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

I was watching TV one day and seen that Carnie Wilson had Bariatric Surgery and she looked beautiful, so I got on the net and started doing some research and liked what I had found. I had questions, and found Liv-Lite and proceeded to ask questions.

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

I contacted Patty Maycroft with the Liv-Lite program, gave her all my info. She sent me a packet of paperwork to fill out. I sent it back and she sent a letter and I had approval in one week. Patty helded everything for me and did a wonderful job.

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

I wrote out some questions for Dr. Bollman. When I met him, he introduced himself and proceeded into explaining the surgery to me. He did let me know it is only a tool. If not used right, I will not get the best benefits out of it. I think a person needs to go into it with all the information the can and ask whatever questions they feel they need to. There is no stupid question except the one you do not ask. Have an open mind and listen, listen, listen.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I knew that I had tried everything there was out there and didn't get any where except more overweight. My ability to live life healthy was out of the question. My medical problems were continuing to get worse, so there was no other choice for me. I knew deep down in my heart that this was the best thing for me. I talked to hubby and prayed about this and after a year of research, I knew this was right.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My doctor only does one procedure. I knew that open was best for me because it would allow me to accomplish what I needed. I was afraid of Lap because I don't feel the surgeons could see my body well enough to perform such a procedure.

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 didn't have any fears because I did my homework, prayed about it and left it in God's hands. I'm a firm believer everything happens for a reason. I feel if God would have taken me, then it would have been my time to go. Evidentally that didn't happen cause I'm still here. When it's my time to go, God's going to take me irregarless of where I'm at or what I'm doing. I also knew that the problems I was experiencing by being MO were only going to get worse unless I did something now. By doing my homework, I was prepared and very much at ease about my decision.

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 husband and other family members supported me all the way. I didn't have a problem with anyone at work either. But I'm a person that if you don't like the decisions I make then I don't need them to be a part of my life. Since surgery, everyone is amazed. They still support me to this day and the hubby, needless to say, is liking every minute of me becoming thinner.

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

They supported me all the way. I told them I was having gastric bypass. I was off about 3 weeks, but could of went back after 2 weeks.

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

I had a wonderful group of nurses taking care of me. The hospital staff was wonderful. I was in there for 3 1/4 days. I was suppose to be in for 5 days, but doctor seen I was doing well with walking, etc that he let me go home early. I only used my slippers, shampoo, toothbrush/paste, mouthwash, chapstick and hairbrush. I would suggest taking like a dress or something similar to wear home cause it's easy to get on over the binder.

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

No complications what-so-ever. Just wanted to be off that darned morphine pump. I hated that thing.

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 relieved that all I needed to do was get my pre-ops done and wait for my day. Once the pre-ops were done, my surgery date was here and gone.

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

It was rather easy for me. Even though I had kids and hubby to help me, I got up and did for myself. The exercise is the key to recovery. I looked at it, if I get up and get my own jello, then that's one less blood clot I had to worry about. Even with pain, get up and do for yourself and soon you'll be off to losing those pounds.

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

My surgeon was 1 hr and 45 minutes from my home. I go to all follow-up appts and just make it a priority.

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.

When I arrived home, I was on the liquid diet which consisted of jello, broth, popsicles, crystallite and water. From there I went to cream soups, scrambled eggs, grits & oatmeal. Then from there I began, w/ ok from doctor, adding fish, chicken, and all other regular foods to my diet. I have done well over time and just use trial and error.

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

The day after I arrived home, I went to Super Walmart w/ hubby, held on to the cart and walked around. Each day after that I would walk blocks from the house and back. After about 4 or 5 days, I went to the mall and walked. If I got tired, I would sit on a bench that they have and rest for a few then got up and continued on. After about 3 weeks to a month I was up to walking a mile around the gym's track. By 3 or 4 months I was up to 2 miles and now I'm 8 months and doing 3 continuous miles before stopping. I plan to increase that to 4 in the next few months. I always give my body time to catch up. In w/ that I try to do crunches and I have some 3# and 10# weights at home that I try to use.

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

When I first arrived home, per my doctor, I was just taking a chewable vitamin. After my 6 week check-up he told me I could start taking regular multi-vitamins. I also add B-12 supplements and calcium supplements to my intake. I take them every day and always will.

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 have yet to experience any of those. I did experience low blood pressure which was never a problem before. I took Florinef for about a month for that and now I am free from that. It was the changes in my body that brought it on because there is no found reason for it and now I don't have it. This lasted for approximately 2 months.

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

The waiting from time insurance approved to the day I had my surgery. But it's a way for a person to learn patience. I have "yet" to have a bad experience w/ this whole process.

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

I have participated in a local support group prior to my surgery and now am running the local support group. I feel being "a part of" a support group is a very vital part of this journey. It is there to teach, help or just support you through whatever this journey throws at you. With the help of others you will succeed.

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

It has healed wonderfully. Yes, it is what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

There has been times throughout my journey that I have experienced a few weeks to a month w/out losing and then I will lose. I watch what I eat, if I've been snacking, I stop that and pick up my exercise and then the weight leaves. I still lose inches even when I'm not losing weight.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I get compliments on how much I've lost, but other than that not really any different.