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

saw the carnie wilson thing on the internet. i thought she was a sellout.

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 problem at all. do what your doctor says, be scrupulously honest, and pray.

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

not bad, actually. i was there for three days. bring socks and chapstick, and a book. or three. make sure the nurses are aware you had WLS, i recieved normal meals several times.

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

none at all

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

incredibly nervous. talked to friends, and did more research.

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

you will have no energy at all. force yourself to be as active as you can be, and don't be a hero with the pain meds.

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

5 minutes across town

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 can't have dairy, sweets, steak, and for some bizarre reason, canned spinach. that has pretty much stayed the same since i started eating solid foods again. i'm scared to try steak or spinach again, for fear of the pouch.

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

i was a lump the 1st 2 weeks. i couldn't do anything. going to the bathroom was a major undertaking. my the time i was home for three weeks, i could use my gazelle for 15 mins.

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

centrum silver chewables, b-12, iron, calcium, and citamin c.

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?

hair loss, frothing, vomiting, and excess skin. the hair loss lasted about 8 months, i just got a really short haircut. frothing and vomiting lasted about 3 months, you just suffer while it lasts and hope it ends soon. try to stay hydrated. i had to have surgery to remove the skin.

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

people looking at me like i did at carnie wilson when i heard about her surgery. like i'm a sellout and a cheater.

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

i didn't have one. my greatest support was my husband.

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

teeny tiny scars, nearly faded after almost 2 years. the pelliculectomy scar is absolutely gross. all the way around, thick and red. i didn't expect the second scar to be so bad, but it'll fade with time.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

i plateaued for nearly 3 months at about 170 lbs. but i lost 4 dress sizes.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

people who knew me before only notice that i'm thin. it's like they don't remember that they knew me. strangers just treat me like anyone else.