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

With Carney Wilson. My first impression was it was a surgery for the rich.

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

My initial response was that it was a breeze. But that really is not true. I researched by phone calls to my insurance company and the internet on what I should do to enable my doctors office to submit my request successfully the first time. It was not hard work, but it was the only way to make sure I was aware of what to expect.

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

EDUCATIONAL! It's the key to life. Educate yourself and those around you that will be involved or effected by this decision.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

There are so many factors that I could not possibly narrow it down to one event. However my priority was to be alive for my 7 1/2 year old daughter. I wanted to see her grow up and become an adult.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Research, education, and discussions with my surgeon and his staff.

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?

My biggest fear was dieing from complications. Though I knew I was going to have a premature death if I did not take this step in life. I have already shared with others, your fears are real and substantiated through the stats available for this surgery. Address the fear, weigh it out (no pun intended) and make your decision. DO NOT HAVE THIS SURGERY UNLESS YOU ARE 100% CONFIDENT THAT THIS IS THE RIGHT STEP FOR YOU!!

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 50/50. They were honest about how they felt and I understood it. It is risky choice. They were all 100% supportive after the surgery as I knew they would be.

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

My direct management was very supportive of my decision. I shared with him what I was pursuing from the beginning. As I did with family and friends. I was out of work for 8 weeks.

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

My stay in the hospital was angonizing. From the pain as well as my room mate. She was diagnosed with liver, lung and colon cancer. It was awful. I felt guilty that I was starting a new life and hers was ending. It was only 3 days...3 long days. If you tent to be hot all the time bring A CLIP ON FAN!

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

None

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 welcomed the anxiety. I knew I was making the right decision for me at the right time. I was just thrilled I had the courage to make the change.

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

Take you meds and do nothing except take care of yourself. I've shared with other this analogy. Your new tummy can only hold a little bit of liquid. Just like a new born baby. We must nurture and grow with it. It's fragile in the beginning and strong and healthy in the end.

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

It was only 46 miles from my house. Less then an hour

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.

Within the weeks of surgery, I ate very little. When I introduced new foods I dumped one way or another for about 3 weeks. At about 3 months post-op I started doing better with new foods. At 5 months I started introducing raw veggies...that was hard on my tummy to digest. But I did small amounts. There is only one thing I can not eat now that I could before, white fish, such as cod. I get sick right away.

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

I was lucky to be able to walk to the bathroom by myself the first couple of days home. Then I added steps every day and I have not stopped since.

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

daily multi vitamns, folgard 2x2

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 is hard because I had so much hair before. I know it is temporary and I am dealing with it. The vomiting was expected and short lived.

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

WoW the worst part...certainly not the surgery! It starts with the Protein Sparing Diet, then the pre-op endoscopy, the drinking of that awful stuff the day before my surgery. And finally the drain being removed. Holy toledo, ouch.

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

It's long, wide, reddish and I'm proud it has replaced my big belly.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Experiencing one right now...no measurement change or weight change in over two weeks. It's expected and I'm happy with my body trying to catch up.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

OHMYGAWD YES! People see me as a pretty women, and I am. I wear my makeup different. I do my hair (what little I have) different. I am obviously wearing different clothes. Men hold the door open, look me in the eye when they talk to me. Women do the same. Are the judging me still absolutely. But not condemning me.