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

I was blown away when I first heard of weight loss surgery and I wanted it but wasn't large enough. One I was around 250# and rising, I decided I wanted LapBand surgery. I did an entire year of research which ultimately led me to the opposite end of the spectrum- open Duodenal Switch.

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

Research. I had no problem getting approval. Know the requirements for your insurance coverage such as having co-morbidities and a specific bmi. Plus knowing the process is crucial. So many months seeing a nutritionist etc.

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

Seminar for DS at the hospital. I knew it was for me. I love my surgeon, Dr Gary Anthone from Omaha Nebraska.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The hardcore facts on success, lack of complications verses other weight loss surgeries. Speaking with veterans of gastric bypass, DS and Lap Band.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

All the reasons above.

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 had very minor fear. I was ecstatic and the research helped a ton.

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?

99% of the people in my life did NOT Agree. I am a badass rebel (hehe) and I typically do whatever I want anyway and I did. I looked towards support groups for support.

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

Luckily I was unemployed (the market crashed in 2008). My recovery was very hard so I would have lost job if there was one being held for my return.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

Thrilled. I knew I was in the right place. This was my answer. My ticket to getting me back.

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

I was in the hospital probably five days. Since I had open DS, my recovery was soooo hard. Bring a wifi device like tablet, ipod, cell phone. Brush, deodorant, slippers, toothbrush. Keep it simple.

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

Had my jtube in for 8 weeks due to extreme nausea, pain and unable to eat/drink as needed. I dealt with it day by day. I had buyers remorse just as Dr Anytime told me I would.

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

See previous answer. I didn't have anxiety after. I was just very sick and hurting badly.

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

I was so ready to go home. Wrong!! When I got out of the comfort of my halal room and went home, my sister and husband had to help dress and undress me, change my dressings and dry my tears. Remember- my surgery was open and not laparoscopic.

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

It was local for 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 could not have much. Eggs made me throw up and got a long time I could not have any ground beef either. I bought these tiny little bowls to remind me I can't eat the same amount. It's easy to fill your plate like your used to.

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

None for nearly five months then I reluctantly pulled myself out of bed after I hit the 100# loss mark and started doing P90X. (Extreme in-home fitness program)

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

I'm a rock star. After starting P90X, I learned about Shakeology (total wellness/dense nutrition shake) and the business behind it- Beachbody. To this day, I consume the following: Shakeology daily Protein shakes (plant based as I've gone vegan. Gasp! And no, I haven't died.) Calcium Vitamin d3 50,000iu twice/week Prenatal vitamin (has iron in it) Other than that- I eat very well. Clean Eating and vegan.

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?

8 weeks: jtube in, nausea, pain, vomiting Very minor hair thinning. Reading success stories of others helped pass the time.

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

1. Recovery. 2. Waiting for the surgery date to arrive!

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

Facebook groups, helpful in many ways however the opinions and judging I see and feel can be irritating. Not a big fan of those groups due to comments I get from what I call DS know-it-alls.

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

Large, vertical and maybe 8" long. Ejected it since it was open.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

It's normal. Increase water, track everything you consume, increase protein, don't let your body get used to any workouts. Mix it up!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Big time. I'mmm Baaaaack! There is jealousy and there are the occasional haters that say terrible things about how I had to have surgery to get thin. I'm not invisible anymore.