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

I heard about Carnie Wilson's surgery. I thought it sounded like a great idea, but I figured you had to be rich to afford it. I also didn't know if I could break my emotional ties with food to be able to do it successfully.

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

My insurance (BC/BS Federal) did not require preapproval. I knew I was very qualified for the surgery (BMI of 50, 150 lbs. overweight), so I wasn't that worried about them paying. I had talked to others with my insurance who didn't have any problems.

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

I was more informed than my surgeon by the first meeting. He was just starting out doing surgery, and I knew a lot of things he didn't, so I didn't have too many questions for him. I suggest you go into your first meeting with all of the basic knowledge you can, and have specific questions ready.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I knew it was the only answer. I had tried everything else. When I went to my first local support group meeting, my husband went with me. I got in the car afterwords and said "I am doing this. No matter what it takes, I am doing this."

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The RNY surgery seemed to have the best results and I had talked to people who had had this type. I wanted to have laproscopic because of the shorter recovery period and less scarring.

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 knew that if I kept on gaining weight my health would continue to deteriorate and I would eventually die early. I kept thinking that if I did this, I would be less likely to die. I didn't really think about complications. I thought "that happens to someone else." But I was wrong. I had a leak and stayed in the hosptial 10 days.

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 was nothing but supportive, even when I was going through my "why did I do this to myself?" phase. He has always been my supporter. My parents were supportive but a little leary that it was the right decision. They think it was a good decision *after* the fact, now that I have lost 65 lbs.

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

My employer was supportive. I had enough sick leave, so it really wasn't an issue. I also was able to come back to work gradually, a few hours a a time.

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

It wasn't pleasant! I was there for 10 days due to complications (I had a leak). I had to have a second surgery to place drains and a feeding tube in. I was in ICU for 5 of the 10 days. I had one wonderful ICU nurse, but the rest were not very attentive. It took them 3 days to get me on all of my daily medications. I didn't really need much in the way of supplies because I was out of it so much. I do wish I had brought more underwear though, because they had me off my birth control for 3 days so I started my period. My husband had to go buy me some underwear and make 2 trips to the laudromat. OH, bring soft toilet paper! The sandpaper stuff at the hospital HURTS, especially when you have to go so much.

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

Yes, I had a leak. I had to have a second surgery the next day and have drains and a feeding tube put in. I was there for 10 days until it healed, and in a lot of pain. I had to come home with the drains and feeding tube and my husband had to tube feed me for a couple of days. I also had a bunch of fluid on my lungs when I got home and almost had to have it drained off. I cried for several days after I got home and wondered why I did this to myself. But I am doing much better now and don't regret my decision.

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 continued taking the anxiety medication I was on pre-op. I was very scared to eat. Once I ate some solid foods and was OK with them, I wasn't so intimidated and began to try new things.

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

You will be sore and VERY tired. You will probably need to start very slowly getting back into your routine. You will want to take lots of naps during the day.

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

I traveled two hours. This really doesn't affect my aftercare because the I had two surgeons, one local and one two hours away who was training the local doctor. The local doctor does my aftercare.

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 have not had many problems with food. I can tolerate just about anything, even sugar in small amounts. The only foods that have made me sick have been cashews and plums. But I can eat both now.

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

My activity level was low at first. I was very lethargic for several weeks. Now I have more energy than ever before.

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

Daily I take sublingual B-12 tables, chewable calcuim citrate tablets, and two childrens vitamins. I also take ferrous fumerate (iron) a couple of times a week because I was anemic post op.

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 haven't had many side effects post op. I don't dump, haven't lost hair YET, and only vomit if I eat too fast.

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

The post op leak, second surgery, and exended hospital stay!

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

I have a local support group that meets twice a month. They are my main source of support and information, and I don't think I would have done nearly as well without them. I recommend a local support group to EVERYONE. If you don't have one, start one! That's how ours got started.

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

I have about 10 small scars from two laproscopic surgeries. They are fading and I think eventually will be hard to see.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am having my first plateau currently. I have lost 65 lbs. and have been at this weight for a couple of weeks. It is frustrating, but I know it will pass and that everyone has them, so I am just trying to wait it out.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. People at work kept telling me how much better I look. I have also had problems at work because I have become more assertive since surgery. It caused me to lose my job.