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

As I said in question 1, a co-worker told me she was having it done and I was really interested. When she first came back to work I was scared and almost didn't have it done. But then one day I saw her and I thought she looked great, had energy, and I was sick of being the size I was. So that's when I called for an informational meeting. Now I'm 6 weeks post op and don't regreat one minute of it.

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

I didn't have any problems with my insurance. But my advice is to have as much information as you can.

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

It was exciting and very informative. Do as much research before hand and have alot of questions, even if you have to write them down.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Seeing how great my friend looked and felt, and my research of other people.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted what was going to work best for me and I thought this one would be, and more permenat.

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?

People have told me I was crazy but my only fear was to have my surgery cancelled, and it was the first time. I wanted this so bad that I didn't think anything could be any worse than what I was living through before the surgery. I'm not a relighous freak, but I do belive in god and I new he would guide the physicians and nurses and the rest of the staff to do what was right for me. If it was my time to go then well be it becaues in his world we are all the same with no imperfections.

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?

At first my parents and sister were very scared. My mom and sister accepted it before I had surgery. My father still wonders if I made the right choice. I told him it was as I already felt better. I had other family members that were real critices. But then they could use the surgery also. My husband was wonderful, and he is now waiting approval.

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

My employer was fine, and of course some people tell you you are fine but a blind person could tell you were in pain. I was off work 4 weeks.

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

My stay at Abott Northwestern was great. My surgery was first cancelled in preparation for a nurse's strike. It didn't happen so my surgery was 2 weeks later. So I was a little scarred on how the nurses would be seeing things didn't quite work out real great. But they were wonderful. I was there for 2 days as I live about an hour and a half away, so I didn't feel comfortable going home the next day. As far as what to bring, loose comfortable clothing to wear home and at the hospital if you don't like there gowns.

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

I had no complications, everything went great.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

When I had my date, I counted the days. People would ask me if I was scared and I said no, that my biggiest fear was being cancelled. Well that is just what happened. But the surgeons office ladies were GREAT and got me in only 2 weeks later. It wasn't suppose happen again until almost 2 months later. When I got the call that it was cancelled it was Memorial Day weekend and it was a bummer. The a couple weeks later I told my husband that I was going to take a bottle of that wonderful stuff you have to drink to clean you out the day before surgery, to work just in case they would call and tell me to be there the next day. I work past 3p.m. and live 45 min. from my job, and I needed to drink it at 3p.m. the day before. So anyways I took it to work that Monday and at 2:30p.m. the surgeon's office called and asked if I could be there the next morning? And of course I said yes, I'll be there that night just so I know I made it. I wanted this surgery in the wrost way as I'm sure that is how some of you feel. As far as coping, I drove everyone nuts. Thank God I have the most wonderful husband in the world. He is now having the surgery Feb. 22, 2002.

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

My first week home was slow moving around. I couldn't sleep in bed I had to sleep in the recliner. It was hard to bend and there was some discomfort. I have only had one other major surgery in my life and that was just as important to me as this one. So knowing what the final results would be and how great I would feel, the discomfort was nothing compared to the years of pain from being overweight.

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

Like I said earlier it's about an hour and a half to Minnisota for me. The only affect was that I stayed an extra day to make sure everything was as good as could be.

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.

Actually the first 3 months were better than the next 3. I don't know if I was more careful or what. At first I had liquid for a week and then soft stuff (like yogurt, cottage cheese, scrambled eggs, cream of wheat, tomatoe soup,etc.)and then worked my way up. My first 3 month I threw up once, a few times I wished I would have thrown up. Then the next 3 months I got sick a few more times as I tried rice, noddles. I am almost 8 months out and I can eat just about anything except if meat is not tender or moist, chicken, rice and noddles are my wrost things to eat. I have tried some sweets and one time I had a sugar high I couldn't believe. I haven't done that again.

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

At first I was slow, but I just kept pushing my self. I told my husband to go back to work so I would start doing things for myself. He pampers me badly.

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

I take a multi-vitamin every day along with 2 calcium tablets and Fiber Choice for more fiber as I don't get all my fruit and veggies in.

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?

Well I haven't really had any side effects as long as I eat what I'm suppose to. The only real problem for me is hair loss, I have been trying differnt things but no real great succes yet. I cann't tell that alot has come back, but I can tell that I'm not losing as much.

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

That I was unable to bath myself for the first week. I can not say anything worse than that. I have been asked several times if I regret what I did, and I can honestly say NO!

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

I really don't other than I go to the surgeons office every 3 months. But there are several women at work that have had this done and a few of us talk amoung ourselves.

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

I have 5 about 1" scars on my abdomen and a 3" scar on my leg. They are all healed fine.And compared to the extra weight I carried around, the scars are worth having to lose the weight.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Well the last couple months I have been on a little plateau, but I have not really exercised like I should have. And yes I now have started this week so hopefully it'll help.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not close friends and family.