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

I heard about it on TV, Carney Wilson and others,then spent about a year researching it. At first I was very against it, even tried to talk a friend of mine out of having it. Now it is the best thing I have done for myself.

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

I was turned down by Partners and had to use Tricare to get it done. They initally turned me down also, but I wrote a letter detailing my problems and all the diets I had been on, my family history and they came around. I did get a secondary insurance to Tricare because they won't pay much on it.

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

I was very impressed with Dr. Crossin. He was very open, friendly and took his time in answering my questions and calming my fears. Think ahead, ask lots of questions, don't be afraid.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My health and my love for my husband along with the desire to change.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I had the RMY because sugar was my "drug of Choice" and it would limit the amount of sugar I could consume. If that hadn't happened I don't think I would have been successful

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 biggest fear was leaving my husband and kids. I wrote them each a goodbye letter in case something happened. I was not afraid of the surgery itself because I have had numerous operations in the past. Write out your fears and let them surface, face them, talk about them. Don 't keep them to yourself because they will grow by leaps and bounds, way out of proportion.

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?

The only family members that knew were my husband and kids. I didn't tell anyone else, because I didn't want to hear what they had to say and I didn't want to worry them. My family has been very supportive, but at first was shocked when they found out. I was 2 1/2 months out before they knew.

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, she allowed me all the time off (without pay) that I felt I needed. I was actually out of work about 10 weeks, but I was set to return to work at 4 weeks and fell down the stairs of my home. Then my husband left for Kuwait and Iraq so I took time off to be with him before he left.

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

My hospital stay was wonderful. Everyone was so kind. I spent alot of time walking around, visiting the other 4 who had surgery the same day I did. I went in on Monday, had the surgery on Tuesday and went home on Saturday. The most important thing to bring is your own pillow so you will be more comfortable.

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

no, but the gastric tube drove me crazy until they removed it.

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 great, just sore. I had the hardest time with food commercials. I wanted to eat those things, but knew I couldn't.

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

It was harder than I thought it would be. As I mentioned, I have had lots of operations, but I was much younger. Just remember to move, don't just become a couch potato. The hardest thing for me was watching food commercials, Mentally, I still wanted to eat all those things although I wasn't the least bit hungery. I did experience a little bit of depression, but I think that was from all the changes physically and mentally I had to make.

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

2 1/2 hours away. I could call them anytime, and I did. They were very supportive. The only thing I don't like about that is that I have a difficult time going to the support meetings.

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.

Of course things with sugar were off limits. I was really suprised how sweet things became and how greasy things tasted. I don't like the taste of white bread or pizza anymore. I don't like things with much sugar in them and fried things taste nasty. I followed very strictly the diet program that was provided but did eat tuna and salmon too early. They made me sick as did broccoli and brussel sprouts. I can eat them now though.

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

I walked around my house, went out shopping and visited the people at my job, just a week after the surgery. 6 weeks after the surgery I made a 6 1/2 hour trip to visit family. My activity level has increased by leaps and bounds since the surgery.

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

We had to take 4 chewable flintstone vitamins, 2 Tums or Viactiv, 1 Iron pill a day and once a week I took liquid B12. I am down to 2 chewable flintstone completes a day now.

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 have thrown up a total of 9 times since my surgery 7 months ago. I don't think that is too bad. I know what caused each one and have become very aware of the problem. I didn't experience hair loss because I was very careful to make sure I got all my vitamins and protein in during the first couple of months. It was depressing each time I threw up and my family really worried about me, but that price was nothing compared to the way I feel now.

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

The gastric tube and the scar.

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

We have a meeting the second and fourth Thursday evening of each month. I don't make it to many of these. They also have small groups you can join, but I live 2 1/2 hours away. I have really enjoyed the ones I have gone to, they were very encouraging.

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

I was cut from my breastbone to my bellybutton and a small round scar to the left from my gastric tube. I expected this scar, the doctor told me all about it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I haven't really experienced a plateau. I am currently losing about about a pound to 1 1/2 every 6 days, but I am 7 months out.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, I get lots of comments about how I have become more outgoing and my personality has changed. I am much more happy.