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

The first time I heard of it was when Carnie Wilson had the surgery. I thought it was, like may do, the easy way. I know diffrently now. I know that there is no Easy way.

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

My approval experience was painless. I credit that to my doctors office. They know their stuff and I had everything done... (i.e. first meeting - surgery) with in 3 months.

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

The first meeting was very informative.. almost too much. I had lots of questions at my first appointment but the staff made sure I had all of my answers. overall it was very positive.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My BMI and the fact that I was developing type 2, sleep apnea and i felt like crap.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

By the information the doctor gave me. I knew that I needed to work on my sugar issues and the RNY was better for that.

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 was very scared about dying. I would read the memorial page on OH and thought what if that is me. I was totally scared. My fears were valid. It is a very risky surgery. Any surgery is. My doctors statistics is what eased my fears. And talking to his patients.

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 had mixed feelings. They all see how well I have done so now that feel it was a good decision for me.

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 great with everything. I told them I was going to be out because I was having WLS. I was out for a month.

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

My stay was very nice. The staff was amazing. Very caring. I was there for 4 days. I felt the most important things to bring were my pillow, chap stick, my pj's, rubber soled slippers, and stuff to read.

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

I did not have any complications other than constipation. Prune juce and hot tea.

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 scared to death! I coped with it by talking with other patients that my doctor had.

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

The first two weeks home... I was depressed. I found this was normal though. I found going on to OH and talking helped.

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

about 45 min. same for after care and it doesn't affect my after care because I love my doctor.

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.

My doctor has a strict diet after surgery. I was on protein shakes for the first 4 weeks. after that I was able to have broth soup, and at about 8 weeks i was able to start eating eggs and such.

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

I forced myself to move. I am glad I did because I think that is why i recoverd so fast. I also feel that helped with head hunger.

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

I have to take daily ... multi vitamins, B-12 sublingual and Calcium citrate

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?

In the begining I vomited quite a bit... I had to get used to how much my tummy would hold. I had dumping, I don't have that as much now. Hair loss was pretty bad for me between 3 and 6 months. I am now growing it back in.

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

I would say the fact that you have to learn how to deal with your emotions because you can't eat them away.

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

I have a huge after care support program threw my dr. It is very helpful. I feel that every dr that is doing WLS should have a support program.

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

My scar is bigger than average. Not in length but in width. It is because of how I heal. It is fadeing though

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have hit a few plateaus along the way Mostly because I let bad food creap into my diet. WLS is a tool ... you still have to work at it.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I do. This upsets me at times. If I wasn't good enough to talk to then... don't talk to me know. That is the attitude I have a lot of the time when people see me.