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

A friend of my mom's had it done in 1983 I believe, and she didn't do too well with it, but then I saw a commercial on TV about it and I wanted to have it done ASAP!! That was about 10 years later when I saw the commercial and my sister in law's sister had it done and I didn't even know who she was after the surgery she looked great!!

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 troubles getting approval.

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

I already had 4 C-Sections and my thyroid worked on so to me this was not a big deal. So I just listened to what he had to say and said lets do it!!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When I was on the internet I just wanted to see what my BMI was and found out that I was considered Morbidly Obese. My dad had 4 heart attacks by the time he was 59 and I didn't want to put my family through what he put us through.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I had the Roug -n- Y proceedure that is the one that the surgen explained to me and I knew of others that it was very successful.

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 no fears like I said I had 4 C-Sections and Thyroid Surgery, so this was just another surgery that had to be done.

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?

They have been wonderful ( my Family) some of my friends were a little weary about having the surgery, but now that they see that I am committed to doing the right thing they are all very supportive of my decision.

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

My boss was great about what I wanted to do, he is a health nut!! I told him that I was having WLS and he was great about it and I was off work for 4 weeks but I let them call me if there were any questions that needed to be answered at work.

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

It was fine, I was there for 2 days, the lady next to me had Lap surgery and I had open. The most important things to bring are books and shampoo and conditioner the nurses found me some of both. They were great.

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

I had 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 was very excited!! I just kept thinking about how I was going to feel and look in just a few months.

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

I had a wonderful friend come and stay with me, she was there about every other day, and my oldest child would help out when she would get home from school. And no I couldn't drink everything they wanted me to and have all of the protein they wanted me to also. I would walk every day and that was great to be able to get out and see some people while I was walking.

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

Only about 35 miles, I had my children at this hospital.

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.

For the first 4 weeks after surgery all I could have was Protein drink and water or broth, and skim milk 8 oz a day of that. Then at my 4 week check up I could start solid food of deli sliced turkey, ham or chicken chewed at least 25 times 1 oz 6 times a day and of course 64oz of water also. 8 week check up I could have the same things only 3 times a day plus a snack, only you would have 2 oz of protein (meat) per meal. Was also having mashed potatoes (if room) 1 slice of bread, eggs, cheese, protein stuff. Found out that hamburger was a no, no!! Had the dumping after having lasagna, so that must of been too much fat in the hamburger. So low fat and low sugar is a must!! At my 3 month check up they told me I could now have salad and other things most anything that I wanted but first protein than if there is room you can have the potatoes, salad, veggies ect. Am waiting for my 6 month check up to see what else is in store for me.

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

I would walk everyday after surgery I knew that it was so I didn't get blood clots but also it helped alot in my losing weight faster. When they told me that I could start doing sit-ups and stuff I was on it!! I wanted to get going on this and it helped alot.

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

I am on prenatel vitamins, iron and calcum pills.

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?

Dumping was the worst for me. I still will dump at 6 months if I eat to much or have to much fat in something I ate.

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

The worst part was when they had me in the x-ray room and had to drink this stuff that when they took the picture and tip you up and down to see if there were any leaks, I didn't think I could drink all of that teriable stuff.

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

I have some people at work that had it done so I have been talking to them. We had 1 session at MMPC to see how we were doing and things. I feel that it is very important to have someone to talk to, so you know what to expect and if this is the same or not for everyone.

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

It is 12 inches long from between my breast to my belly button. No not that long!!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I usually plateau every 2 weeks than something kicks in and I lose 7 to 9 lbs in a week than nothing the next 2 weeks but as long as I am not gaining I know that I am doing OK!!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, I have more guys looking at me, or giving me a 2nd look. That is always nice! I get carded at stores (I am 37 years old). Some of my friends seem to be do I dare say "jealous" of my accomplishment. But I just tell everyone that I am feeling great.