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

I first learned of bariatric surgery from a TV commercial. I didn't know all of the details, but my first impression was that surgery seemed like a very extreme way to lose weight! And actually, I still feel the same way. It is very extreme, but being fat is very serious!

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

My husband is active duty military. I had no problems getting it covered.

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

First, I have to say that I think I had the most wonderful surgeon in the world!!! I feel so lucky to have been referred to him. Our first meeting was very encouraging. He explained the surgery very well. He explained the entire process of determining rather or not I would be a good candidate for the surgery. He took a lot of time with me and answered all my questions very well!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had a lot of confidence in my surgeon. This played a big part. I spent a lot of time thinking about all the pros and cons. I knew I had to lose weight, but having faith in Dr. Richard, my surgeon, made me very comfortable about having it done.

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'm sure I had all the normal fears before and even after surgery. There really isn't much anyone could have said to me to make it any easier. I had a lot of faith that God would take care of me. That's how I made it!

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?

I took a little different approach. I didn't really tell a lot of my family what was going on. We don't live close to any of them. Most of them knew I was having surgery, but they didn't know exactly what I was doing. My husband was VERY supportive. He told me from the first time I mentioned having the surgery that he supported me if I wanted to have it. He also let me know that he loved me just the way I was. If I didn't want to have the surgery, that was fine too!

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 5 days. I was treated very well!

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

I had some problems with the incision healing. A few different sections came apart and that slowed the healing a little. I also developed an infection in the area around the drain tub I had in my stomach. These were both minor problems and were handled very well by my surgeon.

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 about the surgery. I was like a kid at Christmas! I couldn't wait! I was in a hurry to begin losing weight!

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

My first few weeks home were horrible! I have to be totally honest. There was nothing good about it! I was in a lot of pain all the time. I couldn't lie down flat on the bed to sleep, so I slept in a recliner. I had a drain tub for about 4 weeks after surgery and that was very painful. Being in so much pain all the time took a toll on me emotionally. I had a few weeks that I battled with the fear that I was never going to get better and maybe I had made a mistake by having the surgery. The best advice I can offer anyone suffering with this is to talk about it! That is very important! You may feel helpless and sad. That can keep you from seeing the whole picture. Talk to your spouse or your doctor if you feel this way. Even better, talk to someone who has been there! They can help you see beyond recovery!

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

Only about 5 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 first couple of months after surgery I couldn't eat greasy food or too much sugar. I still can't eat very much of either type of food. I think of it as a blessing! It keeps the temptation away to eat the foods I know I don't need!

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

I had open surgery with an incision almost 10" long. Because of that, I had very limited activity for the first couple of months. I tried to walk as much as possible, but I got tired very quickly! The good news is that as time went on and the incision healed I was able to do more and more. Now, almost 10 months post-op, I can do more than I ever could before!

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

I took a children's chewable vitamin once a day for the first few months.

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 had hair loss a few months after surgery, but that didn't last very long (maybe 2 months).

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

The pain for the first three weeks after surgery was the worst part for me. I really had a lot of pain!

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

My scar is getting better. It is actually not as bad as I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have been pretty lucky there. I have had a couple of plateaus, but they didn't last long, a couple of weeks at the most.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, I have been VERY surprised. I didn't realize it so much before, but for the most part, people were not very friendly toward me 100 pounds ago. That has changed. I have changed too. I am a lot happier and a lot more outgoing. That may have a lot to do with it.