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

Newspaper-I knew as soon as I read it that I would do it or die emotionally and eventually physically

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

I was very fortunate having had my surgery in 1998-I paid $0 for the entire procedure and all aftercare. I'm sorry I have no good advice here.

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

First visit was an informational session with the Dr and a room full of people just like me. Keep a tablet of paper with you at all times to write down all the dizzying questions that pop into your mind throughout the course of every day leading up to the surgery and beyond.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

desparation and a committment to change life forever or lose it

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

RNY was the only one available at the time

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?

The fears are there-the stats are about the same as gall bladder removal, appendectomy, etc. That weighed against my need to find myself under the veil of fat was enough for me to take the risks.

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?

NO ONE SUPPORTED ME! Everyone said it's just too drastic. My response was "something drastic needs to be done". And then I went for it without any support. My then boyfriend and family were helpful to me after surgery, but no one really believed in it/me until after the first year. I was survidor of a lot of mental anguish growing up and knewe how to be on my own emotionally-I did what I knew was best for me regardless of others' influences and opinions.

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

Outta work for 2 weeks and employer treated it as a vacation- no major issues.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

never attended a seminar

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

I had abdominal muscles spasms for the first hour after waking up-that was the worst part of recovery. 2 day hospital stay. I was eager to get up and move around. I remember the bubbles in my stomach were so loud I had to turn up the TV!!!!

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

none whatsoever 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 felt excited, anxious and like I was about to start my real life-I ate as much as I could stuff in my mouth and gainedanother 21 lbs in 3 weeks.

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

The hardest part of the whole ordeal was emotional for me. I was obese my whole life and taught that I was a substandard undeserving person because I was fat. Food was a friend, drug, and the only thing I could ever count on. It was extremely difficult to deal with the fact that I had to take control of it instead of it being in control of me. Physically, there was some pain, but not a lot. It was kind of hard to lift myself from a laying position for 2 weeks but I learned to roll over on my left side and use my elbow and forearm to prop myself up. Honestly, I don't remember the physical stuff, but the emotional aspect is very vivid.

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

40 miles, not an issue

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.

bread, sugar and red meat were a no no for 6 months. 12 years later I stick to sugar free foods, whole grains, limit bread, NO CARBONATION and limit animal fats. The only thing I drink that has calories in it is milk-all other beverages are tea, water, sugar free kool-aid, etc. No fruit juices either. I can have 1 glug of a milkshake and that's it-any more and I will puke and dump.

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

very light walking for the first 6 months and gradually more and more activity

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

b12, calcium, D, multi, cinnamon, iron, fish/flaxseed oils

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?

hair loss was temporary and minimal, vomiting lasted for 7 years and was solely dependent upon my food comsumption, diarrhea has been an issue for a long tim, but I was just diagnosed with Crohn's, so that is why I am having that issue.

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

That I didn't do it sooner! Seriously, the emotional adjustment is a lifelong journey.

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

None. I made no effort to seek emotional help/support until 7 years post op after having my first child and experiencing post partum depression

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

7 inches long and skin colored-better than I expected

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I lost 150 in 3 years. 5 years post op I gained 30 during a bout of white zinfandel obsession and eating refined carbs and no exercise. I switched to dry red wine, walked 2 miles 4 times a week and switched all carbs from refined and processed to whole and sugar free. Dropped 25 lbs in 1 month and it has stayed off!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Heck yeah everyone on the planet treats me differently-I don't care and don't hold a grudge on those who treat me better now that I am thinner. It's only human nature and now that I have a life, I have no time to worry about what others think about me. What I think about me is all that matters.