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

I watched a tv program and got online and looked it up. My first impression was it was somethign I HAD to do, but I didn't think I could ever get it done because I didn't realize that it was somethign insurance would pay for. I thought it was just another thing for the rich! Ha!

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

My experience was "ok," again, this was FIVE years ago and things have changed. My advice to other people is to remember that this is all a battle and if you want it bad enough then you will fight for it. Remember that this is not like going into an office and your gallbladder needs to be removed, it's ALMOST like elective surgery, even though it is going to save your life. Strange I know, but the truth. Just remember, when it's tough that you are "creating your story" everyone has a story to tell after WLS.

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

My first meeting with my surgeon was awesome. I had been turned down by other surgeons and this surgeon was "new" in the area, but my BMI was so high and he was willing to take a chance on me. For some reason that faith inhimself AND that trust in that I would do what I was supposed to do made this visit awesome. He also said to me "we are buying each other for life..." and I knew that he wasn't just going to reroute my guts and send me away. Get educated, make sure you go to a seminar, research all the procedures that surgeon does and discuss your lifestyle and eating habits and past surgical history with your surgeon and make a decision WITH your surgeon about what is right for you.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was ready to live again!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I knew that I needed a surgery that would limit the amount of food I would eat and IF I made a poor food choice it would malabsorb some of the calories from that poor decision.

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 did not have a lot of fear about complications from the surgery because Dr. V went into a lot of detail on how to AVOID complications after surgery and I followed them. As far as dying from surgery, I was dying from obesity, I felt like if I was going to die, I was going to die trying...

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?

At first my brother freaked out! And he said "What about your quality of life?!" and I said, what quality of life do I have now? I can eat? I reminded him of how we had just taken my nephew to a go-cart park for his Birthday and I couldn't fit into the go-carts. For 2 hours I had to sit by myself and watch everyone else have fun,. I said so basically my quality of life is watching my life pass me by, and sometimes it's passing me by in go carts. And he kind of "got it" then. They had a hard time right after surgery when I was trying to learn how to adjust to my small pouch and I would throw up. Or it would seem like everytime we would have a family get together we would have a cook out (bbq meat doesn't do well in those pouches!) and my brother would get mad about me throwing up. But now that I have it all figured out now he's ok with it. Now that my family see's how active I am and all the stuff I can do with them and how healthy I have become, they are BEYOND supportive.

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

At the time my employer was very supportive (I'm at different job now). I was very open and honest about what I was doing because bariatric surgery was so new in the area then that I thought if people could follow me and possibly share it with someone they knew that might neede it. I was out of work for about 7 days. 3 days in the hospital and then 4 days at home, I couldn't stand watching food commercials!

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

It was ok, the nurses didn't know a lot about bariatrics back then. That hospital now has a Bariatric Center, so things have changed ALOT. Chapstick!!!

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

I did, I had an ulcer. I had it from taking Naproxen every day after surgery for 6 months (I'm a dumby!) I healed it was Nexium BID.

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 sooooo excited! I don;t recall any anxiety, I was ready to change my life.

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

Take it easy! Small bites, chew 30 times!!!!!! Drink water all day long.

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

3 miles **smile**

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.

Things are different now, but I went home one purees. PERSONAL ACCOUNT---> High sugar foods have been off limits. Greasy foods have been off limits. 5 years later and I still can't even eat ONE bite of Top Ramen (oodles n noodles in the south) without throwing up. NO FROSTY from Wendy's. I eat A LOT of protein now, even if I have to supplement it with protein shakes or Proteinex.

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

I walked for about 2 months and after I KNEW my incisions were healed I went to water aerobics. I was still too heavy to do a lot of cardio on my knees. After I lost about 80 pounds I joined a gym and hired a trainer.

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

Multi-vitamin, calcium, B-12, B Complex, Biotin, Iron and Omega-3

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?

Vomiting- about 3 months. Constipation-still, I have to eat accordingly. For the first 3 years I had to make sure I ate grapes every single day.

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

Breaking up with food.

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

I belonged to a support group that met once a month and an online group. I met some of my very best friends there. VERY IMPORTANT!

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

I have 5 hardly visable scars.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

They happen, expect it. And when it happens you get back on track, back to basics! Call your clinic and see what they offer to get you back on track, re-evaluate what you're doing.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes! But I am different now. I am more confident and I probably look up and smile more now.