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

In 1999. A woman at work had the gastric bypass. I started researching weight loss surgery right then and there. Each time I would say to myself, with this surgery, you can never have chocolate cake again! And then I would stop moving forward towards weight loss surgery. Then one day, that same head trash reared its familiar, ugly head again. This time, though, I thought to myself, well, I have had enough chocolate cake. Once I was over that hurdle, I now had to convince my husband. It was now 2004 - four years after my initial inquiry into weight loss surgery.

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

Denied five times through two different offices and two different procedures. My advice is not to rely on the doctors office - empower yourself with knowledge about your specific policy and benefits. I had already been denied several times before someone had finally realized that Aetna didn't even have a benefit for Lap-Band! Moreadvice - start a physicial supervised diet and exercise program now - don't wait. Most insurance companies require one anyway, so get a jump start on it now. You need to see your doctor *at least* every 30-days, and your medical file needs to document your height, weight and BMI on each visit. Also, what type of diet? Pounds lost? What type of exercise? Frequency (3x a week?)? Intensity (45 minutes a day)? Also, discuss pharmaceutical intervention. Document, document, document!

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

Brief, but meaningful. Develop a list of questions that you want answered. Don't be embarrassed to ask difficult questions - this is your life! Also important - be on time!!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had my husband's full support.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided on the gastric bypass because it would cause the greatest weight loss, quickly. I wanted quick relief from my co-morbidities. Most importantly, I wanted to be subject to dumping syndrome, as I was a sweet (and fat) eater. I wanted a surgery that I couldn't defeat. I know my personality, and I knew that I couldn't be disciplined enough fro the Lap-Band.

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 was leaving my son without a mother. But I was also afraid of dying from my co-morbidities. To me, a person who is nervous about the surgery shows me a person who has truly researched and weighed the benefits of surgery v. the risks.

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 was supportive to my face, but now I know that they were very frightened. I have actually lost friends since surgery, because I am no longer the fat, "jolly" friend. Despite being happily married, one former friend actually called me her "rival." So sad. I was actually several months post-op before I finally found the courage to let people know that they were either in my corner...or not.

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

My supervisor was not very supportive at all. My staff, however, was very supportive. I knew that as soon as I started to lose weight quickly that there would be a lot of questions. Although I agree that it really isn't anyone's business, I was open about having weight loss surgery. I was working at home within five days of surgery. I was physically back at work after three weeks. I had the vacation time, and decided to use it to become familiar with my new routines. Physically, I could have gne back to work in a week. I was very tired, though.

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

After three hours in recovery, I was moved to my room. What a room! Was I in a hospital, or a hotel? I wasn't sure. My room had a couch, two chairs, a recliner, and...a hospital bed. Celebration Health only has 120 beds - all single rooms. Each room was designed to be an ICU room with minor changes. Very cool. I also had a flat panel touch screen that allowed me to surf the Internet or send email. I updated on the OH Florida board 16 hours post-op. Bring Chapstick and wear the most loose-fitting, comfortable clothes to the hospital. Everything else is provided.

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

No complications.

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

Like most post-ops, I experienced the "oh-my-God-what-have-I-done" feelings, but they were always fleeting. What I didn't realize is how much I used food as an anti-depressant! I am told that many post-ops have to be prescribed anti-depressants after surgery to cope.

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

Sore and tired. A lot of head trash and head hunger.

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

33 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 couldn't each chicken until I was six months post-op. No steak until a year post-op. I lived on protein drinks, bars, and petite quiches for the first 6 - 8 months post-op for protein.

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

I tried to do too much too soon because everyone assuredme that I would have this wounderful energy! They were wrong - I was exhausted.

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

I still use Building Blocks chewables - multi, calcium, CoQ-10, iron and B-12 sublingual spray. I also give myself a B-12 shot every week.

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 experienced hair loss at month 4, though month 10. Noticible in the shower, not on my head for the most part. My hair was long so the ends looked thin, so I cut my hair and added more protein to my diet. As soon as I increased my protein, the shower drain was cleaner!

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

Insurance - hands down.

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

U.S. Bariatric's support group is unbeatable!

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

No - my scars and thin and beautiful. Fading away quickly. I had my gallbladder out at six-months post-op. I can really tell the difference between the two surgeon's technique!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I just came off an eight-month plateau! The scale didn't budge, but I went from an 18W to a 12P in the same time frame. Follow all the pouch rulesand hide the scale. It will start moving again!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Absolutely. Sometimes it makes me angry, because I am the same person inside that I was when I had 151 more pounds on my frame.