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

I heard about it when Carnie Wilson had it done. My first reaction was that I can do that just on Weight Watchers... Well I was wrong

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

My experience with insurance was not to bad, I had to have one year of medically documented visits to my primary Dr. He wrote up a bmi chart for me and wrote some letters for me and about 7 days after they received the papers I was approved. My advice would be just to find out what your insurance carrier requires and follow all the rules

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

My first meeting was pretty scary, I was admitting to myself that I had a serious problem that I couldn't handle myself. But once I met with my surgeon he made me feel very comfortable. Ask a lot of questions, write them all down and just ask away.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had a talk with my family and I said I can't go on like this anymore, my son was against it, because he was afraid I would die, he is 8 years old.. I explained to him that I have a very good surgeon and they will do all that is possible to make sure I am okay. Just knowing that I could die without the surgery made me make my decision.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Because I read alot of articles that stated that the lap-band was a good procedure but not as fast or as good results as the RNY... and I have a lot of weight to lose so I wanted the best choice.

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 am a single mother so my biggest fear ws dying and leaving my kids alone without a mother to raise them. I would tell everyone that it is normal to have those fears, but if you have confidence in your surgeons and faith in the Lord, then you will be alright.

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 family was great, they were very supportive before and after surgery, my mother has been the biggest help to me, she stayed with me for 3 weeks after the surgey to take care of me and my kids.

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 very supportive, I told my boss that I am having the surgery, I didn't tell to many people about it until I felt the time was right, when I did everyone was very supportive. I was out of work for 4 weeks.

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

My stay in the hospital was a blur in the first 2 days, because of that morphine pump, but once I asked for it to be disconnected I was fine, the nurses were great, the Dr's were great. I was there for 3 days... I wouldn't worry about bringing to much.. they supply you with the gowns and the robes and the slippers to walk around the halls, you will probably be more tired then anything else.

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

I had no complications form surgery, Thank God!!

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 so excited I couldn't wait for the day... then the day came and I was like if someone said lets go home I would have, I was really scared that day.

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

The first 2 weeks is rough, you will get some pain, which you can control with tylenol and a heating pad on the incisions. But that 3rd week is like a miracle, you start feeling really good. I remember all I did the first 2 weeks is complain that I did this to myself, but then all of a sudden bang your feeling just fine.

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

I don't think to far maybe about 30 mins. aways

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 really didn't feel like eating or drinking the first couple of days, I was getting the dry heaves. When my Dr said I could start on soft foods, I did okay with eggs and cottage cheese, and ricotta cheese, then I moved on to chicken and turkey and I was fine with that. I sometimes still today have some problems with beef and pork, I don't think I concentrate enough on the chewing part of it, because it gets stuck and it is very painful until it goes down. Soft moist foods are fine, and if I really chew good beef can be okay. I was very surprised that I was able to eat what I could.

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

I started walking around the house as soon as I got home... then around the block... then around 2 blocks.. and so on. When the Dr gave me the ok I started going to the gym.. so I do the gym 3 days a week and walk 2 miles on the other 3 days. I take 1 day off.

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

I take a multivitamin once a day.... calcium citrate 1200mgs a day.

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 just had very little nausea, and the dry heaves for a short time, and now sometimes with the food getting stuck.

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

I don't have any complaints!!

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

I go to a support group once a month in the hospital and when I get a chance I go to an eating adjustment class, they are held once a week. I think support is the key to success.

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

I have 5 little scars, the lower left one a little larger than the others... yes it is what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I haven't reached any plateua's yet... I hope not for a while

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes they seem to look me in the eyes now.