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

When I was a child, people would beg me to just lose weight so that I wouldn't have to have my "stomach stapled". I don't remember when there was a time that I didn't know. I began seriously thinking about it for a year or so. Seeing others who have had success with it made me less hesitant.

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

I was approved after first submission and that was because my insurance company has just changed its policy. My surgeon's office has handled everything.

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

My initial meeting with Dr. Wright was pretty brief. I had plenty of time, but had already researched this whole procedure very thouroughly. He seemed to understand that, but didn't mind my questions. We had already spoken on the phone once as well.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I decided to finally have surgery because my weight reached 427 last year and I am beginning to have many health problems. I have Type II diabetes and hypothyroidism. I am infertile and have been diagnosed with PCOS. Socially, I am tired of stares and requesting tables at restaurants. I want to be able to enjoy life. To enjoy sex and feel feminine.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I have investigated both Roux en Y and Fobi pouch procedures. There are two surgeons in Nashville, one who does RNY and one who does Fobi. They both seem alright, but the surgeon I chose seems more cautious and seems to have a better track record, as well. I also trust Vanderbilt much more than the "other" hospital.

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 am two weeks pre-op at this writing and I am somewhat unnerved, but I know that there are so many people praying for me and I know that the Lord will take care of me, either way.

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?

The whole town has been VERY supportive. I get calls and letters almost every day and a trip to Wal-Mart means SEVERAL people will stop and talk with me, wanting the latest update. I truly hope that they are this way during my recovery.

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

My boss, the principal at my school, is such a wonderful and caring man. He has encouraged me all the way. We have only worked together for a year, but he sees how hard this weight is for me and has always been very accomodating. I told him everything and he promised to pray for me. He also reassured me to keep my health in focus and not to worry about the time off or missed in-service. What a guy!

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

I was in for five days. I was glad that I knew to bring a fan. Wish I had taken sanitary napkins, since I needed them almost immediately post-op.

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

I became dehydrated and had difficulty breathing and the doctor suggested that I receive two units of blood. I accepted this offer relunctantly, only after they promised that it would help my breathing. It did.

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 stayed online from the time I found out I was approved until the day before I went to the hospital. This is how I coped.

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

I was so tired that it scared me. I was amazed at how much energy it took just to take a shower. This improved greatly in weeks four and five. I had almost no pain, however.

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

I was two hours away from the hospital.

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.

Beef was difficult at first. Later, only fatty foods and sugar gave me any real problems. Two to three years post-op, I became hypoglycemic when I overate carbs...

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

For two years I walked 4 times a week for two miles. Then I moved to an area without a convenient place to walk and regained about 20 pounds. Two years after that, I moved again and joined Curves, which allowed me to lose 18 pounds. Then I got pregnant...stay tuned!

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

I take calcium chews--sometimes Viactiv and sometimes Caltrate chewables. I also take a chewable prenatal, but before pregnancy, it was 2 Flintstone chewables each 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?

I did have to have a hernia repair and panniculectomy, but I was glad to get rid of that horrible "skin apron".

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

The psychological changes that I didn't expect or foresee. :)

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

It is certainly important to have an aftercare plan. I had my surgery in 2000, so I had to kind of build one for myself. I went to counseling for 2 years and also found a fitness program that worked for me at the time.

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

My scar if from a full incision. Added to that, I now have a horizontal scar from hip to hip from the panniculectomy, but I don't mind. The extra skin on my back--I HATE!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I started at 430 and ended up at 237. I would love to lose down to 200, but I have come very far, so I am happy with the results!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes :) That made me mad at first, but later I realized that we all carry prejudice in some form or another.