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

I first learned of this surgery years ago, but didn't have the proper insurance that would cover the procedure. I was taking some college classes and a girl in my English class had just annouced that she had an approval and was given a surgery date. I again became interested and started researching.

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

I had a wonderfel experience with my insurance approving me in three days. I was prepared for what was required to get approval.

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

I was very happy meeting with my surgeon. He took his time and that made me feel very comfortable. I had questions and he answered them where I totally understood.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had researched this surgery for about a year. I just couldn't think of living my life the way I was which was very sad and miserable.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Where I went at St. Vincent's in Cleveland there was only one precedure and that was to be opened through the stomach.

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 was so desperate that I didn't have fear of dying I had more fear of living with obesity. Talk with people who will support you.

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 family was so wonderful before and after surgery. I have an exceptionally close family and they were scared but supportive. I am blessed with that.

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

I told my supervisor and all the people I work with what I was doing. I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to work with. I had people for an entire year ask me at least 3 times a day how I was doing after my surgery when I returned to work. The people were amazed at my progress and was very inquisitive about bariatric surgery. I was on medical leave for 6 weeks.

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 4 days. I didn't bring soap and shampoo and wished I would have. The hospital staff was very kind to me. My mother staying the first night with me was a blessing and I was grateful for her feeding me ice chips and that is something that the nurses don't have time to stand there and do. Where I had surgery they encouraged a family member to stay if that is what I wanted.

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

None

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 just read anything and everything I could about bariatric surgery. I think getting vitamins, protein etc... kept me busy.

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

I was very sore from having open and I wanted to sleep a lot. Coughing really hurt or clearing your throat but other then that I was very fortunate to not have any other issues. I recall not wanting any food or protein drinks and did make mayself do my protein shakes.

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

I didn't have to travel far. I had a fear of how I would get into my father's SUV and I was so worried I would get sick on the ride home. I did fine.

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.

I followed the rules to the Dr's orders. In the first 6 weeks I focused on Protein shakes first and then would have chicken soup (mostly broth). When I went to the puree stage and soft foods I would have soup, cottage cheese, sugar free pudding, and I always was graving tomato juice. I am a picky eater so I limited myself to certain things. It wasn't hard because I didn't want to eat. I later had for breakfast and still do 3 sheets of cinnamon grahm crackers with butter spread on them. I loved salads in the beginning and still eat some salad occasionally. Now 2 years post op I will crave an item and constantly want to eat it until I tire of it. Right now I can't eat enough oysters????

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

In the job I was in at the time I averaged walking at least 3 miles a day and that really helped me. I was very, very tired because of the rapid weight loss and losing weight that fast you lose muscle.

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

I take 2 centrum kids chewable vitamins a day. I take 2 carbonyl iron pills with 2 chewable vitamin C tablets. I take liquid calcium and a B-12 shot once a month.

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?

From my 6th to 8th week I was so very nausiated. It passed and I was fine. I lost quite a bit of hair at the 3 month period and it did start growing back around 7 months.

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

Waiting to have the surgery done. Soreness for the first couple of weeks.

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

I look at the message boards mostely and subscribe to obesityhelp magazine. Support groups are nice but sometimes they can cause issues and people get into clicks etc.... I am very independent.

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

I was happy with my scar and have been fortuanate to have a Tummy Tuck so that scar was replaced with a smoother thinner one.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I really was lucky and didn't have any plateaus. I do notice now if I go up a few pounds it is more because I am not getting in the protein. Protein in my opinion is the key. At 6 months I lost 100 pounds and I feel I was a success because I followed the rules and got my protein in.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I will have men look at me and it doesn't feel right at first and it is like a delayed reaction not believing I was being looked at in a good way. I still feel like the same person just that my weight has changed. I still haven't absorbed it myself.