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

I guess it was through the publicity of Carney Wilson.

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

I didn't have a problem. I had anthem blue cross/blueshield. I was never denied.

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

Roxanne Davenport is amazing. I wish everyone in the Roanoke Area would at least research her credentials. She was so informative at the first meeting. Her calm spirit, really put me at ease. I knew pretty much all the important information ahead of time, so I had very few questions. I just wanted to know how soon she could work me in!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I just made up my mind it was going to happen. I was teaching and hated my job- this was a good way to get out of it. I'm so glad I did it in January.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My doctor only does the surgery "open". there was no decision to be made.

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 had no fears! My mother was scared- and told me I was going to die. I just knew I would die if I didn't have the surgery. Four months later, I'm in a size 10 jean!

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?

Everyone was so supportive. I had 40 people visit the hospital. They all took shifts so I would never be alone. It was amazing. I would not do anything differently. This has been the best 4 months of my life!

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

I really didn't care how they would react. I knew I wasn't going to go back to work. I wanted to enjoy my weightloss and spend time exercising and walking.

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

Monday- Friday. Bring a body pillow- or two. It will make getting up out of the bed so much easier. Also, bring your make-up and shampoo. My sister came on the second day and gave me a bath. It was incredible. The water felt so good on my back.

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

None- what so ever. I went to Target the night I came home from the hospital.

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 had no anxiety. We went to Disney World three weeks after the surgery- drove 13 hours. We went in February because I was so cold from the rapid weight loss. I didn't have anxiety because I quit my job and just focused on healing and getting better.

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

I was up and out. I really didn't slow down, other than not doing the laundry (our laundry is located 3 flights down from the bedrooms and I couldn't carry the baskets). I also didn't clean as much- which was nice. I basically continued on with my "mommy" responsibilities. I think the success you have with recovery- lies in your mind.

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

My surgery was in my home town. About 5 minutes.

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 am not tolerant to anything. I can have whatever- only in tiny amounts. I think I make people nervous when we go out to eat because I eat so little and I'm done so fast. I ate a lot of soup in the beginning. We have a restaurant here that only sells soup - Just like "Seinfeld"- I ate lots and lots of potato soup. Now it makes me sick.

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

I walked every single day. I went to Target the night I got home to walk the aisles. Now I work out an hour a day- 16 weeks later. I walked all the parks at Disney three weeks after my surgery. I tried to never slow down.

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

Flinstones and Shaklee Multi-Vitamins. Also, vitamin b12

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?

hair loss has just started and I hate it.

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

Nothing. Thank goodness for Moriphine. (sp?) I also hated the Zantac...yuk

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

support group - once a month.

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

up and down- I use lots of coco-butter. Actually it's not too bad.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I was at 183 forever, then one day I woke up and I was at 172. It was weird.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

oh yeah. I like how they tell me how much weight I've lost, like I don't know.