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

I friend had had a RNY and I was amazed at her successes. I knew then that that is what I needed and wanted.

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

I was very fortunate. My insurance (after finally getting the right fax #) approved me in 6 hours. I was astonished!

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

My consult was the consult from hell. I liked Dr. Baker VERY much but didn't like his questions at all. He made me stop and think about what put me in this condition to start with. I am soooo thankful that he did.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

After my husband and I talked it over with Dr. Baker and discussed all the risks, I decided that the risks were minimum compared to the health problems that I was facing with obesity.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I didn't do a whole lot of research on the different types of surgery. Dr. Baker does the RNY and I had faith in him that if this is what he recommended then that is what it would be.

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 risks are there, however minimum. You just have to weigh them as to the life that you are living preop. For me there wasn't really anything to think about. My husband was much more concerned that I was. I just really had a peace about the whole procedure.

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 family is my biggest fans. Especially my husband and Mom. They were both very supportive. My husband was worried however he knew how unhappy I was with myself and he said that if this would make me happy then he was behind me 110%. My Mom had the same reaction. She just wanted to see me happy.

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

Was not working at the time.

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

My stay was a breeze. I had an epidural for 3 days and people were amazed at how well I did. Friends from our local support group would come by for a short visit and said that I looked like I had not even had surgery. Yahoo for epidurals. My stay was for 3 nights. Went home late on the 4th day. My favorite item was the baby powder in my bed. It sure helps in the way the sheets feel.

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

The only complications that I have had is that my stoma keeps narrowing and I have to go and get it stretced about every 4-5 months. It is no biggy at all. I would do it again in a heart beat. Even if it ment having to be stretched once a month.

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 sooooo excited. I would go shopping and look at "NORMAL" size clothes and fantacise about being able to shop in the smaller dept. I had to wait for 9 weeks once approved but I was amazed at how fast the time really went by. I started weaning off the caffine and sweets in order to try and prepare myself.

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

I was really easy for me. I was on a liquid diet for 5 days then a soft diet for 2 weeks. I was not a real problem as I had to make myself eat when it was time. I just didn't have hunger. The hardest part would be to get in the fluids. This is still the only problem I have. Drink, drink, drink!

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

I have to travel about 80 miles on interstate to see my doc. It is fine with me though, that is were the malls are. I do recommend taking a pillow with you to hold on your tummy for the trip home. The bumps in the road do smart. Especially on these BUMPY Arkansas interstates.

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.

Once I was placed on a regular diet, I could try anything I wanted. The only think that I have trouble with now is fried foods and pork. I can do starchy foods like rice and bread but only in moderation. I lived on cream of wheat for the first couple of weeks while on the soft diet.

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

When I got home I wanted to go back to the normal of sitting and eating but thank God, my hubby was here with me. He would make me go outside and walk, walk, walk 3-4 times a day. It would have been really easy to go back to the same old routine but you can't let yourself fall into it. I look at 4-10-01 as my NEW birthday. I got another chance at life, live it to the fullest.

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

I take B Complex vitamins daily, along with 2 Viactive, I occasionally have a protein bar or drink.

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 really had no ill effects from the surgery. Around 3 months, my hair did start to thin a little but nothing severe. My doctor just told me to double up on the vitamins so I did that for about 1 month and by that time it had quit.

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

For me, it was not being able to take my hormones (post hystorectomy) after surgery for 2 weeks. I was told not to due to the likelyhood if bloodclots. The hot sweats were the worst.

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

I am a member of the yahoo WLSARK online support group. They have been a wealth of information and support, before, during and after.

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

My scar as I understand it is extremely small. It is about 4 inches long. No, it is smaller than I thought it would be.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Dont get discouraged, they will pass. I would loose good for about a month and then hit a plateau. I was so afraid that this would be it, I wouldn't loose anymore. Well this would pass, and now 16 month later I still occasionaly loose a few pounds. I am at goal.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Oh yes, people are much friendlier now. It is a shame that people look at the outside of a person instead of the inside.