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

I wanted it several years ago, but my Doc back then said I wasn't heavy enough. My current PCP suggested and I burst into tears at the thought it could be a reality. She is great and really treated me like a human being rather than a disease.

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

It didn't need to be approved. I had to do nothing. Medicare does not require pre-approval.

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

It was great. The best advise I can give is to make a list of questions...and then DO ask them. No questions are too stupid and you may be surprised by the answer you get. Be honest about everything and tell the doctor everything.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I am tired of feeling like a ticking time bomb that is ready to explode. I hurt all the time..hurts to sit, hurts to lay down, hurts to walk. The emotional pain is sometimes unbarable. It is now or never. I may die trying, but I will die anyways. I would rather go out being brave than to be hoisted out in a piano box.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted a porceedure that would be very radical. If given an inch, I WILL take a foot. I want this weight off and if I cheat, I want to pay the price so I won't do it again.

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?

We all have fears..and they are very real for us. It is best to ask about the fears and have them put to rest rather than worry needlessly. The biggest worry I have right now is that it won't work for me. But I keep telling myself it will...if I want it to.

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 am still a pre-op. My family is leary of me taking such a radical step, but they are supporting my descision because I feel it is the right thing for me to do.

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

Not working.

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

My hospital stay in NO WAY reflects on Dr. Harrington. My hospital stay was a nightmare. I was in recovery for 6 hours...4 on the vent. I was awake and panicing. They didn't even console me...nothing. They just let me lay there and gag and cry out of terror. Once up on the floor, I went right back to sleep. The next day was horrible. They told me I didn't need to do the breathing thingie and I did not have to get out of bed. They let my jell-o and juice sit just out of reach and told me I couldn't have it. It wasn't until the next shift came that all of that changed. I was made to breath, walk and all the juice I could get in me. Joyce Jones was a real inspiration and because of her, the nightmare was over. I was released the next day.

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

Nope...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?

Once I woke up the following morning there was no pain at all. I was up and walking at Wal-Mart 4 days after I got home...not even 1 week post-op. The only anxiety I have had was if the surgery would work or not. So far, so good!

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

I had no problems at all. I was very tired and required frequent naps, but no pain at all. I was able to keep everything down, no nausea, no vomiting...nothing. I had the LAP which is really great!

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

1 & 1/2 hours. It didn't affect my aftercare at all.

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 hasn't sat right was the broccoli. Otherwise, I have been eating low-fat cottage cheese, yogurt without the fruit, fresh fruit, cheddar cheese, tuna with light mayo, spinach, an egg, sugar free jell-o, sugar-free puddings, Crystal Light, Skim Milk and Juicy Juice juices.

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

Higher than it has been in a while. I went somewhere almost every day. I went to Wal-Mart, the grocery store..etc...and that was just the first 3 weeks!

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

2 Flintstones chewables...1 with iron and 1 with calcium, B-6 & 12 & Zinc.

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?

The only thing I have noticed is my hair is falling out. I accept it because I can replace the hair...not my life.

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

Getting full so fast. I like large quanities of food....that stopped really fast!

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

I am on 2 really great online supportgroups; [email protected] and [email protected]. I am on a couple of others, but mostly lurk. St. Marys has a great monthly support group...Forever Thin which is on the 2nd thursday of each month in the North Building. This is very important and extrememly helpful!

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

I have 6 very small scars that are doing just fine. I had an incident with a seroma that weirded me out a tad, but they are fine. I heal well and scars tend to disappear so I have high hopes.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None so far.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet.