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

Carnie Wilson....I was amazed and wanted to know more

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

I realize for some getting approved is hard but I had Blugrass Family Health at the time and they approved me within three weeks. I had to do nothing the Georgetown Bariatric Hospital did it all for me....

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

It was great...(didn't hurt that he was young and VERY HANDSOME!!!) Ask all the questions you have they are there to answer them or my doctor was anyway.....

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had nothing else to loose

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I knew the Lap Band wasnt for me because of my eating behavior

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 little fears because I had came to a crossroad in my life I didn't want to live like that anymore. I was willing to do whatever to change my life!!! I would say if your having fears talk to people and decide if it's really what you want.

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 was all for it of course they had fears of me not making it but overall they knew I couldn't go on anymore like I was. After surgery everyone was very supportive

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

My Boss was very understanding and was all for it. I was only out of work for 4 weeks because I manage a finance office and pretty much just do paperwork...

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

My stay was great. Georgetown hospital is awesome. I stayed in ICU for one night then on to my room for two days then home. Just bring a comfy gown and something to read....

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

None

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 just ready to do it. I was actually not anxious in a nervous way just anxious to be healthy

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

My return home was good, I was energized to say the least I was cooking for my family the first night home and amazed that I wasn't hungry. It's what you make it

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

Only 20 mins away

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 on broth and jello bland things for the longest and protein drinks. I never was hungry...after about 3 weeks I started eating peanut butter crackers (only 1) and was satisfied w/ that. I'm over two years post op now and even though I can eat more I still like doing the P&B crackers. Bread is hard for me, it's very filling and you'll have little room. Now I can eat anything I want I don't dump. Sugar is fine for me although I don't induldge in it. I won't lie I do eat maybe a little part of a candy bar from time to time. I love chewing gum. I don't do Coke or anything carbonated I love unsweet tea with Splenda.

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

I started walking as soon as I came home. I rode bikes alot.

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

I do B-12 shots still to this day. I take vitamins daily and will for the rest of my life.

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 did get sick alot in the begining and sometimes I still do depends on what I eat. Hair loss was and still is bad. Vitiams are very important.

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

the gas after surgery

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

I did not attend any support meetings I had such support here w/ my friends and family but it is nice to talk w/ other people who have been thru what you have.So I would say it is important to attend and I still think about going from time to time I'm just a busy person.

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

I had 7 little scars and you can't see bit one of them anymore. It wasn't bad at all.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

My only Plateau was 1 yr after my surgery. I am down almost 200 lbs but can't loose anymore I weigh between 170-173 I would weigh less if I could have my skin removal.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes......