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

A friend was having the RNY. I thought she was NUTS (she was about my size). I couldn't imagine only eating a tiny amount and I knew I would be so unhappy having that surgery. (This was probably 5 years before I had my surgery) Then ... I heard about the DS (another friend had it) and I was curious and started researching. This was 1 1/2 years before I had my surgery.

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

The first insurance I had, I was denied due to an iron clad exclusion. My husband changed jobs and insurance companies and I was approved quickly.

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

Dr. Maguire is very quiet. It takes a while to get to know him.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I developed Type II diabetes and my cholesterol was very high. I felt like I was a heart attack waiting to happen and I had 4 kids that depended on me.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

That was a no brainer for me really. I wanted to eat fairly normally. I didn't want to have dumping. I wanted the biggest bang for my buck and the DS gave me all of that.

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?

My fears were incredibly HIGH. I even wrote letters to my children and family members in case I died. I put my life into God's hands and gave over my fears to Him.

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?

All were very supportive. They have stayed very supportive.

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

I am self employed. I was off work for 8 weeks.

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

My stay was as good as can be expected! I was in so much pain, but the nurses were great. I was in the hospital for 5 days. I didn't use really anything that I brought with me.

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

Yes. A stitching needle was lost inside of me. It is still there as I have been told it was far less dangerous to leave it in than to try to find it. I also had a potassium issue. I was re-hospitalized at 2 weeks post-op with dangerously low potassium. I am now on potassium supplements.

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

Excited, sick, scared, happy, sad ... the whole gammut of emotions! I kept busy to cope.

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

I had a lot of regret. Wondering what I had done. Scared of every little ache or pain. Sickened from the tubes that were still in me. In a lot of pain. I cried a lot and basically wanted to be left alone.

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

I was lucky. Dr. Maguire (and his hospital) is only 5 min. from me.

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.

Early out, I only drank water, popsickles and tried to eat mashed potatoes and anything mushy. I didn't want to eat and ate VERY little those first 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, I started eating everything. The only thing that made me sick was KFC popcorn chicken. I think it was too greasy for me that soon after surgery (3 weeks). I eat anything and everything now.

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

Non-existent at first. After about the first 4 weeks or so, I felt the energy returning and now I have more than ever!

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

Multi vitamin, potassium, iron, ADEK, B-50, calcium, zinc

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?

No nausea, only vomited once at 3 weeks out, hard to sleep until healed, hair loss started at 4 months out and is still going on (I'm 5 months out currently). I wasn't worried about the hair loss because I had incredibly thick hair. I'm a bit worried now, but have been assured the hair loss will subside eventually.

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

Hmmmmmmm. The depression/regret right afterwards.

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

Dr. Maguire has a group, but I have never gone.

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

It is BIG and still very red. The top part is raised. Ugh.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had lots of plateaus because I still like my sugar and carbs!! But as long as the scale is going DOWN -- I'm OK with that.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet really.