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

I first heard about bariatric surgery on Television. It was a comercial from the Bariatric Treatment Center. Then I followed Carnie Wilson in her journey. My first impression was "wow, maybe this is the answer to my health problems." I did a lot of research before I made my decision!

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

I had no problems with getting approved. I gave my doctor the required paper-work that he had to fill out, I filled out what was required of me, then I got to meet my surgeon. I began the process of getting approved in the last week of August. I saw my surgeon on September 9th, and my surgery was for October 1st. My advice is to make sure that your doctor has documented every attempt that you have made to lose weight. Whether it be medication, diets, or any exercise programs.

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

My surgeon made me feel comfortable, right from the start. He is a very calm and laid back person, so this helped me to relax. I wrote down questions that I wanted to ask him,and took them with me to my appointment. He answered every one of them like they were the most important questions that he has ever been asked. He is still one of my biggest supporters. He goes to the support group meetings, and I see him in the hospital while I'm visiting patients. He always tells me how great I look!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was tired of losing and gaining more back. I had diabetes, acid reflux, high blood-pressure, sleep apnea, and my asthma was out of control. Not to mention, all of the pain my back, legs, feet,and every part of my body was in. I wanted to feel human again. I wanted to be a participant in my family's life, and not just an observer.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I had done a lot of research about the different procedures, and decided that the gastric bypass was the most permanent and had the least amount of problems post/op. The Lap-band, although only allowing you to eat small amounts, still allows you to eat whatever you want. The gastric bypass not only restricts the amount of food you can consume, it also restricts the amounts of fats and sugars you can eat. I loved the thought of this!

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?

As with any major surgery, there is always apprehension. But, I was more afraid not to have the surgery. My health was not good, and getting worse. I knew that what ever the outcome, I would not regret my decision. I explained this to my family, before the surgery. I didn't wan't them to be angry with me, if something did happen. I needed them to understand that this was my last chance for health and happiness. I had GREAT support from every member in my family!

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 and friends were very supportive, right from the beginning. Everyone who knew me and loved me, had seen me struggle with my weight, my entire life. They were very proud of me, and said that I was brave for making such a decision to improve my life. My family and friends, visited me, and checked on me after my surgery. My husband has been VERY supportive. He told me that he loved me no matter what I decided. I told him that I loved him too, but I had to this for me. He is very proud of me, and we are able to go places and do things that we never were able to do before.

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

I wasn't working at the time of my surgery.

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

I don't like being in the hospital, but because I was there by a health decision that I made, it wasn't so bad. Most of the nurses were helpful and understanding. There were some that did not belong having a job working in the healthfield. These people didn't have any compassion for obesity, and were not tolerant or helpful after the surgery. I went in on a Wednesday morning, and I went home 3 days later, Saturday morning. You should bring very loose clothing to wear when you go home. Chapstick or a moisturizer for your lips, because you will be very dry.

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

I had an infection wear my drain tube was.(port) I called my surgeon, and he prescribed an antibiotic and told me to come in to have the tube and staples taken out. This was ok with me, because I got to have these things out, early! Two months out, I developed a stinosis in my pouch. This is a narrowing from scar tissue. I wasn't able to keep any food or liquids down. I had to have an endoscope put into my new pouch, then the doctor dilated the opening where it was closing from scarring. I woke up during the procedure, so I was given extra Morphine. I got very sick from this. I had to spend the night in the hospital, because I was vomitting from the Morphine. I can't imagine taking this drug, recreationally! What should have been a couple of hours in the hospital, turned into a nightmare. But, even after all of this, I would do it all over, again. I would strap myself down, and put the epidural in my back, myself! This surgery was the best decision that I have ever made regarding my health!

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 nervous, but I kept telling myself that I was making the right decision. "You've tried EVERYTHING else to lose weight. You're not able to do it on your own. This is the tool that is going to help you become the healthy, thin person that you have always wanted to be."

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

I was sore, but not in too much pain. I had already been through 3 c-sections, so this pain wasn't any different to me. I had to sleep in a recliner for two months, because it was very difficult for me to get up and down from a couch or a bed. You do not want to lay on your side. This pulls too much! I followed my doctors directions EXACTLY! I made sure that I drank enough liquids, protein drinks, and took my vitamins. You're not able to consume very much at one time, so make sure you put your drinks in the refridgerator, and or reheat your drinks. Sip slowly, and NO STRAWS! You do not want to swallow air because it is uncomfortable.

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

The hospital that I had my surgery in, is only 1 1/2 miles from my home. That was very convenient. When my husband picked me up, it took me 5 minutes to get into the car! I couldn't figure out how to sit down, without my belly hurting. It was my own fault, though. I didn't like the taste of the pain medicine, so I didn't take it before I left. My husband made me take the pain medicine, when I got home. But, I only took it for that first day home. That stuff tasted nasty to 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.

The first week, my doctor had me on clear liquids only. This included broth, sugar-free popsicles, sugar-free jello, and diluted applejuice. The next two weeks, I was on full liquids, which included: No Sugar Added Carnation Instant Breakfast Drink; sugarless, fat-free pudding, fat-free yogurt, tomato soup, and cottage cheese. I also liked sugar-free, fat-free ice-cream! Then it was time for the pureed foods, yeah! I ate crackers and cheese, crackers and liver sausage, refried beans w/ melted cheese, tuna fish, egg salad on toast or crackers. (Soft breads are very difficult to get down because it balls up in the pouch.) Srambled eggs, sometimes tasted good and sometimes did not. Hamburger, crumbled and drained, was good with A1 sauce or ketchup. Mashed potatoes was one of my favorites because I could use real butter! That's another miracle of this surgery, you don't use a lot of anything, so you can use the REAL thing. You have to use fat-free/skim milk because anything above that(2% or whole), will make you sick.

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

I was extremely obese, so my activity before the surgery was limited. I walked a lot after the surgery. I didn't do any house work for at least a month, for fear of getting a hernia. I also did not want my belly rubbing against anything. Every day, I had more energy than the day before. My energy level is awesome, now!

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

After the surgery, my doctor had me taking Flinstones chewable vitamins and Tums. I have been taking Centrum Silver, Viactiv, and an iron pill, since two months after my surgery.

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 didn't have much nausea, and I only vomit when I don't chew my food well, before I swallow. As for the dumping, you learn real quick, what will make you sick. Foods high in fats and sugars still make me sick, so I try to stay away from those foods. A food that you can tolerate one day, may make you sick the next time. You just have to keep trying new foods. I kept a journal of the foods that I ate, and wrote down my reaction to them. This helped me until I was able to tolerate everything.

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

Liv-lite has a Support group, that meets at the hospital where I had my surgery. We meet twice a month. I love to see everybody's progress! We share our feelings, and any concerns that we may have. Our surgeons come to these meetings to answer any questions that we have. We also have fundraisers to spend time together, such as our Christmas Party, picnics, and a dinner cruise. I love my support group because I share something in common with these people, that is life changing. We all look to each other for reassurance and words of encouragement. I am also a Liv-lite Angel. I visit patients in the hospital, who have had the bariatric surgery. I want to give them encouragement, and to show them that this is the tool that is going to help them on the road to good health. When I show them my before pictures, they say "WOW!" Then they thank me for coming to see them. It means alot to these patients for someone to show them that the surgery does work. It gives them hope, and makes it easier to deal with the pain and unpleasantries of the surgery. It also makes me feel good, to give them hope!

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

My scar is about 6 inches long. I was not concerned about what my scar was going to look like. I show it off all of the time. I'm very proud of my scar!!!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am almost 8 months out from my surgery, and I am still losing a pound to 3 pounds a week. I have not experienced a plateau, yet. But when I do, I will not be concerned, because I know that the weight will start coming off, again. With every pound I lose, I know that I will never see the number above it, again! I know with certainty, that I will never be obese, again!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES! I have noticed that people are more welcoming to me. People that wouldn't give me the time of day, are now starting conversations with me. I use to get angry at this. I thought, to myself, "I am the same person that I was before I had the surgery. How was a 362lb. woman invisible?" I don't get angry anymore, but it truly is a "skinny-minded" society that we live in. My husband, kids and family are very proud of me. They all tell me that I am a very brave person, to have made the decision to have surgery that helped change my health from bad to excellent!