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

I had been hearing about it in the news and started to research it. I was concerned at first. There has been this type of surgery for years but it was not very successful. But the newer procedures are much more successful.

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 lucky, my surgeon's office sent the request on 10/11 and received approval on 10/12. The stuffest part was when I saw the surgeron on 9/20 he said it would take 3 to 4 weeks from the submittal. On 10/10 I called the insurer and they still had nothing from the surgeon's office, so I got depressed thinking it would be 3 to 4 more weeks. So image my surprise with the call on 10/12 with the approval and surgery date.

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

First visit informative and answered all the outstanding questions I still had after all the early meeting, i.e. support groups, Behavioral Medicine and Nutritionist. Have your questions ready and do not be afraid to ask anything.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Missing out on so much of my life and my son's life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I left that up to my surgeon.

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 weighed to risks of obesity against the risks of surgery and the first scared me more. I knew that my son would be well care for is the worst happened. And the rest I left up to my surgeon and God. And I know that my mom, who I lost in October of 1999 was watching over me. So I was in good hands.

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 was suprised on the positive reactions I got from all I told. I have not kept this a secret from anyone. And I have had the best of support, even from strangers. 3/23/02 Thursday I had my annual review at work, and my manager said that she was very proud of what I had accomplished and that I had made her more aware of the needs of the obese. And that by my sharing experience with everyone has made many things easier, it makes me feel really great to know that my decision to not try to keep this surgery secret was the right decision for me.

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

My employer and my supervisor have been some of my strongest supporter. I let my supervisor know that I was embarked on this journey almost from the start and she let me know that she would do anything to help support my decision. I was out for 5 weeks. If I didn't have a young child at home I could have returned to work within 3 to 4 weeks but I needed to be sure I could still take care of my son at night when I got home. And my employer understood. And since this was approved by my insurance, this fell under my STD and received my regular paid while I was out.

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

My hospial stay was very comfortable, or as comfortable as you can be after surgery. The staff was wonderful. The most important thing was that when I mentioned a special bed that I had when my son was born and how it made getting out of bed easier for obese people, the nurse got someone to talk to me about it and they got that same bed for me. I was very impressed. And now I think they have been using it for other bariatric patients. And the other important thing was I took a large teddy bear that was my son's, so I had a part of him with me, and it help to hold on my belly for comfort.

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

I have had NO complications I keep waiting for something.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

All I felt was relief and anticipation for the new life ahead of me. I did not dwell on the possibilities of complications.

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

Once we found a way to make my recliner higher of the floor, recovery was much easier. You need to follow the food plan you receive and drink and eat slowly and get in as much as you are told to.

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

About 3 miles. I was very lucky to have a wonderful surgeon right in town.

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.

At this time I have not had any problems with the foods I have tried. Will update if this changes. Six months later and I still do not have too many problems with foods. Fish/shrimp probably bother me the most and if I eat to fast.

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

My activity level keeps increasing day by day.

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

Vitamins, B12, Tums for calcium. I have also found a liquid protein that helps me get my protien in everyday. Six months later I find that the most I use is a protein bar to supplement the protein so that I can also eat salads and other vegetables. And continue with the B12, multi vitamin, and I have add zinc and biotin for hair loss. The zinc seems to be working better than anythingelse has.

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?

None so far. The worst thing so far is the hair loss. It has been really bad for about the last 2 months. Luckily I had thick hair to start with. And the loss seems to finally be slowing down. And my hair dresser said she see some new growth starting.

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

The waiting.

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

There is a monthly meeting which I try to attend but sometimes can't because of my son. But a good friend of mine also had this surgery so we support each other.

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

I have 5 small scars. They are what I expected. The only one I was not happy with or expecting is the small one on my neck. In order to have a really good vein for and IV and to draw blood they but one in my neck after I was out. But that is a very small price to pay to be healthier and happier.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None as of yet since I only get weighed once a month or so I have not been aware of any plateaus.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet, but I know I am treating myself better and that makes people react to me in a better way.