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

I was like WOAH!! I wonder if it would work for me. Slim fast wouldn't so why would this? Just thought it was another scheme to get my money. I saw an advertisement from the Bariatric Surgeons Center in Columbus, Ohio. I really considered it, then thought my insurance would never pay for it, so didn't persue it. Till I saw Carnie Wilson had the surgery, then I went head first into it all. I learned everything I could and am still learning, and I'm willing to give it a chance. I have high hopes that it will work for me.

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

I had no problems at all with my insurance company. Most everyone there was very helpful. They gave me the direct fax number to the medical review board where my surgeon's office sent all my medical history to. My advice is find the fax number that goes directly to the medical review board, and have your records sent there. You will get a faster response than if you mail it.

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

My first visit with my surgeon was 3 hours late. I suppose he had others just as anxious as I to know every detail about how he handles this surgery. I think if you just listen, and write down everything you don't know about, and do research on the internet, you'll be fine. Ask most of your question to the office staff, they are much more patient and helpful.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was much too heavy and I wanted to enjoy life and get back to the old me, prior to the weight gain. I saw my children and husbands health declining due to my poor eating habits imposed upon them. I want a better life for myself and my family. That's why I want to have this surgery. I found out my insurance may cover this surgery. I also found out that more insurance companies, recently, are covering this surgery, so I'm going to give it a try.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I researched many websites and went with the majority. What everyone else was saying was the safest and the most common, along with the procedure my surgeon performs most and best. I have heard my surgeon is one of the best, and so he would know, I would think, more than I. Also he is going to perform the surgery I first chose anyway.

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?

My fears weren't that great till I spoke with my surgeon. He said the biggest problem is blood clots but he uses two types of blood thinners. Even still I worry. I don't want to die from the surgery but I don't really see my health issues being resolved any other way. I will die either way, so I will take this risk. I love my family and I really hope that God does not need me yet, and that everything will go well. But if it doesn't, I will know I tried, and I hope my family knows that too. I would tell others life is a series of risks. Some are bigger than others. You do, in life, what you think is right for you. I feel this is right for me. Don't do it unless you're absolutely sure this is what you want. It's a change in so many ways, I'm not even sure I've understood the whole scope of the surgery, but I will, eventually.

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?

Everyone I've told has been supportive, or hasn't made any comment other than they are happy for me and hope it goes well. At first my husband was worried but I had him read some of the websites I read and get a feel for what happens after the surgery from others perspectives and it helped him to accept that I wanted this surgery. He was very much for it after he read what I read.

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

Although I haven't had the surgery and haven't even received my date, both my employers are willing to give me the time off I need for the surgery. They are both very understanding and realize how important this is to me. I am truely blessed. I told them both straight out what I was going to do and got nothing but 100 percent backing and blessings from them.

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

I had very competant nurses, with one exception. I was there for 4 days. I went in Tuesday at midnight and left Saturday evening. You will need a back scratcher, chapstick, and deodorant.

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

No. Because I had a hernia repair and I was so front heavy, my doctor told me my belly button would colapse. It did, and he told me to stuff it with gauze, which I did. It healed shut by the 6th week.

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 scared. I didn't want to die. The anxiety I felt was dealt with by spending all my time with my family and sharing my fears and them sharing their fears. It made us much closer.

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

HORRIBLE!! I was in so much pain. I constantly wondered why I even had this surgery. My doctor said it was depression that all go through after this surgery. He said it would go away after 2 months. He was right. I no longer feel this was a bad decision. But I am hesitant to recommend it to anyone.

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

About 10-15 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.

In the beginning, the protein powder he gave us made me real ill. So I had a hard time taking it. I had to feed through my g-tube. When I got to the pureed stage, I realized I was lactose intollerant. I can now handle some milk products but not many, at 2 months out.

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

Activity level was little to none, days after surgery. Months after surgery my level of activity was high. I now spread myself too thin at times. I am definately enjoying life.

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

Multivitamin, Vit A, Vit C, Vit B, Calcium and iron.

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?

Sleeping problems were bad for the first month. I was then able to sleep on my stomach and comfortably. Vomiting with anything that was colder than room temp, occured for the first 5 months. Diarrhea was present after having any milk products or sugar. Hair loss happened at about 3 months until the 8th month. It has since slowed down a lot. A year later, dumping still happens but rarely.

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

The worst part was immediately after surgery. Not knowing if this is going to work. The pain involved with the surgery itself. The life change, because eating is an addiction.

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

My surgeon has a grocery store walk through and a support group meeting once a month. It helps me determine what to eat at what stage and how much. I appreciate that he does this because it gives me variety and makes eating interesting moreso than boring and bland. As for the support group meeting, I have yet to go to one.

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

My scar starts about an inch from my sternum down to about an inch below my belly button. It curves around the belly button. It's about 10 inches or more in length. The scar healed well and I like the way it looks now, because I have accepted it as a part of my body. It's not what I expected but I am fine with that now.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I haven't had any yet. I've had a 60 lb loss in 9 weeks. January 13, 2002. I have been experiencing my first plateau for the last 2 months. I have been losing and gaining about 10 lbs.. i keep fluctuating at 170 - 160. If I can break that 160 then I will be happy.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really. People are encouraging though. That is always welcome. I don't think anyone would treat me different because I continue to be the same outgoing and caring person I was prior to surgery. If they do treat me differently, then they have issues, not me. January 13, 2002. People do treat me differently. They see the outter me and not who I was prior to the weight loss. Yes, they may have judged me at 310 for my weight, but still cared to know the inner me. I feel now that I'm 160ish, they are judging me for my outter appearance and not giving me any credit for having a heart or personality. It is very discouraging. I now have to deal with issues that I was hiding from by being overweight.