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

I always thought of bariatric surgery as very extreme. A year ago, I would have told you anyone who has that is crazy! How dangerous! What is the point anyway. Nothing works. It would just be something else to be dissappointed by. Then, one day my sister called me. She is the mom of my 2 god children. She was crying and proceeded to tell me she was afraid to have me as their god mother, becasue she didn't feel I could care for them if she died. She saw how I struggled just to walk up 2 flights of stairs. How could I care for two little rambuncious babies? That really hurt, but it was also a reality check for me. It was true. That was November of 99. That was the week I started researching the surgery.

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

I applied for approval for the first time in December of 99. My insurance had a clause on it excluding any type of weight loss surgery. I was crushed. Soon after i got a job at a fortune 500 company. Knowing I wanted this surgery, I signed up for the best insurance they had. I went through the process again, and this time I was approved in about 9 days. It has all been a whirlwind from there. My advise to anyone who wants this surgery is, there is always a way to get what you want. You just have to figure out the loop hole. Mine was a new job.

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

I came into the office with a typed out list of all my family history, diet history, and health problems. I also had a list of questions I had been compiling for about a month. I was VERY prepared. Do your research BEFORE you see the doctor. You should know waht you are getting yourself into. This is you life. I went in with specific questions and got them all answered. My surgeon is a very intelligent man, who I feel very comfortable asking questions of.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had tried everything else and given up hope.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I researched it on the internet.

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 afraid, but I was MORE afraid of living the rest of my life at 376 pounds, and dying from it. I see this surgery as saving my life.

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?

My family was very excited for me. I was not expecting that. For the most part, they have also been very supportive after the surgery.

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

I told my supervisor that I had to have a necessary surgery and I would be out for 4 weeks. She didn't even ask me what for.

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

My stay in the hospital was somewhat frightning. I was there for 2 and 1/2 days. It was very strange to be a "patient". Nurses tend to be very unattached and unemotional, just trying to make it through their day. However, I was a little afraid to leave, for fear something would happen after I did. The most important things to bring are important phone numbers, chap stick, ......honestly, I really didn't need much of anything or care.

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

Three weeks post op I ended up in the hospital with a pulminary embullus. Translation, 2 blood clots in my left lung. I couldn't breathe without extreme sharp pains. I ended up in the hospital for Thanksgiving week. I must admit, I got extremely depressed. I was very discouraged and feeling very ill. My family really helped to keep me from sinking in too much. I have been out of the hospital for a week and I am feeling like a totally different person now. Much better.

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

The weeks after I got my surgery date were a mix of fear, excitement, hope, and anxiety. I was on a roller coaster!! I coped by talking about it ALL the time and studying the bible. I know I drove my family crazy!

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

The first 3 months are the hardest. This is the time when you have to deal with not having your best friend to turn to anymore when it gets hard. (food) It takes a lot of adjustment, but every day it will get better. It took me about 4 weeks to be up and around like normal again and to be able to sleep on my stomach.

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

30 miles

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.

The first few weeks after surgery, I couldn't eat bread, pasta, soda, rice, soup, red meat of any kind. I am now 7 months post op and I can drink soda, eat a little bit of rice, and eat soup if I chew really good. I still don't eat any bread or red meat.

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

I was not as active as I should have been. I was depressed, tired, and sore. I didn't really get back to normal for the first month.

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

Flintstones chewables, and Viactiv (calcium)

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 started loosing hair about 3 months post op and am still losing it at almost 7 months post op. That sucks. Luckily, I had really thick hair before. I vomit when I eat too much or the wrong thing. I sleep like a baby and very rarely dump.

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

The first 3 months of mental adjustment. It is really hard, but worth it.

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

I used to live in Atlanta, and I had a huge support group there. However, I have moved to Indiana, and haven't found anything yet. I miss that.

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

My scar is awesome. It is only about 4 inches long and fading fast. It is the best scar I have seen on anyone. :) My surgeon used internal staples and steristrips on the outside.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am 7 months out and i have been on a plateau for 3 weeks!!! Ugh. It is terrible. I have lost 113 pounds though, so I can't complain too much. I know it is just temporary.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I think I treat myself differently. I don't feel as much as if I stand out in a crowd and people are looking at me. My perceptions have changed.