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

I first learned about bariatric surgery after Carnie Wilson had lost a good portion of her weight. I was very unsure about something so dramatic, but also wondered if it might finally be the answer I was seeking. I researched the procedure and everything about it for approximately nine months before I made my decision. I have not regreted it once!

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

I was in the hospital for three days. I took too much with me thinking I would feel like reading or needlepoint. The only things I believe you need are a good pair of walking slippers (not ones that will come off too easily or that will make you trip), a toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant and I brought my pillow from home. Having my own pillow was not only comforting to me, but much more comfortable to use!

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

I suffered a severe depression for a short time after my surgery. After all, my best friend (actually, my worst) FOOD in large quantities was gone forever. I mourned my loss greatly! Through assistance, I was able to get over this in a relatively short period of time. I also wound up back in the hospital for a week after my discharge because of dehydration. I thought I was drinking enough, but obviously I wasn't! Drink, drink, drink...every 15 minutes...small quantities, but DRINK!

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 sought the assistance of a professional! It was the only way for me. I did not have any other support and needed to be able to cope with my anxiety and loss of food!

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

Take it slow. Realize that your body and mind have undergone a drastic change. Obtain professional assistance if needed. Increase your activity and try to realize this is just the beginning of a wonderful journey for you! You will not be able to eat much and yet you keep thinking that you can eat more then what you really can. I did not experience any real hunger until I was about six months out. I did experience head-hunger, though. Learn to know the difference and you will be much better off.

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

I only travelled about 25 miles each way for my surgery so it was no big deal.

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.

While on the full liquid diet afterwards, I longed for something to really chew! Sugar-free popcicles just weren't doing it for me! But I knew I could have problems if I introduced solid food too quickly. For a long time, everything I ate tasted the same to me...no matter what it was. This became very frustrating and discouraged me from eating. When my taste finally returned, about four months later, everything tasted so good that I easily could have tried to overeat. I had to remember that I could not eat large (or even small) quantities any more...only VERY small quantites. But it all tasted good at that point. As time went on and I introduced more types of food, I no longer felt like I had adjusted my eating habits...it felt as though I had eaten like this all alone! I still stay away from refined sugar although I can have some if I choose - just in moderation. I eat very little bread any more whereas sweets and bread had been my life before. At this point, I eat anything that I want only in small quantities and only three times a day.

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

My energy level and activity level increased each week after my surgery. I was amazed that I could now do things that I was unable to do before, or that I did not want to do before because of my weight.

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

Since I discovered the Isotonix line of supplements, I take only those! They have increased my energy level and generally make me feel much better then regular supplements because of the absorption rate and means. Even my husband who did not have the surgery uses these supplements and swears by them! I believe in them so much that I have recently become a distributor of Isotonix!

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 have experienced dumping a few times since my surgery and do not enjoy it at all! I stay away from foods that I know will make me dump. I had very little hair loss thanks to Biotin 2500! I swear by this and continue to take it today since it helps me keep my hair and fingernails healthy and strong.

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

For me, the worst physical part of the entire bariatric surgery was what I called "The Alein" or the drain tube. This was so uncomfortable for so long I couldn't wait to get rid of it! Unfortuantely, I had it longer then usually because of my dehydration right after surgery.

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

I did not have any support group afterwards. I do understand that my surgeon now does have a support group meet once a month at RHD and I may try to attend the next one just to see. I do believe strongly in some sort of a support group since there were many questions I would have liked to have answered, but didn't know anyone to ask at the time.

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

My scar is a little worse then I thought it would be. This is because I develped (a don't know what it is called medically) a very large "bubble" of fluid under my skin as I healed. This was approximately 3-4 inches in diameter and stood out enough so that it could be seen under my clothing. Apparently this is not an unusual thing but it was annoying. This bubble either breaks on its own or the fluid is simply absorbed back into the body. It took mine several months to be absorbed and the skin was stretched very much by this bubble. Due to this stretching the bottom of my scar is wider then the top part and is more unsightly.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I actually hit a plateau every two weeks! I only lost for two weeks out of the month right from the beginning. No one can explain why to me, but it was very frustrating! Even though I lost enough weight in the two weeks when I did lose for the entire month, I still kept thinking that if I lost at that same rate all four weeks, my weight loss would have been faster. As it is, I lost at a reasonable, healthy rate! When I did hit a real plateau and could not seem to budge, I just went back to eating like I had in the first weeks following surgery and within a few days, I was off my plateau.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People who knew me when I was obese treat me much better since my weight loss. They no longer look at me like a freak of nature or as someone who cannot control their lives. Those who did not know me beforehand are in awe when I tell them about my journey and show them my before and after picutres! While I am not pround of where I was before, I am certainly pround of what I have accomplished!