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

Carnie Wilson. I thank her for going public. She has no idea how many lives she has changed in this world. I had known about it before then but never did any research or followed anyone's progress until she went public with her surgery and journey.

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

My insurance approval was very easy thank goodness. My BMI was under 40 but I had several comorbidities which qualified me. If I can tell anyone any piece of advice it is to go see your physician regularly and report any and all symptoms and feelings you have. Who would have known that refractory heartburn and reflux would play in my favor for a life changing operation. Get medical documentation.

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

It was very good. He was relaxed and very focused on me and my history and goals. He answered any questions I had and told me what to expect. He also shared how important it was to be committed because the surgery itself is not a "quick fix" for a lifelong problem, but you have to be willing and able to change your life. I took it all to heart and followed every instruction he has given me to date! It works!! To make the most of the first meeting with your surgeon I would write down any questions or concerns you have and take them with you. That way if you get nervous and forget you'll have the paper handy to show the doctor or read from. It's important to get all the facts and to have your questions answered.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My weight kept climbing and my health kept failing. At only 42 I was not able to walk up a flight of stairs at work without feeling like I needed an oxygen tank at the top waiting for me. I knew I was getting into serious trouble when I could gradually eat more and more and not feel stuffed. I knew I had to do something or suffer grave circumstances in the future if I didn't.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted to go with the RNY because it was not reversible and it offered the best restriction, quickest weight loss and was the "golden standard" of weight loss surgeries.

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 normal fears and concerns I would say. I actually thought the surgery (pain and recovery) would be a lot easier on me than it truly was. I have had several surgeries, some major ones, and I thought I would just breeze right though this. Oh boy was I wrong. I did well, but it was very painful and I really didn't feel "good" until I got my G tube out 29 days postop. I would tell folks who are fearful to not let that be their final decision maker. Pray and have good family support and keep reading the success stories on Obesity Help for encouragement. Your mind is a powerful thing, keep it focused on the positive. Also, speak to as many postop folks as you can that have done well and keep those stories in the forefront of your mind.

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 partner were very afraid for me to have the surgery. They knew that once I set my mind to something I didn't let up until I achieved it so they knew I would go forward. I had to educate them and share the Obesity Help site with them. After my primary care physician gave her blessing (she is a very thorough and conservative doctor) they were all for it...they figured if she approved they should have no problem with it. Besides, she should know better than anyone what I was headed for if I didn't get a handle on my weight.

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

That I was afraid of because I had just accepted a new position in my department that would basically take a lot of work off my supervisor which he was very ready for and excited about me doing. I told him what I was planning on doing and he said it was not a "deal breaker" but it would be hard to have my help then be without me for a month but he knew he would manage and wished me all the best and thought it was a good idea from a health perspective. Basically, he was very supportive. I basically told him that I was pursuing bariatric surgery and hoped to have it mid summer in July and that I wanted to do this so I didn't have to be afraid of developing diabetes, high blood pressure, or worse, a heart attack before I turned 50! He said he completely understood and offered his support. I would out of work 4 and 1/2 weeks.

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

My hospital stay was great. I had wonderful nurses and was kept in ICU for my entired hospital stay which is something my surgeon prefers to do with his bariatric patients. I was there from Thursday until Monday. The most important thing to bring is a robe and good bedroom shoes...you need to walk, walk, walk!!

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

I had no complications from the surgery, but I did contract some type of stomach virus 2 days postop. What bad timing. It passed before I left the hospital but I chose to stay an extra day just because I felt so rough. The main thing postop is pain, but honestly the more you walk the better you feel. The IV pole will become your new best friend and you will take many strolls together before you are discharged.

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...almost as excited as when I traveled to Mexico on vacation. I was so looking forward to this positive, life changing event. I didn't really have any anxiety, just excitement about a new life coming my way very soon.

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

I was very sore and my surgeon sends his patients home with a G tube and Blake drain in. I was instructed on how to handle both at home and did just as I was told. I used the G tube to get fluids in when I couldn't drink as much as I needed on certain days. I walked every hour which is key to recovery and to keep you from developing blood clots. It really is a learning experience. You need that time at home to learn how to eat again. You keep track of what you eat and drink to make sure you get your requirements in each day. It's a very important time...it sort of sets the stage for your future. But keep walking, walking, walking!!

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

Thankfully I only live 3 miles from the 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.

I loved Crystal Light and postop it tasted very bitter to me. The only thing I could tolerate drinking was skim milk which I developed a strong fondness too and ice water. I can now drink Crystal Light but it was about six weeks postop before I could. I had a hard time finding a protein shake that tasted good to me but finally settled with Slim Fast Low Carb Chocolate and still drink it today. The only food I still have to be careful with is broccoli. If I eat it too fast or eat too much I throw it up. That's the only thing I've thrown up and it's only happened three times since July.

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

I was extremely tired after surgery. Your body goes through a lot with the surgery then your reduced intake afterwards. It's very important to do whatever you have to do to get your vitamins in daily and your fluid and protein requirements. It took me about eight weeks to fully get back to my old self. Then, it's like I kicked into overdrive...I have more energy now than ever!

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

I immediately started on Building Blocks bariatric vitamins when I got my Blake drain out...2 weeks postop. I take calcium, a multivitamin and iron. This is what my surgeon recommends. I also added the Building Blocks CoQ10 to that for extra support.

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?

Nausea and dumping. I was very nauseated which is to be expected after any abdominal surgery, but really I felt bad until my G tube came out. It was painful and made me feel nauseous a good part of the time, but I knew it was necessary and only temporary so I stuck it out. My hair has thinned some but has stopped now. Dumping occurred when I drank too fast my first week home, and then about 2 months postop when I got sugar free, fat free frozen yogurt. My nutritionist said it probably had too many sugar alcohols in it and I haven't gone there since. It was an awful feeling I do not want to experience again!

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

The G tube for me. It was painful, irritating, bothered me when I tried to sleep, and was just plain aggravating. It hurt like heck when they pulled the thing out too, but literally only for 90 seconds. Once that came out I felt like I could really begin to heal.

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

We have a local support group meeting the first Thursday of every month. We also have an online Yahoo group under our surgeon's name and we converse regularly on there...newbies and the oldies. It's great support and lots of fun to keep tabs on everyone.

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

My scars are typical, red and a little raised but over time they are fading. I knew what to expect from a friend who had had the surgery. I wasn't taken aback by them.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Thankfully I have not experienced any plateaus and hope I do not.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. People are very curious about how I eat now and they ask lots of questions which I'm more than happy to answer. But, for the most part, people are just very complimentary and supportive. There are one or two whom I feel are jealous but I let that go because they're always out there. I feel it's really their issue, not anything to do with me.