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

I think the first time paid attention to it, I noticed Al Roker shrinking, and I thought this is something for me. A surgical intervention that would change the way I would have to eat, that was a drastic measure, that there was no going back on could be the solution to my long suffering life of obesity. It was like a magic treatment that I could and would have success.

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

I researched what had to be done before finding a doctor and setting an appointment. By the time I attended a seminar, I had the medical records, the approval of my family doctor, the weight history, and was already seeing a psychiatrist. My insurance approval was very rapid, because I did my homework first. I went to a seminar the end of August and had my surgery the first week in November. For people starting this process, do your research, hand carry and deliver your documents, stay in touch with your progress, things can get misplaced and waste valuable time. Stay on top of it and don't take no's and maybe's for answers.

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

My first visit with Dr. Kim was wonderful. He treats you as if you are the only patient he has that day. You feel like a beautiful person in his presence. He is honest and sincere. I completely trusted him in the first minute. The way to get the most out of this meeting is to be honest, because he knows already, do your research and be dedicated. This is a tool, as he will tell you, it's not magic, but he makes you feel magic, especially when the weight starts falling off.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I thought I was going to die if I didn't, and my doctor was about to add an 11th pill to my day for diabetes. Now I take a vitamin a day.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted the RNY because of the rapid weight loss, but I was scared because of the malnutrition aspect. I signed up for it, but when he got in there, I was so obese, he couldn't do it because everything was packed so tight, so he did the gastric sleeve. When I woke up, I was ecstatic with his decision.

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 had come to the fear of dying without the surgery, so I figured if I did die, I was on my way there anyway. I would tell other people that the fear is worth the reward. I would do it again. Have some one to talk to, go to the seminars, do the research, talk to people that have been through it, and remember the 5% negative factor, don't listen to the negative, this is a positive step forward and you need positive people around you. I am happier than I have been in years and it feel great.

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?

I was so scared of my mother's reaction, I did not tell her until 1 week before the surgey. She desperately wanted me to lose weight and hounded me every single day, but I thought she would be against it. She was more supportive than anyone. She was elated that I was finally doing something other than another diet. My husband and children were begging me to have the surgery, even before I started the research. I didn't tell any other family or friends until after, because I didn't want the chance of any horror stories. Everyone, friends and family are very supportive and proud of me.

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

I'm disable because of a back injury at work, so this was not an issue with me.

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

My stay at the hospital could be compared with 3 nights at the Ritz(without the pain of course). They have all private rooms, the entire floor is didicated to bariatric patients and staff. They were so attentive, they brought me what I wanted before I knew I wanted it. Bring a robe so your behind won't hang out, socks for cold feet, and a positive attitude.

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

I did have an infection in one of the incisions and had to go back to the ER the day after I came home. Dr. Kim took care of it, cleaned it out, patched it up, and sent me back home. It was a blessing in disguise for me. The infection site was where my JP drain was and it was causing a lot of muscle spasms in the area, so it got pulled out several days ahead of schedule. I was grateful for that.

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'll admit I was scared, but I tried to cope with reading successfrul stories on the internet, looking at before and after photos and imagining myself skinny. My psychologist helped with meditation and imagery skills. I have a panic disorder and take Xanax, so of course that helped. Even though I was scared and couldn't sleep the night before, it was all worth it and I would do it all over again.

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

Expect to keep drinking liquids for a while longer, remember Taco Bell pintos and cheese are just around the corner and they will taste like the best thing you ever had. I took it slow and followed directions, walking is very important,even if it is circles around the living room. I had to sleep in my recliner for a couple of weeks, it was just much more comfortable than the bed. The weight loss starts immediately, so it's worth the pain. Use the incentive spirometer for you lungs, it hurts, but it helps. If you have dogs, keep a pillow across your tummy, mine like to jump right in the middle of me. Sip instead of gulp, gas is hell, and if too much goes in, it will come out. Don't overdo, no matter how good you think you feel, it will catch up to you.

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

The hospital is about 3 miles from my house, so not a problem.

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 eat my favorite mexican food that has any red sauce, not even in the smallest amount, it comes back up. I can eat some hamburger if ground real fine. I don't have any problem with chicken or fish, but steak is another story, only 1 or 2 small bites. It feels so heavy and like it stays there for hours. I started out with nearly a fourth of a cup at a time and now 11 months out, I can eat nearly 3/4 cup. I'm probably weird, but I can't drink just plain water, it make me belch, so I put crystal light in it and I'm fine. Weird, right? I still can't tolerate soup or cereal with milk in it, it is like eating and drinking at the same time, I guess. Everything seems to be about the same as it was in the beginning, I still can't eat mexican food with red sauce or steak or plain water. I don't miss drinking from a straw anymore. Eggs don't sit well, I have to scramble them with some low fat milk so they stay wet. I eat very little pasta, but at first I couldn't eat any. Overall, I eat pretty much what I want in small amounts and if it doesn't stay down, I stay away from it.

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

The first 5 days, 20 steps was a challenge because of muscle spasms where the JP drain was(that is not typical). After that, I would circle around the house 5 to 6 times a day for the first few weeks. Then I started walking 10-15 minutes twice a day. After a month I worked up to 30 minutes a day. I have a torn ACL and need a knee replacement on my left knee, so this made my progress slower.

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

I take a multivitamin once a day and and extra 400IU vitamin D once a day

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?

My hair loss was the worst for me. Thank God I had very thick hair. It started about 4 months out and lasted about 3 months. Every time I combed or raked through my hair, I would get about 50 hairs. This happened numerous times a day. It would come out by the handfulls when I shampooed. I upped my protein intake and vitamins and it resolved and now it is thickening again. The dumping is not an issue with the gastric sleeve.

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

The infection had to be the worst. Packing the open wound for several weeks was not pleasant and it hurt, but everything passes in time. It healed up and the scar is only slightly bigger than the others. It was still worth it

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

I regret to say I have missed most of the support group meetings due to illnesses in my family, surgeries that I had to go out of town to be with family, on a more positive note, a couple of vacations were the reason for my absence, but I have attened 3 of Dr. Kims seminars, one was with my husband, who had the lap band 5 months ago and had lost an amazing 75 lbs. and another seminar to talk to the new people planning to have the surgery. I'm going to the next if my family will stay out of the hospital.

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

The scars are bad. They still have that dark red look to a couple of them, but they will lighten up over time. I'm not to the point of a bikini, so it's OK

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had several plateaus, but only recently. They usually follow a slow down with my walking or swimming, so I correct that and picks up. The weight loss is not as rapid as it was in the first 6 months, but I expected that..and I'm still happy with the results.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, especially men.....When I used to go to Home Depot at my heaviest, they would help me, but not as quickly as they do now. It has been a long time since I've seen a guy do a double take or whistle at me, or ask if I'm married. If I got a double take before, it was because it took two looks to see all of me. Most of the time their eyes went to the floor and stayed there, now their eyes go up and down a few times.