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

I first found out about bariatric surgery through a frined of mine. She got the surgery when it was still new and she did not do so well. I decided that I can lose the weight on my own....I was so scared because shwas just so sick.

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 short and sweet. My financial counsler new how much I had to pay up front and how long an approval would take. It helped because I am an employee at the hospital where I am getting my surgery.

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

My first meeting with Dr. Khaitan was a life changing experience. I knew that she was a wonderful surgeon and all of her staff is so sweet and most importantly knowledgeable about the entire process.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The thing that made me decide to have surgery is when my twins would ask me Mommy can you play with us and I always say that I am tired and they would say Mommy you are always tired. I went to bed with tears in my eyes because my 6 year olds made me think. I have so much living to do and I am not ready to leave all of my 4 children at 33 years old. I also had a friend that had thoracic surgery, but she was morbidly obese. She thought that she was doing fine, but she had some complications from the surgery and died in her sleep....two days after Thanksgiving 2009. She left five kids behind and she was only 34 years old at the time. I told myself that I could not let this happen to me. That was the true wake up call.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I knew that the lapband was not for me. I researched the RNY surgery and I felt more comfortable with that surgery than the others.

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 fear that I will not be able to be there for my family. I weighed all of my options and I know that if I keep going the way that I am going I will not be here very long to be with my family. For me that took all my fears away and I know that this is the only option that I have left.

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 friends were like Connie are you really sure that you want to do this? My response was always that I would never choose to have WLS if I did not try everything else first. My husband and mother was against, but eventually they became my biggest supporters.

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

My supervisor said "good for you." I told her that I was planning on having bariatric surgery and she is so supportive. I am able to take up to 12 weeks off if I need it, but I am only taking 6 weeks off. I have not had my surgery yet, but I hope that I do not have any complications.

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

I was so happy that I attended my first weight loss seminar. The young lady that lead the seminar was actually the patient and the nurse of my surgeon. She lost over 200lbs and she is over 10 years out and she said that she still follow the basics.

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

My hospital stay was very tiresome. I was in the hospital for 5 days. The most important thing that I brought was a picture of myself...it was a reminder of the way that I use to look and what I need to change.

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

Yes I did have complications. I was thowing up blood and I had to go back into surgery and fix things and after that I was fine.

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 excited and could not wait.

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

I was in pain and could not keep any liquids down. I will say that everyone is different and people should not expect to go through what I went through.

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

My surgeon was 25 miles away. It does not affect my aftercare at all.

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 cannot eat eggs at all. I mainly eat chicke, fish, and turkey. On occasion I eat salmon burgers. I can eat any type of cooked vegetable and all fruits except strawberries and watermelon.

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

In the days following surgery I was always tired, but I made myself move around and do things. In the weeks following surgery I was going to Zumba class at least twice a week.

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

I currently take Flinestones complete, Calcium Citrate chews, and B12

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 side effects that I had after surgery and still to this day is nausea and vomiting. I make sure that I get in all my protein because I do not want any hair loss. I am in the trial and error stage...I have problems with eggs so I do not eat them. I only eat what I can tolerate right now...that is chicken, fish, turkey, cooked vegetables, some fruits. My diet is limited right now.

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

The worst part for me was being in the hospital for 5 days when I was only suppose to be there for 2.

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

I do not have a support group just yet, but I do have ample support from a couple of friends that have been through the surgery also and we meet evey week.

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

I have 3 tiny scars and yes it is what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have not had any plateaus yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes! People are always commenting on how nice I look and how beautiful I am. I honestly thought I have always been a beautiful person, but I think people just saw FAT and not the person.