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

I had a family member who has the surgery and my initial impression of it weren't positive, she would vomit almost daily and I am almost phobic about vomiting so I thought I would rather be fat that vomit daily.

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

I've said it before but I'll say it again the squeaky wheel get's the grease. I called the doctor's office and insurance co. (humana) weekly and I didn't have much of a fight from them. But they DO make sure that this is something that you a willing to go to the mat for.

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

My surgeon is retired now. But Dr. Zahn is the BEST! He was warm and confident about what he could help me accomplish, and he made me feel it was a team effort. How can you get more out of this initial meeting? KEEP A PEN AND PAD WITH YOU AT ALL TIMES, because you can think of a good question to ask the doctor and not remember it by the time you get to the appointment. Trust me this happened to me and I felt like I was forgetting something the entire visit.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Between the emotional distress I felt about not being able to do things with my daughter and the physical pain I was constantly in did it for me.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My insurance company at the time of my surgery would only cover open roux en y.

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?

The only fear I had was that I would end up like my family member, vomiting everyday! My only fear about dying was that I wouldn't be the one to finish raising my daughter. I would tell other's fear is normal, but if that fear is overwhelming compared with the situation you find yourself in now, maybe you need to continue to evaluate if you are ready for this surgery or step in your life, because this step is a doozy! Even if it is successful.

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?

That family member who had the surgery and I looked to as a inspiration and support for me didn't do that at all. She discouraged me at every opportunity. She told me not only would I vomit daily I would end up in diapers because I would have uncontrolled bowels!! She even told me she wouldn't take custody of my daughter if I died because I brought my death on myself. Now my best friend Irene, who has major depression and issues in her own life completely supported me in every way. Mud is sometimes thicker than blood. Update that family member above recently told me seven years later that she is glad I did the surgery and proud of me and a little jealous because I haven't had any complications.

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

I told my supervisor of my sugery plans and she was sooo supportive, I was told of my leave of absense benefits and I didn't have to worry about my job at all! I left work probably about 3 days before surgery because it was a two day surgical prep period and I went back about 10 weeks later.

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

This is an ABSOLUTE MUST!!!!! I went to at least two others before even approaching my insurance company and PCP. One doctor I felt was still wet behind the ears and the other one I just didn't like his vibe. He felt like a DICTATOR instead of a Doctor.

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

After the first few hours after surgery, it was like any other hospital stay. St. Luke's Phoenix was great, I did have one problem the nurse who took care of me post op made me wait 2 hours after my pain medication was due, and told me I wasn't her only patient, to which I immediately perked up and told her I did not want to see her for the rest of my hospital stay. The following day I spoke with the floor Nurse Manager and told her what happened and she said that was unacceptable. LADIES BRING FEMININE PRODUCTS. Everyone should bring relaxing cd's and a good book.

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

Strangely enough I haven't had a single complication. I guess a complication could be I can't vomit at all anymore, (they think my vagal nerve was damaged somehow), now isn't that ironic!! :), and an extremely low cholesterol level. My doctor had me eat more meat and eggs to get my cholesterol level up to 110. As for not vomitting at all, I tell my family member as much as possible. :)UPDATE: I found if I get sick like with the flu I WILL VOMIT. I still have problems keeping my cholesterol up but seven years later I have stayed between 158-165lbs.

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 think I misunderstood the question but I was ready to do this. Within, 6 days after my surgery I was only taking pain meds before bed and I felt GREAT!! I didn't have much anxiety but boy my daughter did. She, at the age of 14, slept in the bed with me for at least six weeks. I finally told her I didn't think I was going to die know so she could sleep in her own room, but she recently told me for at least six months after, she would come in my room to make sure I was breathing after I was sleep. Just remember this isn't just your surgery but your WHOLE FAMILIES. UPDATE: My daughter is now 21years old and moved out and she recently told me that she didn't have a sound night's sleep from 6years old till six months after my surgery because she would hear me stop breathing for up to 3 minutes and she would come in and poke me to make sure I started again. Something to think about and I feel ashamed that I even put her through that.

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

The first thing I noticed no more sleep apnea! I slept like a log for the first time in years. I noticed more energy, I wanted to go back to work within 2 weeks of my surgery, but my doctor wouldn't let me. I was at the Fiesta bowl parade with my daughter that year, and took my first post op picture, I was amazed! My depression also started to lift, I was off medications before I went back to work. Don't expect to much though, I still get hungry and was hungry within 24hours of surgery.

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

I traveled only a few miles from home. I didn't participate in the aftercare program at St. Lukes though because I worked at another area hospital and there was and is a large group of employees who also had the surgery and we also had access to dietitians and support right there where we work.

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 couldn't eat sugar at all, even a teaspoon would make me sick. I still limit my sugar intake to this day because I can't handle it at all. I can't eat any kind of fish then or now, except very thinned out tuna fish, I would get a knot in my chest and extreme pain even though I couldn't vomit. Which is pure misery. UPDATE: Seven years later I still can't eat sugar but I do have a chocolate bar once a month(and suffer) but a little misery is okay when it comes to chocolate :D. I also can't drink. Alcohol hits me like a Mac Truck, so first I take a few sips of a drink, then I get the warm fuzzies then the alcohol turns to sugar and I start to feel sick. Now THATS not okay and not worth suffering through.

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

Before my surgery I was on disability and only able to work part time. After, within the first week walk around the house with my walker and within 4 weeks I was able to wheel my wheelchair ( I have birth defects), about two blocks to the pharmacy. The Fiesta Bowl parade was about six weeks after my surgery, had to push myself at least 6 blocks to the parade site, and by March, I was on a week long trip with my daughters school, I was walking with the use of a cane and the braces I've used since childhood. Which is where I was before I gained weight. UPDATE: Seven years later I am still very active though hitting my forties I am noticing changes in energy levels but I don't know if this is just because I am getting older or from anything surgery related.

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

I take 3 calcium tablets per day, 3 high potency multi-vitamins, and 2 B-12 sublingual per day. I try never to slack or miss a dose, I stopped taking my B-12 and had major side effects like extreme fatigue and numbness in my hands and feet.

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?

The only noticable side effect was my hair thinned, but not noticably. I have found if I alter my diet in any way, my hair still will start falling out. As for the low cholesterol, if it gets to low my doctor will tell me to eat more meat and eggs. Everyone else in the world is trying to get their cholesterol down and here I am trying to keep mine above 110!

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

I have no complaints what so ever with the surgery. I just wish that family member who was mentioned previously was more supportive, because though we have both moved on and are still close, just writing about this made me angry all over again. Though I'll get over it. UPDATE: See question number two above.

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

I work at another area hospital and have the support of the dieticians here and other employees who have had the surgery. Because of varying working hours it was very difficult to get to St. Lukes aftercare program. I work nights starting before there meeting even start.

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

I have had 38 previous operations for my birth defects, so the keloid scar from the tip of my breast bone to my belly button was not shocking or unexpected. As a matter of fact I have shown it off more proudly than any other one of my scar's because I feel this is the one that saved my life. Though I have thought of getting a tattoo of a butterfly to enhance it because I also felt like as the weight came off the more I came out of a coccoon. I am finally that beautiful butterfly ready to take off!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have gained 15lbs back since getting to my lowest weight of 145lbs. I have never gone above 165 but no lower than 158lbs for about 3 years. My doctor says its better to keep my cholesterol up, but I've decided to add more exercise in to the mix. I usually swim 3 times per week and do water aerobics 3 times per week as well. I've gotten an exercise ball and free weights recently and have dropped 5lbs so far. UPDATE: I still work out but I still hover between 158-165lbs but when you've been a size 28-30 in clothes a size 14 is perfect.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I don't see disdain in peoples eyes when they see me anymore. I think people still see my disabilities but are encouraged by the fact that I work full time and have raised a beautiful daughter. I also get more attention from men. At first I didn't know how I felt about this, but now I enjoy it! UPDATE: Seven years later, one word DATING!!! I will definitely update if anything comes of it, but for now I am enjoying the attention of a special someone.