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

I can remember stomach stampling when I was in the army cause a lot of the wives were having it done. that was in the early 80s. so i thought i'd like to do that but never did anything. Then Carnie Wilson talked about it.

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

First of all, if you know this is what you want and even if your thinking about it. Go ahead and get the insurance approval first. I did everything slow (intentially). I started in Jul 03 and finish Feb 04. After all paperwork was collected from various doctors to the WLS Surgeon, he gave me a date of surgery. which was 3 weeks later. one week later, I inquired about insurance approval. They never put in for it. So my surgery date changed 3 times cause waiting on approval.

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

I had known so much about it before I got there I just listened to everything they told me.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Every year I got into a bigger size. I'm at a 5X now. I've got to do something and know I lacked the self discipline to reduce my weight/exercise.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

i didn't know there was 7 procedures! doctor decided which would be best, told me pros and cons of all of them.

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?

Most were supportive. I'm single and I have many friends. I had friends go to grocery store, taking out my trash, take me to the doctor's office, go to pharmacy. Many stopped by. Lots of phone calls, cards, and flowers. One friend didn't want me to have it so I never told her I did it. I will later.

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

Talked to them like i talked to my girlfriends. He was supportive. Whenever something on TV, paper came up on it; they insured I knew about it. Out of work 3 weeks.

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

I had surgery at 8 am Tuesday and out by noon Wed. Didn't need to bring anything. I brought change of under garmets, nightgown, robe. toothbrush/paste, even CPAP machine. didn't use any of it.

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

No, nothing yet. I'm 5 weeks post op, no problems. At 4 months contacted Shingles. Just waited it out. At 5 months - hair loss; waiting it out At 6 months - Dealing with Depression (now)

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 cool. Friends were more excited than me. I just couldn't wait to take a long break from work. Now at 6 months; Although I feel fine I'm going through stressful time now; don't know why other than menapause and chemical imbalance I believe.

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

I've been home 1 week. I find it hard to drink 1 8oz glass of water. I love chicken broth and popsicles, sugar free. I'm living on that for the first 2 weeks. No room for nothing else. I'm at 4 weeks now. Looking back, I suggest: Must keep getting up and moving around so no blood clots can form in the legs. Thank goodness for pets that need taking care of. I still cannot drink 1 8 oz of water but I can when I watch TV in the evenings.

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

Hosp is about 20 minute drive. Did not affect aftercare at all. I live in Wash DC suburb, lots of hospitals.

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'm now at 5 weeks the end of the puree and onto soft foods. I'm doing both now. I drink a 19 oz of a smoothie protein (from Smoothie King) with extra whey. That takes me to lunch. I usually eat a microwavable meal such as Mac & Cheese for kids and bush's baked beans. Dinner is harder. I love string beans but find it hard to keep down.

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

while in hospital i got up 3xx and walked around nurses stations. more you walk, the better you feel. got home and because i have pets, they kept me getting up and down. thank god for that. after 1 week, i started doing more stair climbing, breathing excercise. need to get those lungs expanded.

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?

i had a dumping incident once wasn't sure if it was a side effect or contined from before surgery.

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

one with the surgeons office and another one is with Northern Virginia

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

i've got 5 1" slits in the middle of stomach. yes, it's fine. At 6 months, scars are really tiny.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I'm happier. people at work saying they see the difference in my size. Makes me feel great. At 4 months I contacted shingles on top of my head and my left eyelid. Now at 6 months and I have hair loss on left side and top. I also have depression caused by chemical imbalance. Still working this issue out.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

no difference. i was always happy go lucky and very knowledgeable in my area of expertise. P At 6 months; weight loss is extreme, people ask more questions; how i'm feeling, you look great, etc.