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

I have heard of bariatric surgery for many years but thought it was way too severe or drastic for me to try but each time I have lost weight ( which i do lose weight very rapidly) I tend to gain equally fast and then a few extra pounds with it. I have read all of the publicity that a lot of movie stars have received the past couple of years and decided it was what I needed to do......It is very major surgery and there are many risks involved but because I am still in good physical health now is a good time for me to finally fulfill my lifelong dream of being thin.

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

I am private pay......I have no medical insurance but think this surgery is important for me I am using my savings to pay for it.

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

My 1st meeting with my surgeon was a very informative seminar. It was great and anwsered lots of questions I and many others had.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I am just tired of being overeight and i am so afraid that one of these days i will start having health problems because of my obesitiy.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My doctor is the one that decided ....We are hoping for laproscopically but will not know for sure until I am in the operating room.

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 am still nervous about complications......I am scared that something unforseen will happen to me but realistically I feel very confident about the surgery just ........every once in awhile this nagging little voice says to "you are electing to do this, why mess with something that isn't broken?"

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 haven't had my surgery yet

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 2 days.....Merle West Medical Center in Klamath Falls, Oregon is wonderful.....The staff is great!!!!!My stay was so short that I really didn't need any of the items I thought I might need.......The first day was pretty much sleeping and x-rays and the second day was sleeping,x-rays and walking....because of the tubes and IV's the hospital gown was the most comfortable for me.

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

No I was a very routine surgery.

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 felt like I made a big mistake....I was hungry(starving) a little sick to my stomach.......I hated the meds I had to take.........Very anxious and thinking I made a big mistake......But here I am 4 weeks post-op I made it and I am soo glad i did it.......I can hardly wait to get thin.

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

The 1st week home was scarey I kept a journal of my meds......I was uncomfortable but not really in much pain.......But I was hungry......The 2nd week was easier but still had my tubes and staples......adjusting to no food but looking forward to the next step......3rd week.......what a difference.......tubes and staples are gone.......YEAH!!!!!! no more meds orally.......getting to have cream of wheat.....and yes was finally able to sleep in my bed on my stomach.......YIPEE!!!after 21 days of am /pm shots i am thru......:)

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

I had to travel about 100 miles.......takes me about 2 and 1/2 hrs .......no big deal I am thrilled with Dr. Mirande so I can handle the drive..It didn't affect my care what so ever.........

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 1st 2 weeks was clear liquids only.......The next week was still liquids but was able to add the cream soups and other liquids.....if it went up a straw I could have it.........next came pureed......I stuck to yougurts,baby food, cream of wheat and sugar free fudgesicles...and soups.......Now I have been given the green light to eat anything I want.......remebering to chew forever and small portions....I can't stand sugar free jello or posicles.....YUCK! I miss my diet pepsi ........

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

I tried to be as active as possible walking, watering,shopping, slowly adding more activities and for longer periods of time.

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

multi vitamins plus iron and tums with calcium

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?

Sleep was hard in the beginning but I adjusted to that after the 2nd week.......no hair loss yet(thank goodness)....and dumping occured only once I ate some sugar free chocolate covered raisins........(BIG MISTAKE!!!)

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

Having to drinks all of the meds..........The liquid enema.......the stuff in the hospital and then when I came home all of my meds liquid.......I almost cried whenever it was time to do medication.....

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

Support group meetings.......they are very helpful

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

very minimal........going away already after only 4 weeks.......

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet