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

Carnie Wilson. After seeing on tv that she was getting it done, and that it would be online, I was hooked! I thought it was dangerous.

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

My experience with getting approval took about a month. Thankfully, the one person I always talked to at my insurance company was waiting for the same operation! She actually pushed my paperwork up, and helped to make things speed up! She was great!

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

The wait was long, and the visit took about 5 minutes. He was very nice, but you could also tell he was in a hurry. The waiting room was full of people! My advice, take along a list of questions to ask.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was tired of being fat, depressed and tired of crying when summertime came around!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I have three kids and a husband who wroked, I picked laproscopic gatsrc bypass. I had heard it was safer and recovery was quicker than being cut open.

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 was scared that I wouldn't wake up from the surgery table! I cried the day before, the night before, while they were putting the IV in my hand and as they were wheeling me to the OR room. I'd tell people that it's perfectly normal to be scared! But, it's so worht it. I'm glad I went through with it!

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?

Everyone was happy for me, but also thought it was such a drastic step. I think I communicated everything just fine. Everyone was very suuportive after surgey.

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

I was not working at the time.

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

My hospital stay wasn't too bad. I had one nurse who was very rude, and one nurse who asked that I disconnect my own IV and tubes, because her hands were greasy! I was there for two days. Bring slippers, a big comfy robe, toothbrush and toothpaste and please don't forget the long handled wooden spoon and baby wipes!!!

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

None whatsoever!

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

Hungry! I wondered if I had done the right thing. I just kept thinking about the outcome, and how on Christmas Day, I'd get my first real solid meal.

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

They were hard! I couldn't lie down in bed for about three months! I slept in a recliner or a love seat. It hurt to laugh, cough and sneeze. The coughing it most important! You need to cough up the medicine they give you to put you to sleep. There is some pain, but it's not untolerable. Just take the liquid Lortab they give you when you need it. If anyone has had a c-section, that is what it feels like. Expect alot of the same things.

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

Less than an hour(Mesa to Phoenix).

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 started out with broth and sugar free jello. Then moved on to mashed potatoes and lite yogurt. I tried a small tight lipped sip of pear nectar and dumped! I felt hot and sweaty, dizzy, thought I was going to pass out and it lasted for 45 minutes! I then tried saltine crackers, string cheese and soup. I ate very, very slow. My first real meal was on Christmas Day, it consisted of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing,ham,a piece of roll, veggies, cranberries and a bite of pumpkin pie. My plate had tiny little piles of food, that I could not finish. The next morning I decided to try sausage and scrammbled eggs for breakfast. Bad idea! The eggs were cooked in the sausage fat, and after exactly two bites, I dumped again! I can now eat just about anything, as long as it isn't greasy! Sugary things that used to make me dump, I can tolerate now. That doesn't mean I eat them all the time! If I have a craving for ice cream, I take one bite and I'm through! I don't drink sodas anymore.

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

What activity? Actually, my husband I walked our block in the evenings. I used a walking stick to help me. I got winded real easy.

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

Kids chewable vitamins and I now take Usana vitamins.

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. I have(had)thick hair, and it's thinned out alot! I still have problems with hair loss. That's my fault for not getting enough protein in.

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

The saggy,loose and flapping skin that you have after losing the weight. That's been the worst for me.

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

I attended one support group meeting afterwards. In my opinion, it wasn't helpful to me. I felt that it was a waste of time. That doesn't mean that someone else can't something from them. Try them before you decide.

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

I have six small scars that look like cat scratches! Better than what I expected!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

For awhile I couldn't get past 173, and now I stay between 129 and 132. I was told that i should weigh 117 pounds! I tole myself 120 was good enough. I was told that 5-10 pounds of my last 12-15 pounds could very well be my hanging skin.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, but only one way. Men look at me more. People in general treat me the same, it's just the reaction and looks I get from men that have changed.