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

I first heard about the bariatric surgery years ago and thought to myself "Theres NO way I would ever do that to my body" and I had it in my mind back then that people who did that was just taking the easy way out. BOY WAS I WRONG!!!! In Feb of this year I was surfing the net and came across a site for Dan Schults. He is a radio host for Lighten Up America. I listened to his show then contacted Dan about his surgery. He was so informative and I bought his book. I then found Obesityhelp.com. Oh MY GOD did I ever learn about the surgery and got to see first hand the before and after pictures and read all the stories. I found myself NOT to be alone in the fight against fat. After days of going to Obesityhelp.com I knew in my heart that surgery wasnt the easy way out but instead a helping hand in getting my life back.

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

The best advice I can give people about getting approval for the surgery is to make sure they go to there surgeon with all the medical records in hand that they need, and any other documents that their doctor requires. The more prepared you are the easier it is and the faster it is for your doctor to get your approval.

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

Wow my first visit with my surgeon was awsome. I had really researched the surgery before going to see Dr. Watson so I my questions wrote down. When we got to his office my husband and I met with Karen his nurse. She was so helpful as well as she has had the surgery herself. My poor husband couldnt get over Karens before picture (that is life size of her hanging on the wall behind her desk) and how she looks now. Then we met Dr. Watson. He took so much time with use explaining everything I would be going through, and how important it was going to be for my husband to support me and help me. He completely showed my husband from start to finish what the surgery consisted of and never once made us feel like he was in a hurry to get to the next patient or that any of our questions were stupid. By the time the consultation was over my husband was completely at ease with me having surgery and understood how important each step of the surgery and life after it. Its kinda hard to explain but from the moment I/we met Dr. Watson I knew that I was going to be in very talented hands and I was totally at ease.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I finally decided to have the surgery for sure after meeting with Dr. Watson. I was a little scared before meeting him about all the risks and horror stories you hear about this surgery. Dr. Watson totally explained everything and set my worries aside.

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

My surgery was in the morning so I had to be to the hospitl quite early. The staff was great. I was up and walking right after they brought me back to my room from recovery. At 6am the morning after surgery I stopped all pain meds and never took any since then. I was in the hospital for 3 days.

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

Yes I had a complication to the food I received the morning after surgery. I got carnation instant breakfast and it caused me to start puking. I puked from 10am until 2am. non stop every 10 min. My temp rose to 104 they packed me in ice to get it down. My doctor ordered the upper GI Test. They found no leaks thank god. And as quickly as the puking started it stopped and all was well. I havent had any problems since.

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

Wow I was kinda in shock at first. For when I first went to the doctors office they said that it takes up to 16 weeks from the first visit until surgery. Well I was there on the 3rd of March and on April 1rst they called with my date of April 24th. So I was a little amazed. Oddly enough I really never had any anxiety about the surgery I was just wanting it to hurry up and get here. Like I have said before Dr. Watson made me feel so comfortable about everything that I wasnt nervous.

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

I was a little sore the first three days. But not bad really. The day after I came home from the hospital I went out shopping and since we were in Reno I went gambling. I was walking every where. I think the hardest part for me was sleeping in a bed that wasnt mine. Since I had the surgery so far from home we had to stay there until my one week check up so I wasnt at home sleeping in my own bed. Once I got home I slept with no problems.

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

I traveled about 4hours from home for my surgery. Being 4 hours over the mountains away the doctor asked that we stay until my one week check up for it there was any problems I would be where they could take care of me. I dont think the distance is causing any problems with my aftercare. It just gives me and my hubby little excuses to have get aways together when I meet with my doctor.

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.

Coming home from the surgery my doctor requires a liquid protien diet for the first 3 weeks so that you heal all up. I am allowed soup which hasnt bothered me, sugar free popcicles, certain yogurt which I love yogurt but it doesnt taste real good to me now. Here I am almost 2 months post and the only thing I have found that bothers me is scrambled eggs. Other than that I have no troubles at all.

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

I have been walking every since surgery. In the hospital I made lap after lap around there, upon coming home I have just kept up the walking and have started back at the gym walking on the tredmill. 2 months post I am back doing water arobics and loving it and doing the other weight machines.

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

I am currently taking centrum adult chewables. 2months post I am taking my multiple vit, Skin,hair and Nails Vit, B-12, and Calcium.

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 havent had any side effects yet.

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

I think the worst part about the entire prosses is the clean out the night before. Wow is that ordeal to go through.

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

I go to support group once a month. I also find that Obesityhelp.com is a major support for me. I go in and chat with other members as well as email members. I have found the library to be very helpful as well.

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

I have 5 tiny tiny scars. At two weeks they are almost where you cant see them now. I am so amazed. I expected them to be bad. But once I am completely healed they wont be seen at all. I am almost 2 months post now and you can hardly see the scars at all. I am really pleased.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

The only plateau experiences I have found is right around that time of month. But once that is over the pounds begin rolling off.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet I dont. But I am only 2 weeks out. My hubby on the other hand is like the food patrol making sure I am following my doctors orders to the end. Which I have to say is a nice thing to know that he loves me and cares about me that much. At almost 2 months out I have alot of people saying BOY your really loosing weight, and commenting on how my face has really thinned out.