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

I saw Liv-Lite advertised on TV.

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

Susan at Liv-Lite handled everything.

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

I was in a group when I first met Dr. LaBrie. He explained everything and even drew pictures. Then he met each one in the group one on one.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I felt so comfortable with Dr. LaBrie and the Liv-Lite staff. I knew I had to do something to feel better.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The 'Micropouch' procedure was the only one they offered. That's why I went to Dr. LaBrie, it was the only one he believed in.

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 believe in God and I wasn't afraid of dying.

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 husband did not like the 1 - 200 odds of dying. My friends and family did not realize it was such a major surgery. Everyone was against it. My husband took such good care of me after the surgery. I don't know what I would have done without him.

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

She thought I should not have it done. When I told her about it, she said I would have to get approved by the insurance company. I told her I already was. I was off from work for eight weeks. I had a drain tube in for six weeks which was very uncomfortable.

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

I was taken very good care of. I was in a room by myself for four days. The hospital provided everything I needed.

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

No

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 a little nervous, but I have had several surgeries in the past.

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

I was so miserable I could barely eat or drink. I made a big mistake by not getting my protein in the first month. After surgery, I said to myself 'God, what have I done to my body?' I thought it was a mistake.

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

The hospital was four hours from my home. I went to my PCP to get the staples out. I couldn't find a doctor to take my drain tube out, so I went back to Dr. LaBrie and I'm glad I did. If I lived closer, I would go to the support group meetings.

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.

The only thing that tasted good to me in the beginning was Dole Strawberry Bars. Of course they had sugar in them and make me dump. Tomato soup also tasted good. I couldn't drink orange juice in the beginning, now I mix it with my protein powder. Chicken is sort of hard to get down, but I pretty much eat anything now. I try to stay away from bread, pasta and cereal. I have cheated, especially since the holidays, and have had candy, cookies, etc. Eating wrong makes me feel bad, but I'm not perfect and never will be.

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

The first month I got very little exercise. I went back to work on February 10th and by March I was walking an hour a day. Then I increased my walking to two hours a day.

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

I started with Centrum Chewable. Then Dr. LaBrie suggested Vista Vitamins and I have been taking them ever since.

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 have never vomited. The hair loss lasted for about three months. If I eat wrong I dump. I have always had trouble sleeping. I was on Ambien, but now I take a Benadryl every night.

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

The drain I had in for six weeks.

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

If I need a question answered or help with anything, I email Susan at Liv-Lite. She is wonderful!

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

Ugly, but it is what I expected. It goes from below my breasts to 3 - 4 inches below my belly button.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

When I had lost 40 pounds, it seemed like my weight stopped for a little while. I lost 80 pounds in nine months and have not lost any since then. I would like to loose five more pounds.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

A lot of people tell me I look really good.