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

I don't remember how I first found out about it. I started researching it back in 1997. I let it drop for awhile and then started again in 2000. Then Carnie Wilson brought it to the forefront of peoples attention. I have to thank her for that. I have always been for this surgery. If its what you need to do to be healthy, then go for it.

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

The problem wasn't with my Doctor's office or even the insurance company. I had decided that I wanted surgery, I went thru the program and I wanted to hear from the insurance as quickly as humanly possible. It took just 2 weeks. My only advice is to be patient. Because otherwise, you are just going to make yourself crazy! When the Doctor's office called me I was just hanging up from harrassing the insurance company again. She told me and I burst into tears. I had totally convinced myself that I was going to be denied. But, thankfully, that didn't happen.

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

My 1st meeting was a group information session. I thought that he was a wonderfully caring man for doing this. He spent time wiht all of us answering questions and being perfectly honest with all of us.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I don't think that for me I never wanted this surgery. I have always wanted to do it and now its finally the right time.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I have always wanted to go with the Lap RNY. I have come to terms with the fact that once they are in there Lap might have to be changed to Open. I am now OK with that.

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?

Its funny, but my only fear was that I was going to be denied by my insurance company. But, I'm not worried, nervous or anything like that. I just want 10/21/02 to hurry up and get here! Also, my friends and family are worrying enough for all of us, so techincally, there is no need for me to do it...someone is already doing it for me!

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 roommate was totally against it at 1st. She has since come around and become my biggest supporter! My parents are all for it and my brothers are cool with the idea. I think that everyone knows how badly that I want this done... Now that I am 2 months post-op, I think that my friends and family are quite bored with surgery and my support has fallen by the wayside. That's ok because I am totally supported by my Drs and my friends here at AMOS.

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

My supervisor was all for it. Her Mother had this done, so when I told her, she was like "take as much time as you need!" They are being wonderful about this.

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

I had surgery on Monday (10/21/02) and I was able to "escape" on Friday! I should have gone home on Thursday, but the kitchen staff gave me sugar jell-o instead of sugar-free and I dumped HARD! They ended up keeping me to make sure that I was OK. All the stuff that I brought, I didn't use. Bring chapstick.

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

No, my Dr. said that I had a textbook case. The only "complication" that I had my entire stay was that the caf gave me full sugar jello instead of sugar-free...I found out that I dump and that I dump hard.

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 feel great! I have felt better and better as the weeks go on and sometimes there are moments that I actually forget that I have had surgery! Its now been almost 3 months and I am feeling better now than when I was 22! I feel like a new person. I am so glad that I was able to save my life. Its now a week past 7 months. I don't feel like a new person, I AM a new person. I have self confidence, and my entire personality has changed. I am still the same person in general, but my outlook has changed. I am fun again and I WANT to laugh and have a good time. I am no longer sullen and moody and am now back to being cheerful and bubbly! :-) Thank goodness for Dr. Barba.

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

Expect to be tired and expect to be restricted from doing things for yourself. I had a very tough time bending at the waist. I needed help doing EVERYTHING the 1st few days home from the hospital.

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

My surgery is going to be done in the next town over (I live in East Hartford and the hospital is in Hartford...)

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.

I was started off with liquids...it wasn't until 10 days after surgery that I could start mushy foods. I now have been able to keep down chicken, pork roast, fish, shrimp, cheese...just about everything that I have tried. Junk food and sugar are off limits. I don't want to tempt fate. I am almost 3 months out and can eat just about everything except, breads, macaroni, rice and anything else over-processed. I do great with meats and cheeses.

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

It started off slow and then on week 3 it was like a switch was flicked...I had more energy and I was starting to feel more and more like me every day. On week 5 I joined a gym and have been doing great. I'm still going to the gym and doing fanstastic! In one month, I'd lost 18.80 inches and 12.09% body fat!

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

Everyday I take a multi-vitamin, 2 B-12 and 1 iron pill.

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 still get nausia and if I am not careful I do dump. I think for me those 2 are the worst. Yeah, I don't like it when my hair falls out but I think that its worse to have dry heaves.

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

The waiting. I had an 11 month wait for surgery, if I want to eat I have to wait 30 minutes from the last sip and then wait again 30 mintues from the last bite. Everything is waiting...

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

I think that aftercare & support groups are totally helpful. I go to as many meetings as possible.

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

I have 5 1/4" scars. They are faded and hardly recognizable. I'm so glad that I had this done Lap.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I just got off my first real plateau. I didn't loose any weight for almost 2.5 weeks...but it was troubling because I am only almost 3 months out. But as of this morning it broke, so I am happy again! Now that I am 7 months out I have been on about 3 or 4 different plateau's and all have been different. Part of the problem is me though, I'm still not getting hungry, so I don't think about eating. I need to be more focused.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yeah...guys especially. Before surgery I was 285.5 and completely invisible. Its hard to imagine but its true. Now, guys that ignored me before are hitting on me and making comments but to be honest, it pisses me off. I don't have time or patience for people like that. I am also noticing that all people are looking me in the eyes now when they talk to me. I'm not so invisible anymore.