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

Carnie Wilson was on a magazine with results from WLS. So I jumped on the internet and landed here back in 2000.Quickly many on their journeys here inspired me to encourage myself to try one more thing. I could hardly believe there was a surgery that could help bring relief from being 386 lbs. at 5 ft short.

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

It took a year to be approved. Be diligent....and do your homework if you want WLS. There are pro's and con's to everything.

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

If I knew then what I know now...there is so much information out there than there was thirteen years ago. This site alone is amazing.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was approved.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I was only offered one option.

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 had no fears. My mother on the other hand believed I would die on the table. Looking back I was either overly optimistic or quite foolish. I advise over and over to do your homework, there are pro's and con's to everything. Ask your doctor if this WLS will add five years to your life or will it risk your life by that or more.

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 has had to watch me suffer through many complications.

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

N/A

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

Lotion and a loved one to rub your feet.

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

I have had many complications, the more detrimental include a stroke, intestinal sepsis, iron anemia, anemia that requires weekly and continuous infusions, etc.

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

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

I started dropping pounds so quickly. In five months I had lost over 150lb's.

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

Aftercare? What was that? Really... there was not any until I started having complications.

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.

Sugar has never bothered me but I chose not to have a sweet tooth. I did not have any co-morbidities with being 386, i simply was fat. Right after surgery i remember drinking broth as if it were going out of style, and eating a couple bites of Wendy's chili all day long. My girlfriend and i were just laughing that since WLS i never eat warm food because it takes me all day just to eat a little bit. *smile*

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

For the first two years it was wonderful.

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

Its now given via a power port by infusions now because i just do not absorb enough.

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 do not know these symptoms to get better. We hardly eat out since i am a waste of money in eating my food i order and to make matters worse what bits i get down often leads to where i have to run for the bathroom to vomit. I wish it were more positive, sorry.

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

The complications

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

My family and friends. I wish i had stayed on this site for support but i didnt because i didnt want to be discouraging to anyone. I have new complications and came back here because i need additional support.

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

My scar is from breast bone to pubic bone. I had expected a much smaller scar.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Because of medications, my weight has fluctuated as recent as Sept. as 220lbs. I am now 153 again without changing anything but meds. I just want to be healthier.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Just since i was 220 lbs in Sept. I notice people treat me differently even at the hospital.