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

I first found out on a television commercial. It was for BTC in Michigan. They were a good group of people!! They sent some info for me to look over and a video to watch and see how the procedure is performed. The thought of the surgery at first made me a little skeptical and a bit scared!! I ended up going elsewhere for the surgery, but the initial reaction to BTC was good. I'm so glad I had it done!! I started at 539lbs and now down to 351!!! I have a long way to go to get to my 170lb goal, but it has already changed my life!!!!

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

My insurance approval was easy. The insurance my husband had at the time covered the surgery for persons 100+ lbs overweight!! In their eyes, being 100+ lbs overweight was medically necessary!! I had Humana/Employer's Health. Originally, they said it could take up to 2-3 months, but they approved me in less than 3 weeks!! If you're having problems with your insurance, keep calling and have your doctor keep calling, I've heard that this works!! Or have your doctor write them a letter explaining why you need the surgery, (any other health problems linking with the weight helps too, like diabetes, sleep apnea, etc.).

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

Bring as much information you can about health problems. Get as many tests possible too!! I had to undergo pulmonary, sleep tests, and lots of bloodwork done so my surgeon could know what to expect with me!! Ask LOTS of questions, there's no such thing as a "dumb" question!! Not when it comes to this or any surgery!!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When two doctors told me at 28 that I may not see my 30th if I didn't lose weight!! I thought to myself, I'm too young to hear about of my death!! I gotta do something!!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The procedure I had, really chose me!! My surgeon said it was the best way for me to go, since I was so heavy!! I had open rny. My pouch is the size of a grape, so I can't overeat, unless I want to get sick!! I also cannot have any refined sugars (sugar, molasses, honey), they will make me sick also!!

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?

When I hear people talking of complications and dying from surgery, I try to reassure them that this surgery isn't different from any surgery. All surgery has these possibilities!! I always ask them, wouldn't you rather go in voluntarily for this surgery, or, have to go for surgery, for example a heart bypass!!!

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?

Some of my family were very against this surgery, they were also scared!! What I did, was educate them on the procedure!! Knowledge is power!! If you can tell them how it's done, what the outcome will be, and that you'd be better off this way then gaining a bunch of weight and having health problems, it helps them. After my surgery, they were all very supportive!! My loving, wonderful husband especially!! They all love to hear updates on my new "total" as some like to call my weight loss!! Support is the main thing to ask from your family and friends!!

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

I didn't work at the time of my surgery!! I didn't work because of my weight!!

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

My stay in the hospital was great!! I was in ICU for 4 days because my oxygen level wouldn't stay up!! The staff was WONDERFUL!! They had special instructions for the patients of my surgeon!! I was in the hospital a total of 6 days!! I brought a lot of things, most didn't even come out of my bag!! If you have sleep apnea, you should bring your cpap machine!! Clothes for discharge day!! That's about all that I used while there!! A pillow from home would've been nice, and my own socks!!

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

The only thing I had was my back hurt really bad. I believe it was from the operating table. That lasted for about a month. I had to go on valium for the pain. I couldn't lay down, sit up, or anything the pain was so bad. I forgot I had a big incision down the front of me!!

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 unfortunately regretted the surgery for about the time my back was hurting!! I got a little depressed, but as I lost the weight and could move around better, that all disappeared!!

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

You really need someone to help with your daily routine (showering, dressing, etc.). You can't exert yourself too much, or you can rip open your incision!! It helps to get someone REALLY close to you, because, it's even hard to wipe after using the bathroom!!

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

My surgeon's office is about 1 1/2 hours from my home. The hospital where the surgery was performed, about 45 minutes!! Aftercare with my surgeon, takes place at his office!! At first, it was hard, because, I had to see him 3 times in 1 month!! But now, I don't have to see him but every 6 months to a year!! He's also supposed to be moving, and when he does, his office is going to be closer!!

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 was on liquids only for about 3 weeks, pureed for about 4 weeks!! I started eating soft foods at 8 weeks!! Solid foods started at 10 weeks!! I can't eat sugars (refined) at all!! For some reason, I can eat any meats right now, but chicken!! I'm still learning to this day some of the foods I can't eat!! Supposed to stay away from carbos as much as possible!! My diet now, is sort of like a diabetic diet!! You really have to read product labels, you'd be suprised what products have sugars in them!!

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

My activities were VERY limited until about 5 weeks after surgery!! My back was hurting so bad, that it hurt to do much of anything!! But after it subsided, I started walking a lot more!! Everything was a lot easier, because, I didn't have all the extra bulk!! Now, at almost 8 months post, I walk at least 1 mile every day!! I've went back to college, and plan to go back to the workforce very soon!!! My husband comments that now he has to keep up with ME!!

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

I take a protein powder that I found from GNC everyday!! I just mix it up in the blender with oj and bananas and some ice cubes!!! You really need to increase you intake of protein!! Also decrease the carbohydrates!! (pasta, bread, potatoes)

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 vomiting was (and still is) the worst!! If you eat something with sugar, you will have "flu-like" symptoms!! It's really awful!! My hair has actually been growing faster since my surgery!! The dumping, oh man, that comes from eating the wrong foods!! I have dumping if I eat spicy foods or something with too much fat!! I was on the toilet what seemed like all night!!

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

Learning how to eat all over again!! Looking at all food labels to make sure you don't eat the wrong things. But, it has also been good, because, you learn to be creative!! You learn how to use spices!! I really had no bad experiences with the surgery process!!

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

We have a support group that meets every last Tuesday of each month!! It's great!! People that are exploring the surgery can come and talk to post-ops and ask questions!! Post-ops can mingle with eachother and share stories, recipes, or even just to gab!! The surgeon will also show up to talk to everyone!! It's at the hospital where the surgery is done, so nobody has an excuse that they don't know where it's at!!

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

My scar goes from just below my bustline, down to just below my bellybutton!! It's pretty much what I expected!! I would much rather have this scar, than the fat that was there before it!! One woman I know said "When I'm walking down the street, people don't whisper, I wonder if she has a scar!"

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I'm having one at the moment actually!! I was told when you have one, increase protein, decrease fats and carbos!!! It seems to work!! But, the weight loss does slow down quite a bit around 6 months post, so don't get discouraged!!!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I get treated VERY differently now!! When you weigh 539lbs, people notice when you walk into a room!! Now, I still may get a couple stares, but nothing like before!! My confidence has went up also, and that helps out a lot when it comes to caring what people say about you!! My family and friends also treat me different!! Instead of being talked about and how they felt about my weight, the shower me with praises and tell me how great I look and want to talk to me all the time and ask what my "totals" are!!