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

My best friend had it done. I needed to change, I needed a SEVERE change. Diets didn't help. When you're addicted to food, you will always have that drug around to simply survive. I needed that one thing that could atleast keep me from constantly inhaling food.

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

Actually I had NO trouble at all. I took very little time to be approved.

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

He was very friendly, open, and he just *cared* about my entire experience.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I just knew deep down this was for *me*.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted it done as soon as possible and he said he could get me in sooner with the full cut.

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've always been one to believe that God is watching over me. Its up to HIM how thing's go. I'm here for the ride. =)

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?

No one ever said not to. I think they were so used to me being morbidly obese for SO long that they didn't think anything would really change me.

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

I'm a stay at home *Grandma*.

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

I was in for 5 days. Slight mishap. The retractor blade hit my spleen and they couldn't save it, so I had to have blood transfusions etc. All in all it was a very nice stay though. Extremely wonderful nurses. I just basically brought *me*...lol

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

Well....I guess losing my spleen would be considered complications, but....I'm fine.

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 anxious..happy...and READY TO GO!

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

OMG, tired, weak, out of it. My body just took a hit I guess and it took me a gooooooood 3 months to feel like *me* again.

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

Actually I drove myself to the hospital that day. It is only about 7 miles from me.

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 lived on jello (sugar free), water, water water water, lol. To this day, I'm now 3 1/2 years out, I can't tolerate tomato soup or pumpkin pie. Darn!!!! At first I stuck to soft foods...then gradually tried this and that. I stick to my shakes no matter what anyone says! I will never stop taking them. I feel 100% better when I take them. I can basically eat just about anything, but I REFUSE to go back to the old habits of grazing. I just won't do it. I have a long life ahead of me and I"m not living it stuck inside the house feeling like an alien and not *allowed* to walk around in society. This is my time now....I've raised 4 children, I've sacrificed, I've worked in the *real* world..now...its MY time to live.

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

Days after.....absolutely NO activity...except to go to the bathroom. I was just simply WIPED OUT. Approximately 3 mths later I started moving more.

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

I take my B12 sublingual everyday, Calcium Citrate, One A Day, Iron, religiously. I also take an energy pill called *Energy Fuel*. GREAT STUFF! lol I eat 3 meals a day, but NEVER do I miss my 3 shakes in between. I eat healty, I eat small meals. I don't need to be SKINNY, I just need to be HEALTHY!

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?

Losing so much hair about 4 mths out was a real depression. But...it grows back!

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

Being extremely TIRED at first.

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

Well, I guess my kids were my best support group.

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

I have a nice big FROWN on my belly, lol.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Oh I go through those, and I've learned that a *number* on a scale means nothing. As long as I'm exercising, walking, eating right...I simply don't care what a worthless scale says. That man made thing isn't going to dictate if I'm a good person or not anymore!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Oh sure they do. Family members who didn't want a thing to do with me when I was heavy now think its OK to talk to me. Fortunately I don't find them ok to speak to..lol Some friends now want to go out, or be seen with me. But....I've decided I only spend time with those who always accepted me for *me*.