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

A couple of my customers had the surgery and I looked into it. It was scary - but a last and final resort.

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

My insurance was very specific. 100 pounds overweight. I qualified and they paid. No problem.

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

We had a mutual friend so the first visit was good. Dr. Mirande is very good at what he does and is quite nice. I like him a lot.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Looking in the mirror just about knocked me over!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I really only heard of the RNY and so I didn't have to make a choice

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 a firm believer that the Lord will take me in His time. I do not worry about the day, time or place. I was more worried about the pain - which there was very little of.

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 said he liked me any way. I really didn't like him saying that because it seemed to me that he didn't feel the pain I had from being so big. My sister was supportive but worried. We watched the surgical procedure on tv about a month before my surgery and she learned more that she was fine with it. My kids - I don't think they really cared one way or the other. But now they are impressed with how I look! Everyone is very supportive now. Especially when we eat - they share a bite with me!

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

I am self employed. My husband and my son work for me and did my work while I was out. I didn't really get back into the swing of things for about 1 month. I could have sooner - but chose not to.

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 4 days. Bring comfortable clothes to go home in!

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

The only complication I had was with my throat. The tube that was inserted for anesthesia put a tear in the back of my throat. It hurt like the dickens - but took my mind off of my stomach! It took a couple of weeks to heal - and the throat doctor said that it happens about 1 in 1000. I am just so lucky!

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 very nervous and excited at the same time. I was scared of needles and everything that was associated with it. I prayed a lot and asked my friends to pray for me. I was so calm when I was being prepped. My surgery was on 9-11 and right after being prepped, the World Trade Centers were hit by the airplanes. The focus was taken from me, which was good, but everyone was quite sad and scared. That was unfortunate. All surgeries after mine were postponed for a few days. I thought I had dreamt about the planes - but when I came out of recovery, it was all over the news.

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

The first few weeks were slow. Slow moving, slow eating, slow lifestyle. Which does not fit into my lifestyle! So it was hard to slowdown. I rested and caught up on books, tv and just lazing around. But I was ready to get back going about 1 and 1/2 weeks post op.

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

I had my surgery at our local hospital

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.

After surgery the little bit of "blue" water tasted great.... then the jello was heavenly... then I was able to eat baby food and liquified food - that was nasty.... but by then I was ready for FOOD. I have learned at this point - 6 months post op - that you must eat slowly and little bites. I cannot eat bread - but I can eat crackers, I cannot eat red meat (hamburgers, steak), but I can eat stew - figure that out??? I have really gotten to like fish - not breaded but any other type. The main thing I have learned is to try something. I can usually tell right off if it isn't going to work. Sometimes I blow it and think I can eat something that my brain is telling me not to... well, I end up spitting it up in the bathroom. But even that has its advantages - because the hurt doesn't last long!

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

Days after surgery - slow weeks after surgery - not as slow months after surgery - high

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

I take a vitamin B-12 shot monthly I eat children's vitamins - they are actually quite tasty Take an iron pill and 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?

My hair loss is the most traumatic for me. I have thick hair - so for the most part no one can even tell except me. The nausea is almost non existent except when I eat something I shouldn't. The dumping is really nasty. I thought I could have a tiny rootbeer float - and I mean tiny - about three swallows - but my stomach didn't agree and within minutes I had the worst case of flu symptoms you can imagine. Sugar doesn't agree with me at all.

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

Forgetting to slow down, forgetting that I can't eat like I used to. The surgery was only a few weeks of inconvenience. The way I feel today and how people look at me - I would do it all over again if I had to.

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

I just talk to others that have been through the surgery. The support group I was going to only seemed to focus on those patients that were preparing for surgery. Family and friends are your best support group because they will help you to maintain your weight!

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

My scars are very small. Hopefully they will disappear or just look like a wrinkle!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Sometimes I feel really great and other times my brain is telling me that I am still fat! I have to take a lot of photos to remind myself that I am not. Shopping helps - especially when you fit into a smaller size for the first time!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. People seem more respectful and nice to me. They like what they are seeing and are nicer to me.