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

I researched - researched - researched..... and wanted it from day one. It took me two years to talk my husband into it but I wanted it to the point that I remember saying "IF IT KILLS ME THEN AT LEAST I'LL DIE SMALL!" I just couldn't keep on "exsisting" the way I was.

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

I was so big that I couldn't find an insurance company that would even cover me. So, I was a self pay.

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

My surgeon was wonderful! I was so scared that HE would say no that I armed myself to the gills with information before I ever went. I spent as much time researching him as I did the surgery so that I would know HIS statistics and such. Ask any question you have at this meeting - they don't consider any question silly. But the best advice that I can give you is to GO IN INFORMED! Let them see that you know what you want and that you haven't decided it lightly. It will make a HUGE difference!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted it from the start.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I researched each and every proceedure from all angels... what was the cost?.... what were the dangers?......How about scars?....What would life be after the surgery?..... What does the experts say about the pro's and con's of each proceedure?.... Saggy skin?.... Special diets?.... Exercise?....What about if I got sick in the future and needed to be able to consume more food?.... Which one was the least likely for me to "abuse" (lets face it.. you don't get to me my size by doing what you "should" do all the time so I wanted one that would help "MAKE" me be good.)......

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?

My only fear was dying fat.... anything else I felt like I could handle if I could just get the dang weight off! Nothing was worse than the weight....

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?

Some said "GREAT!" Others said "You're nuts!" .... I said "I don't care what you think. It's my life and I can't live it like this any longer. YOU don't have to live like this - I DO - so your opinions are secondary to my feelings..."

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

I wasn't working at the time.

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

I stayed about 24 hours. It was fine. The only complaint that I had was that I wish the shower had hotter water. LOL. The most important thing to bring is yourself... you're not going on a vacation.. you're going to get your life back!

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

No complications.

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 felt sore for the first couple of weeks but I was so proud to have the surgery that I told everyone that I was so PROUD to be sore due to it! AND... I meant it! No anxiety....just watched the weight go down every day... it was wonderful!

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

You are very sore as to be expected. If it helps any.. the best way that I can describe it is this... I had my gallbladder removed about 10 years ago and it wasn't any worse than that.. about the same actually. No real big deal.

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

I had my surgery about 1 and 1/2 hours from my house.

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.

The only thing that I have trouble with is dense meats or breads. Other than that I can eat anything. If I eat wrong I will throw up. As time goes on ( I am now 7 months post op) I tolerate meat and bread even less so I love it! It keeps me from messing up.

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

In the beginning (for the first 2 months) I didn't do much of anything. Now I have so much more energy! I actually have my life back! I go and do whatever I want and find myself doing what others used to do for me. It's wonderful... I really can't say enough good things about WLS .... it has saved my life!

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

flintstones vitamins. One a day is what I'm supposed to be taking but to be honest..... I don't take them that often. I've never been one that cared much for 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?

There were no "worse" for me.... I was proud to experience each and every one of them because I was losing the weight! I throw up sometimes... no big deal.... I had hair loss at about 4 months out but not alot and it only lasted for about 2 months... no big deal.... the weight kept coming off....THAT'S A REALLY BIG DEAL!

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

nothing.

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

I go to my Dr.'s forum on line and I call in to his office once a month. I like it because they make a big deal out of it.

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

Small scar about 2 inches. Healed great . Looks great. I tell my family that it is my "no more diet pills" scar. I can say this... ANY scar will looks better than all that fat!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

2 weeks out of each month I lose pounds. The other 2 weeks out of the month I lose inches. Pretty regular.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

CONSTANTLY!!!!! They actually act like they "SEE" me now and that I don't have the plague!