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

I had a friend that had it done and had instant success and she was the reason I checked into it. I was very impressed with the whole weight loss surgery aspect. I just didn't realize how many different kinds there were until I started researching it. Now is when I should thank, Belinda, my friend.

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

It was a battle in itself. I had to have a in-person hearing and a telephone conference with the administrative law judge, the insurance company's attorney, their doctor and my PCP. My best advice is don't give up. Don't take no for an answer.

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

I knew Dr Husted was the one when I met him. He was so sweet, genuine and informative. They have a seminar that you have to attend before you meet with the surgeon and I feel that is a big benefit to the patient because it gives you so much information and help you to narrow down your choice for surgery to see if you and the Doctor are on the same page.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The fact that I weighed 352.5 pounds had a little bit to do with my decision. Seriously, it was either have surgery or die from heart disease, diabetes or some other health condition related to my obesity.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I did lots and lots of research and finally decided that the switch was the best procedure for me. Check into them all and weigh all the pros and cons and then make your decision don't let someone talk you into "their" surgery because it may not be the best decision for you.

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 didn't have any fears. If I died from the surgery at least I died trying to improve my life by having weight loss surgery.

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 all very supportive of my decision to have weight loss surgery. They were very supportive after surgery too. I am very blessed to have a great support team. Not to mention, that the doctor's office is very supportive too.

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

I had surgery on Monday and went home on Saturday. My hospital stay was great. My only complaint was that some of the nurse's cologne was a little strong for someone that just had major surgery and very sensitive sense of smell. I would say thongs to wipe with are important but the most important thing for me was fans. I used 2.

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

While in the hopsital my blood pressure was high and I ran a temp which the nurses/docs had to contend with. I just tried to get better and try not to worry about them.

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 very weak and tired. But the most important thing that I kept reminding myself was that each day I got stronger.

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

You should expect to be very tired and weak and not able to eat much at all but then again that is the least of your worries at this point. Just hang in there it gets better. Just remember too that everyone is different and no two patient's stories are the same.

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

I traveled 3 1/2 hours for my surgery. The distance was a pain when I was discharged cause I had to get out of the car about every 30-45 minutes to walk and keep from forming a blood clot. It was difficult finding someone that could take me to the doctor because it was so far away and a time difference.

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 had told myself over and over again PROTEIN PROTEIN so even now I eat my protein first. The first 2 weeks after surgery you can only eat what you can get through a straw and then at the 3rd week you can eat soft foods like cottage cheese and things like that. At 4 weeks you can eat whatever you want but remember you have to eat 80 grams of protein a day. That is a lot of protein but it is very important. You don't have to try to eat all 80 grams in one meal. With the switch you will eat about every 3-4 hours. Just be sure to not overdue it, which you will, or you will throw up.

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

For the first 8 weeks after surgery I was only allowed to swin or walk which it was cold weather so I didn't swim but I did try to walk as much as possible or I should say as much as tolerated. Don't overdue it or you will pay for it.

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

High potency multi-vitamin, ferrous fumarate, Calcium citrate plus Vitamin D, and A, D, E & K.

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?

Fortunately for me, I have very thick hair but at about 3 months my hair starting falling out and didn't stop until 9 months. I couldn't believe how much I lost. I also took hair supplements when my hair was coming out but stopped once it stopped coming out. There wasn't anything I could do about the hair loss but take the supplements which made me feel better about it.

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

Not losing the weight overnight. You think I am having weight loss surgery today and tomorrow I will be thin. Not so. You have to work at it and be on a very strict diet even after weight loss surgery. You must remember it is a tool that the surgeon gives to you or consider it a gift but you have to use it to your advantage or fail trying.

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

I am a facilitator here in my area and we have two meetings a month. I have found them to be very informative and very important not only emotionally but physically as well.

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

Well now that I have had plastic surgery the centepede that I once had is now replaced with a thinner line.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I guess about my year mark it was hard for me cause the weight loss slowed down so much. When you go from losing 30 pounds a month to only losing 5 it is a big reality check for you.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

The ones that matter don't treat me any differently but there are those that try to be my friend now because I am "thinner" or more appealing to the eye or more socially acceptable. I figure if they didn't have time for me when I was the big Kathy they don't have time for the smaller but same Kathy.