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

Probably Carnie Wilson! Then I found out a friend had had it then a mom at dance class. They both did GREAT! Then I talked with a business associate and that was it. I was hooked and just had to have it!

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

I had a very easy time. Just be sure to keep copies of EVERYTHING in a binder. I also had to kind of bother my PCP as he wasn't always the quickest at getting my surgeon or the insurance company what they needed.

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

Take a list of questions you have. My surgeon was happy to answer everything/anything and he told me things I never thought about. You HAVE to have a good repoire with your surgeon. Remember, this person will be part of your life for a long, long time. If your personalities clash, find someone else.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

It was a no-brainer. Seeing 265 on the scale and having horrible knee pain was it. I was never nervous. I've always been excited about it.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I did research and my surgeon and I both decided the RNY was best for me.

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?

Let's face it. You can die from ANY surgery! Unfortunately, people think this is a 50/50 shot. It's not!!!! You're at risk every time you go under anesthesia. Talk to your surgeon. You have to have faith.

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 didn't tell too many people. My parents knew and my in-laws knew. My mom was nervous and dad thought I was brave. In-laws said very little. I would have kept it from my in-laws. I've gotten TONS of support from my folks!

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

I work for my husband so he already knew. lol I was "technically" off work 8 weeks but, honestly, I was answering phones the day I got home.

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

My surgery was May 25 and I was released on May 28. I never slept the whole time I was there. I was next to a loud door that the nurses used all night. Once my NG tube fell out on day 2 I was pretty much left to my own. A nurse's aide accused me of pulling it out. No one, except my husband, ever helped me get out of bed to walk. It was a horrible experience. I begged my surgeon to let me go home on the 27th. You really don't need a lot of things to go to the hospital. I took a change of clothes, my toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, ChapStik, and a camera. I really didn't need much.

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

None at all!

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 was never nervous even going into the ER. Sure it's a big change but it's the most POSITIVE change I've ever made!

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

I did great. Thank goodness. When I came home my husband's largest client had their network go down. Honestly, I was back to my mommy job on May 29th. I was doing laundry, driving the kid where she needed to go and everything else. I never felt icky.

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

The hospital is about 1 hour from my home. My surgeon is about 45 minutes from my home.

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've had no problems with food at all. I lived on jello and SF popsicles then SF Banana Cream pudding. I still love that stuff. I've had foamies once thanks to KFC chicken but everything else has been fine.

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

As I said I went back to my stay-home mommy job. I never felt pain, even in recovery. My energy has always been high.

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

I take 3 Flintstones chewables a day plus B12 and Caltrate.

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 had the foamies once. I started moderate hair loss at my 3 month surgiversary. I have very thick hair so I'm kind of lucky. Let's see how long it lasts.

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

I haven't had any bad things during the process. It's been fairly easy.

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

I go to Dr. Iqbal's support group once a month. I also have close friends who have RNY and they've been priceless support. And, let's not forget my May 2007 surgery family forum. They're wonderful!

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

It's absolutely what I expected. It's fading very nicely. I had open RNY and it's about 4 inches long.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I've had a few plateaus. Some have lasted a week or longer. I find that if I exercise a little more and, funny enough, eat 2 SF fudgsicles at night, it breaks it. My body is weird.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People who haven't seen me in a while are shocked! My inlaws hadn't seen me since November 2006. They didn't know what to say so they stayed silent. lol I don't hide the fact that I had RNY. I tell everyone about it.