 really did not have any fears, I have had several other surgerys and have never had any complications.

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 great! they were all excited for me, although some were a little scared for me. I just explained to them that I would die soon anyway, if I did not do something now!

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

The head of Human Resources asked what was going on when I told her I was having surgery. I told her and she said "good for you". I had just had a hysterectomy about 6 months earlier and missed 6 weeks then, but they were all still very supportive. I went back to work on my 3rd week after the surgery, but sadly with the economy as it is....I was one of the last to go in a huge layoff only weeks later.

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

I had a very nice stay at my hospital. The nurses were great. I seen my Dr. 3 times each day that I was in there (3 days).

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

I had no complications at all, and still have not had any .

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 waited 5 weeks from the time that I first met with the Dr. The only anxiety I felt was from the excitement. I couldn't wait until the surgery,so I could start losing weight!

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

I was fine from the time I went home. I started getting pretty weak on my 3rd week, but I just got out and walked, and started feeling better in a couple of weeks.

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

I had to go about 55 miles.

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 was on liquids for the first week, and jello. I lost 20 pounds my first week. The second week I started eating protien (mostly meat). My Dr. said no carbohydrates, unbtil I reach my goal weight. I take 4 Flinstones chewables with iron daily. I was told to try to get most of my protien from meat, so I could learn my new way of eating.No shakes! It has been a little hard from time to time, but I have done well, since I'm never really hungry.

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

I have always been a homebody, never have exercised much, and still didn't after the surgery. It has been two and a half months now, and I am starting to have more energy, and am getting out more, and getting a lot more exercise.

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

Flinstone chewables with iron (4 per day).

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 only side affects that I have had thus far are- bowel movements are less frequent ( about once, every week and a half), I urinate about twice a day, and every once in a while I get a little discomfort after I eat.I just walk around until it digest.

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

I think the worst part was the morning after, when I had to have another upper GI, I was nauseated from the anesthesia, and had to drink that stuff. I thought I was going to be sick.

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

I did not have any aftercare group. I was in the Dr.'s office when I heard about obesityhelp.com from some other patients. It has been very helpful to me.

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

I have 5 very tiny, hardly noticable scars. Yes it is what the Dr. told me it would be like.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had 1 plateau, it lasted for about 2 weeks.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes I do! I have lost 60 pounds thus far, and have already noticed a difference. My mother in law has been paying more attention to me. My husband seems to not want me out of his sight, and I have had more men looking at me.