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

In the beginning, I thought it was desperate and hokey, especially after Carnie Wilson was going to do it live on the Internet! Plus, I hadn't really head of it as a common thing before... it sounded exclusive and expensive, a thing for celebrities and the rich. But, being desperate myself, I did the research and found out it wasn't hokey, it wasn't a desperate move (unless you yourself were desperate), it was common, and although expensive, it was attainable through health insurance.

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

My surgeon, Dr. Feinstein, told me that insurance approval for me would be easy (I have a BMI of 56+ and co-morbidities, i.e. other big things the insurance company has to pay for anyway). Although I was willing to go to bat and write letters and nag and howl and protext, it was all completely unnecessary. In fact, Humana told me that it all depends on how well the initial letter is written by the surgeon.

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

I went in knowing all I could learn on my own, so instead of a "lesson" about the surgery, it was more of a person-to-person discussion. I knew what type of surgery I wanted, exactly how it was performed, the pros and cons of surgery, as well as the cons of staying the way I am, or continuing my battle alone. I had lists of things that my weight loss has affected and/or caused, diets and methods I had tried, doctors I had seen before, things I was unable to do, and my concerns. I think the best way to go into this meeting is to be determined, knowledgable and honest so that you can get the full benefit of any assistance the doctor can give.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When I realized that I can't do it alone. I want to get married (I've got a supportive boyfriend who has never known me under 300# -- isn't he going ot be surprised!), I want to swim, rollerblade, hike the mountains, play softball and all that other stuff I could do when I was in high school. I also want to have kids, and although it's not 100% physically impossible yet, I would be putting my child at risk if I were to get pregnant now, and I also believe my children would not have the best quality of life having a fat mom. And being honest, I suppose I have small twinges of glee when I imagine seeing my ex again... Not to mention, I have a 10 year high school reunion coming up...

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted the procedure that was practically fool-proof. The RNY procedure works in three ways: 1) limits the quantity 2) limits the absorption, 3) limits the types of foods I can eat. It is also reversible, and although it is a lifetime change, it is a change for the better.

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 feel that my chances of dying early are greater if I continue the way I am.

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 mom (who has been thin for four years now but has yo-yo'd throughout my childhood) is 100%. My dad (who was thin until he got married, and now is quite heavy) didn't or couldn't comprehend the benefits over the risks of surgery. He's never tried to lose weight. My friends are 100%, especially those that knew me when I was thin, and my co-workers, including my direct boss and my CEO) are 100% as well. My boyfriend is very supportive, although I don't think he understands how important this is to me. He weighs ony 130# maybe and his entire family is also very thin. Only after showing him pictures of myself in high school did he seem to understand.

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

My employers are behind me 100%. I have kept them in the loop the entire time, explaining the procedure and my never-ending list of doctors appointments. I plan to take a 1 month leave of absence, working from home for 1/2 salary.

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

I was in the hospital for three days. The most important thing to bring is comfortable and decent clothing to wear as you walk the halls. soft, non-constricing PJs, slippers and a robe are a must.

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

I was lactose intolerant for the first six weeks. After I got home from the hospital, I began to feel like crap -- nauseous, didn't want to get out of bed, etc. Turns out it was all te milk protein drinks I was trying to down! I switched to soy proteins, and then gradually began doing milk proteins with Lactaid. Eventually, this problem went away on its own.

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 go to regular group meetings to get answers and feel normal. I had one big panic attack when I felt a lump under on of my LAP incisions -- and I called the doctor after hours repeatedly until I got a reply! BTW, it was nothing and went away on its own approximately six weeks later. I sure was in tears at the time.

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

Slow. I spent the first month home from work, and it was hard getting used to the new routine: Daytime TV, babyfood, walking and sleep.

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

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, I was lactose intolerant. This lasted for about six weeks. I used soy protein as my primary source, and then worked in milk proteins while using Lactaid. I can eat just about everything now, within reason, although I really pushed the new foods for probably week five on. Consequently, I had a lot of vomiting from foods I was not used to. I've never experienced dumping. I eat ground beef, lamb, chicken breasts, all types of fish, sushi, rice, pasta, breads (though sparingly). Usually I have a problem with food when a) I am excited or depressed when I eat, b) I swallow too much air, c) I eat too quickly, d) I eat too much (that last bite will always kill me), or e) I drink liquids too soon after a meal. I am now almost three months out.

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

Immediately after surgery, I was pretty active -- I was psyched and walking on my treadmill 20 minutes after every meal, and I was packing for a big move. Since, I have slowed down and am trying to pick up the pace again by using a website called Dietwatch.com to track my progress. I wish I had a buddy to walk with.

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

I take 2 Flinstones chewables each day. They taste very, very sweet, which is a BAD thing. I also take calcium citrate chewables. I originally tried taking liquid multi, calcium and iron, and boy are those things NASTY!

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 is my biggest problem, only because it is one of the few problems I have experienced. Vomiting is easy, it doesn't taste like stomach acit, and its usually a small quantity of food, but I still feel bad after I do it. Sometimes, I vomit as much as once a day, usually during high-stress times. I am mostly in control of it now, and I only vomit once or twice a week. I am almost three months out.

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

The day after in the hospital. Too many tubes!

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

The St. Luke's hospital support groups are wonderful. As part of their aftercare program they have twice monthly meetings. There is also an AZ WLS Yahoo! group online, and I have access to a dietician specializing in WLS through the hospital. The combination of the three is a fantastic support network for whatever need i have.

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

My LAP scars are very, very small. I have approximately four thin one inch scars and two quarter inch scars that are all fading fast. It is worse than I expected for LAP surgery (I expected smaller incisions, like dots) but way better than the open scar, in my opinion.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have finally gotten off a three week plateau. I wasn't eating enough at because I was very stressed and vomiting a lot, which made me not hungry at all. I eventually got back on a monitored diet, eating six small meals a day, 70+ grams of protein, lots of water, and started exercising more. Hooray, the scale dropped again just a few days ago.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, but only because I lead a pretty sheltered existance right now. I don't go out in public much (I lost my job a month ago), and it's usually just me and my other hanging out together. I did have a party last weekend, and all my friends and co-workers had noticed and gave me compliments.