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

Word of mouth in 2001...did not pursue until 2009. It is a scary undertaking, it is life changing. It is not easy by any means, it is serious, and hard, and takes a truly motivated person to be successful.

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

I had BCBS of NC & qualified based on BMI alone. A good surgeon will have the staff to get you through all the necessary clearances. Be patient but persistent.

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

Very positive and thorough. Make a list of questions and take it with you, pay attention to their reactions, and listen to what they have to say. Be open minded and let the process take place. Don't rush anything but stay on top of what needs to be done. Don't be a victim, be a leader of your own life!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The right insurance, the right surgeon, the ever increasing number on the scale. I had to gain back control of me. There is a certain desperation in deciding to have this type of surgery. It takes a toll on you emotionally, on one hand you feel like a failure that you can't do it on your own, on the other hand it is an amazing tool that will give you back control and a chance to hit reset on your life. This is very serious, this is your life, you only get one.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Based on my personal BMI, RNY was the way to go for most effective long term success.

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?

Go to the patient education classes, educate yourself, leave no stone unturned. I was very scared of complications and death. All the way to the surgical table, but I trusted the process and the medical staff and they did their job. I had pneumonia after and within 8 weeks had gallbladder removal, the staff took care of me and got me through it. Both were known risks going into this surgery. I would not let fear hold me back from this amazing transformation.

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?

Surprised and supportive and scared and excited all at once. I would not change one thing. I am a very dominate person, if you know me, you either get on my train or get out of my way. If anyone has not been positive or supportive there is no room in my life for them. I make people better, I create positive environments, I motivate people...my circle wants to be around me and they are highly supportive even now.

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

Supportive and positive reactions all around. I gave full disclosure after getting final insurance approval. I was out 8 weeks in all.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

Nervous, nervous, nervous. It was very informative and it is the beginning. You have to start with the info session, it starts your thought wheels to turning and motivates yourself for change.

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

Painful, fuzzy, painful. 3 nights. Chapstick, bedroom shoes, laptop - leave everything else at home. This part goes so fast, I barely remember it, but it was no walk in the park.

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

I had pneumonia, was on blood thinner shots for a month, lost my gall bladder. The 1st 12 weeks are the roughest. Get through that and you will be on your way to a new life. I let the medical staff get me through it, they were awesome. I am healthy today!

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

Tired, low energy, stressed out, wanting instant weight loss gratification. I got close to a former surgical patient and leaned on them for the 1st 12 weeks. They got me through it! You have to help yourself, you can't eat to feel better anymore, so find something else that works.

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

Focus on you, not anyone else but you. Focus on learning to eat again. Live 2 weeks at a time for the 1st 12 weeks, every 2 weeks your life changes again. Center your mind on building grocery lists and building an eating plan and learning to plan for 3 days out on all meals. Teach yourself how to live with this new plumbing. It's all about you you you. Make you better - make others better in the long run. Get your protein in if it takes you from sun up to sun down. Protein intake = successful weight loss.

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

45 minutes from home. Aftercare was fine, still within reasonable driving distance for me.

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.

No bread, pasta, rice, potato, sugar, soda. I continue to live this way. Protein, veggies, fruit, water, milk. This is my success model. 1 week of liquids, 2 weeks of puree, 2 weeks of soft, then onto regular stuff like solid food again. Nutritionists come in handy, your surgeon will have one on staff, they can give you snack lists and sample meal plans. I keep it simple: yogurt, nuts, meat, cheese, protein shakes.

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

Low the 1st 12 weeks, then I began to exercise and have been a rocket of energy ever since. Running circles around my old self.

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

The recommended bariatric supplements daily: calcium, iron, multivitamin

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?

None of the above, I made sure I hit my protein needs each day and followed the medical recommended progression from liquid back to solid food and allowed my body to heal, no rushing. I had no issues. Get you a good protein powder, stick to fat free milk, you will be on a good path!

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

Medical clearance pre-op. Very stressful. I don't even want to think back to those days...oh and the pre-surgery "clensing" solution...when I want something to eat that is not the greatest decision...I think back to the night before surgery and that desire goes away!

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

I attend bariatric support group provided by the surgeon and nutritionalist and I use online resources. These are very important, they keep me motivated to push forward not fall back. You have to continue helping yourself, always!

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

Who cares, I am alive! It looks great, barely visible. Once the weight is gone, the scars and the skin are not as important cosmetically, trust me. Pre-surgery patients focus on this way more than post-surgery patients do.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None, protein intake = weight loss. Exercise = toning and definition and fat burning = weight loss. I lost avg of 13.5lbs per month until 14mo out now I am maintaining 170lbs...right where I need to be. I pushed hard and made a commitment to lose lose lose the 1st year and I did it. No sneaky foods in my meal plans. Stick to a good food plan and move your body, you will lose. If you don't eat, that is when the plateau comes. It's a different world on the other side of this process.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, I am treated the same, I have never accepted anything different. I command respect, I give equal respect in return. I am the same person inside, just more awesome on the outside. I would be offended if someone tried to treat me differently now. I have always been driven and dominant, but not repressive to others, no one could convince me to lose weight pre-bariatric surgery because I wouldn't let them "in"...there is no way I would let anyone influence me negatively now - I still have boundaries but they are based on much more healthy reasons now. I have learned so much through this journey, I am more open now, not so guarded, and my circle has reaped many benefits.