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

I first heard about the surgery,as did a lot of people, from a couple of stars in the world of show business. It really caught my attention but I never thought it was for ordinary people like me until my sis-in-law had it done and after that, neither hell nor half of Georgia could keep me from getting it done

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

My experience was actually quite easy. I fortunately have a doctor whose staff was very well trained and knew exactly what I had to have to turn in my approval request. They waited untill all my T's were crossed and my I's were dotted and then turned in my request. 2 weeks later, I heard from the insurance that I had been approved.

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

I had researched a lot on the surgery so anything on which I had not gotten enough info was on paper for this visit and every question was given answers in laymen's terms. If you are considering this surgery, RESEARCH first then ask questions and listen to your surgeon. He or she is well trained and knows every angle. They won't steer you wrong

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My confidence in my surgeon was probably the bigest factor. But I was determined to get this wonderful tool so I could be healthy again. I also had been having trouble with my type 2 diabetes and was afraid I was awfully clost to becomming insulin dependent.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I just went to Dr. Cook and since his specialty was lap/rny, that was what I opted for. Besides, the lapband was not what I wanted. An old friend of mine had it done but she never lost even 1/2 of the weight she had to lose and I wanted a good chance at loosing what I need to in order to be healthy and feel alive once more.

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 really had no fears. I knew it was the last chance I had to live. I felt I was dying without it and was glad to be given the opportunity and the means to have it done. My days were not filled with any worry except that I may not make it to (not through) the surgery. My faith saw me through it all

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 was very supportive and so were all of my children. My oldest son was afraid he was going to lose his mother, but he still kept his fears to himself till it was all over and he could breathe a sigh of relief. I had one of my sisters-in-law who was very upset about it and I really think she was wishing it would fail. My husband thinks I'm the most awsomely brave person he knows. He, my kids and friends are very supportive and are so very proud of me and help me any way they can. Such as making sure I have time to go to the gym and they make sure that I take vitamins and when we have dinner together, they make sure there is food there that I can eat without it causing me discomfort

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

My company makes seasonal decorations(mostly, that is) and we lay off from mid December to around the first of April. I had my surgery in February and didn't miss any work. My employers were very glad to see the change in me upon returning to work. I think they were more worried about my health than I ever knew until after it was all over. The owner and office staff all come around to talk to me from time to time and knowing they care so much has helped me to strengthen my resolve to do well.

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

I was only in the hospital 2 1/2 days. The staff on that particular floor were the greatest. They helped me and encouraged me at every turn. It was as is I were their only patient. On my first night after surgery, I was helped to get out of bed and to take a walk around the halls. The next day, I was up and around and loved the broth and the sugarfree popsicles. The most important thing I brought (next to my husband) was a toothbrush and toothpaste. the breath was awful but thank God, that problem is gone.

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

I had just one minor complication, which I believe is common, I had an infection in the largest wound site. I was given antibiotics and it was gone within 3 weeks.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

After my surgery, I was able to get around pretty well. I even went shopping every couple of days just to get out of the house. I wasn't able to stay out long at a time but I did enjoy the break from these 4 walls. I was still on my anti-depressant for a few weeks and that helped me cope with most things.

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

The first 3 weeks home, I was tired sometimes but was able to take small walks which consisted of being driven to the shopping centers and walking around sort of pretending to be shopping. I think folks can pretty much expect to be tired yet too bored to lay around, The moving helps healing and most of us want to heal quickly so we can start our journeys in earnest.

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

I only live 20 miles from the hospital and the doctor's office is right across from the hospital so there was no need to make any plans for travel except to enlist the driving skills of my daughter.

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 have not tried any sugars at all. These things are forever taboo for me since sugar was one of the reasons my weight was so high in the first place. I have found that breads( even diet bread) feels as if it is stuck in my pouch and makes me very uncomfortable. I can eat eggs fried in pam and boiled eggs but can't tolerate scrambled. why? I don't know...seems weired to me but that's the way it is. I also can't eat broccoli unless it is cooked extremely soft. I have never been able to eat more than a few bites(2oz.s) of anything at all but this is what I need to get me to my weight goal. I have only set this goal for 199 lbs,since I am not trying to be skinny overnight. That was the wrong thinking that caused me to get frustrated and keep regaining my weight and adding to the gain a few more pounds each time.

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

At firsr, I did some walking but by week 4, I was on the treadmill and walking a mile every day. After that, I added at least 1/2 mile every other week. I am now up to 3 miles and will begin walking 3 1/2 next week. I also returned to work at 8 weeks, the work I do involves a lot of heavy lifting(50 lbs. or more). I have started swimming at least 20 laps a day and am also doing pilates, and dancung. I get outside a lot too. during lunch, I usually go for what I like to refer to as "nature hikes" around the warehouse or inside on rainy days.

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

I take sublingual b-12 and bcomplex vitamins 2 times daily along with biotin once a day. I also take a simtrum complete with iron each day and drink 3 20gram protein shakes everyday

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 experienced nausea and vomiting a few times since surgery. So far, there has been no hair loss and I am praying that I never do experience any. Never any dumping since I totally avoid sugar and plan to never indulge. no sleep problems unless I forget to use my CPAP, which has happened a couple of times. I have had some leg cramping and jerking but it only comes after a very hard workout at the gym. I found that swimming sort of eases the likelyhood of those cramps if I swim after each workout or if I get into the hot tub

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

For me,and I believe I am very lucky for this, the worst part was the waiting for surgery. I was one of those a-typical people who has a very high pain tolerance for pain so there was virtually none. I find that, unlike Miss Scarlett O'Hara, I don't put off till tomorrow what I have to do today, so I don't think about it and just do the necessary things without complaining. Complaining only gets me depressed because people don't seem to want to hear it.

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

my most important support group is my family. They are there for me in a way that no-one else has ever been before. I also enjoy the support group held in my hometown by my surgeon's office. We get to know each other and to compare stories. It also helps me to know that I am not alone in my struggles and am supported by strangers.

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

the scars from the open lap are not bad at all. I bought some maderma and they are fading with regular use. They surely do beat the scar I have from my hysto. My oncologist had to open me from just above the navel to the pubic bone and that is an ugly scar but if it wasn't there, I wouldn't be sitting here typing this information.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have found that I lose about 10 or 12 lbs. and then plateau for a couple of weeks. I think it is because I sometimes forget to drink enough water because when I drink at least a half gallon a day, I lose more quickly.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Everyone treats me differently. I have actually been waited on in stores(the same stores where I couldn't PAY the sales people help before). My friends are all watching me shrink and are very happy for me.even the ones who were against me taking the risk of surgery.