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

My ob/gyn first mentioned it to me but I thought it was just too far out there for me to even reach for and that my insurance probably wouldn't pay for it.I then attended a seminar with Dr. Nease and knew from that moment that I had to do it to get my life back.

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

I did everything I was supposed to do,psych evaluation,ultra sound of my gall bladder and dietary classes.Every step of the way I just kept telling myself if God wants me to have this then I will pass.I felt if anything got in my way then it wasn't supposed to be but everything went well.I probably bugged my doctor's office to death to make sure my papers were sent in.When my letter of approval came in the mail,I was afaid to read it.But,oh so happy when I did.

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

It was great.I already knew I liked him from the seminar but after this first meeting,I just loved him and trusted him with my life.I probably should have asked more questions but I was so excited and I was going to be the perfect patient.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was miserable.Just getting in and out of my car was starting to get to me.I couldn't get up and down without holding onto furniture and tying my shoes was hard to do.I felt like I couldn't breathe anymore.I wanted my life back.I wanted to be around for my granddaughter and to be able to do things with her.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

There was never any real question.I wanted to RNY procedure.

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 have had several little surgeries and never before did I worry about not waking up but this time I had a nagging feeling in the back of my mind.I think it was because this was considered an "elective" surgery and lots of people were trying to talk me out of it.I never let on to anyone how I felt but I have to admit,that morning I was scared.The doctor who put me to sleep was not the one I had requested and that sort of threw me off but he was so kind and explained everything to me.He even visited me twice in the hospital.So,I know I must have been pretty close the death cause you never see those guys again. I would tell everyone to be prepared.Dr.Nease always told us that but I was so sure that nothing would happen to me that I didn't give it much thought until close to surgery.I think now I would have told my family how serious it could be and that I loved them.

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?

I really didn't tell my husband alot about it.I know he hated me being fat but I just didn't want to talk about it that much.Alot of my co-workers tried to talk me out of it.They were not only worried about my surgery but they didn't want to lose the old me.They like me the way I was.But,after my surgery,everyone has been so supportive.They are constantly handing out compliments and making me feel wonderful about myself.My husband is thrilled with his "new" wife.

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

As I said before,several tried to talk me out of it.I told them I had to do it for my health,not to get skinny.I just wanted to be comfortable.I was only off work for 3 weeks.

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

I was in ICU for 3 days and 2 more in a private room.The nurses and aides could not have treated me any better.In ICU,they never left my side and anything I needed,they were right there.They treated me so good I hated to leave. I can't think of anything to bring except, take your makeup and hair stuff.You might not want people to see you looking bad.But,personally,I felt so weak at first,I really didn't care who saw me.I wish now I had taken a camera for those first few days.

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

Yes,I nearly bled to death.I really thought I was dying but in my head I kept hearing that Destiny's Child song,I'm a Survivor,over and over again and just knew I would make it and only once did I say to myself,why did I do this?

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

My time went really fast.Dr.Nease insisted I get a colonoscopy because of a family history and he did my scope the week before my surgery.I just tried to get everything done before my surgery.Christmas was coming and I didn't want to have things to do at the last minute.I just tried putting any fears out of my mind,though they were there.

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

I was very weak because I had lost alot of blood.Just doing my hair wore me out.I was pretty sore and couldn't bend over well enough to wipe my own butt and that was very humiliating.I didn't expect that and had to have help for several days.I slept in the recliner and had to have help out of it everytime.Laying in bed at home was uncomfortable.I felt like I was suffocating.

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

I only live about 2 minutes from the hospital and doctor's office.

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 stayed on the liquids at first and eased into pudding and soups.My first solid food was probably fish sticks.I started eating eggs right away and to this day I love having my egg with cheese everyday.I certainly learned when I ate too fast or too much.At first you have to eat so slowly and if you don't pay attention,you will get sick.I threw up a few times.The pain is alittle scary the first few times but I just told myself it would pass and just walked it off or got rid of it.I now eat everything I want.Broccoli is probably the only thing that doesn't work for me.I don't eat or even want bread and I never drink pop.I do eat M&M's everyday.

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

I was weak at first but by 2 months post op I was taking a water aerobics class and feeling good.

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

I take a multi vitamin everyday.I now take Vitamin d and every month I give myself a B12 shot.

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 really didn't have any problems.My stomach felt funny at times,almost like when you are pregnant and the baby is kicking but that passed after a couple of months.Sometimes my stomach makes loud gurgling noises, but I can't really say I feel hungry.

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

The waiting and wondering if you are going to get approved and then after the surgery,the heat is on.You have to lose weight or everyone will know you are a failure.Just thinking that you might be that one in a million that it doesn't work for is a scary feeling.

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

We have a support group that meets once a month.It's great to talk to other people who are going through the same things.Everyone needs to go to their support groups.We all have a great time and enjoy seeing how each other is doing.

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

I have maybe 5 little scars.Nothing bad at all.I thought they would be worse.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Every couple of months I would get stuck for a week or two and I would think,ok this might be the end of it for me,then all of a sudden,3 or 4 pounds would drop off but I never got discouraged.I felt so good after losing the first 30-50 pounds that I would always say to myself,if this is the only weight I lose,it was still worth it cause I felt so much better already.It's been 6 years now and I have only gained back 10 - 15 pounds but am working on getting them back off.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Oh yea,people are so much nicer and of course,men notice you all the time and tell you how good you look.That makes you feel good but then your husband can get a little jealous too.