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

I had watch a program on the Health Channel about it and then Carnie Wilson had it done and I thought it was crazy. Then one of my co-workers had it done and it peeked my interest even more.

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

Getting approved by my insurance was easy. They gave me the approval on the first try and I was very surprised. When you are writing your letter about yourself be honest about your feelings when it comes down to your description, I think that is what helped me.

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

My stay was very pleasant all of the nurses were very nice and helped me to get through my discomfort. I stayed in the hospital for three days and the most important things that I brought with me was my CD player and a set of clothes that were comfortable to go home in.

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

I kept getting dehydrated, had pain in my stomach, nausea, my hair was falling out and was always tired. I couldn't get anything down fluid or food. I was in the hospital three time because of it. With time the the hydration thing was resolved but the stomach pain continues to be a problem that my Doctor doesn't seem to find an answer for.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

Up and Down because I'm still having a problem with my stomach. I have tried medications but none of them seemed to work except pamine but that caused me to become dehydrated again. My anxiety level about what is going on is very high because I'm tired for my stomach hurting everyday. My GERD has disappeared since this surgey but now I have to deal with this pain that never ends.

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

It was a very long week! I could not stand the smell of any food that was cooking in the house and doing something simple like turning overe in the bed was very hard in the first week. When my stomach is hurting I always feel better sleeping on my stomach the pressure somehow would make me feel better. But then I could only lay on my back and that became very, very uncomfortable after a while.

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

About 5 to 10 miles.

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 could barely eat or drink anything, because everything made me sick. And everytime that I had to go into the hospital I had to start over from the beginning. To this day I hate the smell and taste of chicken broth I like only like soup slightly better than that. I still don't really like much of anything.

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

I was able to do very little because of the dehydration problem that I had and I ate very little because everything made me sick to my stomach.

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

Vitaplex Plus, B-12, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Caltrate, B-1

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?

The nausea and my hair falling out really freaked me out. I still get nausea only not as server as before and my hair has slowed down it is now 17 months after surgery. I spoke to the people on the website.

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

Getting out of bed for the first few days after surgery because mine is alot lower than the one in the hospital. And my Doctor moving away and my care being turned over to my primary doctor sooner than I would have liked.

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

I didn't have any support group/program except obesityhelp.com to help me through the process after the first few months of my surgery. I was very bitter and hurt by that and began my downward spiral to deperssion and now weight gain and a lose of control of what I put into my mouth. It is very important that you have a support system there for you in this process because you lose your focus and start reverting to old habits.

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

My scars are very small in comparison to the pain that I was in after the surgery. No, I thought that they would be much bigger and I was pleased when I saw the area.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

My plateau began almost a year ago after an injury and I couldn't do any excercises. So, now I'm trying to get refocused and begin my journey once again, I've gain 56lbs. and I'm not happy with the way that I feel.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, It's like you are under a microscope all of a sudden and that made me very uncomfortable.