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

I heard about it 15 years ago and thought, "I'll never be THAT bad."

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

I have Blue Cross/Care First- no problems

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

Go with questions written down, after you have done your "homework/" Write answers down.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I'm tired of being tired. I want my life back.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I took my doctor's suggestion. It happened to be the same procedure I had researched and liked the most.

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 have no fears- I am at peace. I certainly feel I'll either be dead in 10 years or in a wheelchair if I don't do something about my weight. My life is in Jesus' hands.

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?

Many have seen the surgery on Discovery Health- I have not. I presented it as this is what I am going to do. Tell me no horror stories. I'd do nothing different.

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

I'll be out of work for six weeks. I'll be missing a very important time of the school year. I told everyone I know the truth- all are supportive and excited for me.

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

I had a complication so I stayed in the hospital for six days. I can't say I even felt like reading- I watched TV occasionally...

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

I just took things as God handed them to me. I was feeling fine, just vomiting every 2 hours- couldn't keep anything down, not even ice chips.

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 excited to have a date- did not get nervous, because I relly knew I wanted this surgery.

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

Dr. Vanguri has us up and running. I got dressed and walked each day- never took a nap. Went to bed between 10 and 11 PM nightly and got up between 7 and 8 AM each morning. Kept busy and moving. No lifting, straining, etc. Plenty of water.

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

Ten 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.

First month- pureed foods. So far I can eat dairy; I had a deviled egg. 4 oz water every hour and 2 oz pureed every 2 hours.

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

Constant moving and walking around the house or outside. Limited steps. Able to drive after my 2 week appointment.

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

GNC Hair, Skin,and Nails calcum,iron, A&D, multivitamin

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?

vomiting lasted aboutthree months until I remembered to EAT SLOWLY and CHEW MY FOOD.

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

Vomiting from overeating/eating too fast, or not chewing enough. GAS!!!

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

Once a month Dr Vanguri has a support group meeting.

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

My scar is light pink, preety straight and a little off-center!! :)

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

After about 9 months my weight loss started to slow down. At 11 months I joined a gym and lost 4.5 pounds that month. Tanning too, now! The TROPHY WIFE!!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, they always tell me how nice I look. Makes you go hmmm...