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

I first heard about bariatric surgery from my surgeons television commerical. And I thought what do I have to lose. When I found out it was surgery and more about the procedure, I felt is was too drastic. I mean come on I had lost the weight before I could do it again. So I set the paperwork aside and starting dieting again. And kept gaining and gaining. Feeling like a complete failure and hating myself more and more, I filled out the paperwork and sent it in. I figured if I got approved it was meant to be. Well I got approved and I must say fate was good to me. It's the best thing I could have done. Don't get me wrong there are alot of changes and committments. I mean no sugar, no milk. Goodbye Ice Cream Forever. Ice Cream was my pal, and look where it got me. I guess sometimes you have to say goodbye to things that are not good for you. And I don't miss my pal at all.

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

I filled out all the paperwork and sent it to my surgeon. His office called my insurance company and they said that it wasn't excluded and that if they could proved medical necessity that I would be covered. I then went to get all kinds of tests ran and faxed to my surgeon's office. They sent this information, with my original application and a letter stating medical necessity and I was approved in less than a week. My insurance company is Principal Mutual, they have been great through this.

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

My surgery was on a Thursday and I checked out on Saturday. The hospital stay was good except by Saturday I was getting anxious to get out. I wanted to take a shower and the nurses needed to check with doctor first. But when the nurses came in and I asked about the shower they said I could go home if I wanted to and so I left. I took alot of things I really didn't need. The most important thing that I used was my slippers for walking the halls and my toothbrush and toothpaste. I think everything else could have stayed at home.

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

I was one of the lucky ones and had 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?

After having my surgery I found myself crying for absolutely no reason at all. I would be just talking on the telephone and start crying. The doctors office said it was probably the anestesia (sp). Plus the seperation anxiety from being away from my doctor. My doctor is in Tacoma Washington and I live in Anchorage, Alaska. Also I had a few battles with gas which is also quit normal after this surgery.

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

Since my surgery was in the middle of August the weather was still nice up here. I did alot of walking, and resting. I was on liquids for a whole month and believe me the last week was rough. I was also trying protein drinks and taking vitamins, plus get in all my water. So I had alot to do just getting in all my proteins, water and vitamins. I started back to work by week 4 part-time and by week 5 was back to work full-time. The roughest part was going to the State Fair with my family and not being able to eat anything. But everyone was really nice and let me smell all their food. It helped.

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

I live in Anchorage Alaska and at the time there was only one doctor performing the surgery in Anchorage and he only did Proximals and you had to be severely overweight before he would consider it. So I flew out to Tacoma Washington to have my surgery.

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

That is the wonderful thing about Dr. Fox. We have a support group up here in Anchorage. And officially in January 2000 I become the support group leader. I didn't really want to at first because at the time I was only a few months out of surgery myself. But I have done alot of research on GBP surgery and hope that I can help others with their research. I think the support group is very important, and more people should go. It is amazing how when you think you are the only one going through something, you mention it at a support group meeting and low and behold someone else has been there done that. It's alot like this website, could you imagine where you would be without it?

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

At first my scar was pretty intense. But since this is the first surgery I had ever had, I don't have any scars to compare it to. But now that I have had my TT, they removed the original GBP scar and now have replaced it with an even bigger scar but smaller, if that makes since. It is longer in size but also alot finer. I basically have a scar from my breast bone, around my belly button, to my pubic area and then from hip bone to hip bone. No crop tops or bikinis for me. But then again I am excited about wearing a whole pieces bathing suit with no apron in front to try to hide the fat.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Well I guess you could say I am on a plateau right now and have been for a month. I lost 5lbs after my TT, but should lose another 11lbs for the doctor. I am 1 1/2 years out of surgery so I know that the honeymoon phase it just about if not completely up for me. And if I don't lose another pound, I am really truly happy with were I am. I mean I started out at 270 and now weigh 151. I was wearing a very snug 24 and now wear a size 10. No complaints here.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Oh yes. People listen better. And the men, they actually notice you and not all the layers of fat. And now I can flirt back and I am having a good time with that. Go on a job interview after losing 75lbs and all of a sudden, people want to hire you, where before they didn't want to hire an out of control person. It is amazing to realize that I have actually been discriminated against. My skills haven't changed just my body size so why wasn't I given the job opportunities I am now? Was 120lbs making me less dedicated worker?