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

I had discussed it with my family doctor over the course of a year or so as my weight was going up and up and up. I was excited about it but also very intimidated by the thought of it.

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

I was approved within 2 days at 100% coverage! No problem at all.

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

It was sort of quick. I did ask my list of questions. He sort of gave me a creepy feeling but I just chalked it up to being nervous. It was a big deal.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted to be the old me. I wanted to wear my old clothes. I wanted to feel sexy and alive and energetic again. And when I found out that my insurance was going to pay for it 100%... I was convinced it was meant to be.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I knew that I would have the lap and not the open. A big scar was not cool with me. So I went with what my surgeon suggested.

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?

Be afraid. Don't think for one minute that this can't go terribly wrong. It all comes down to two things... The surgeon and the hospital. That is what determines how your surgery goes. I found out the hard way. If I had only known what I was in for... and what was going to be done to me... I can say without a doubt I would never have done it. It's not that the WLS is bad... I chose the wrong doctor and he chose the wrong hospital. I went in to it without knowing some things that I wish I'd know before I let him touch me.

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 was very supportive. Except my Daddy. He had a bad feeling about it. I should have listened to him. But after it was done... my husband never left my side. We had no income for months. We are financially devistated. My husbands company upon returning to work suddenly had no hours for him... We had cost the insurance company well over 150,000 and they dropped him like a hot potato. He wasn't fired... But was forced to seek another job.

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

I was out of work from August 6th 2003 until the first week of December 2003

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

It was aweful. I can't tell you how aweful. It was a nightmare

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

Too many to list. All due to unfound blockages. I was so full of infection from five days of nothing but vommiting green stuff. I ended up with multiple complications. Begged for a 2nd opinion. Begged to be transfered to another hospital. It was miserable.

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 still in the hospital and still very sick. I never knew if I was going to make it or not.

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

Expect to be miserable. There's no way around it. But my case is not typical so if you have the procedure done right... your experience will be better than mine.

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

About 30 miles

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.

Mashed potatos for a long while. Now I am 5 months post op and am starting to eat meat last week.

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

Non existant. I was almost dead.

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

Flinstones... Tumms... and Carnation Instant Breakfast

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?

vomiting, sleep disturbance still to this day.

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

My doctor and my hospital

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

I wouldn't step foot in the same room with Dr. Schriver if you paid me to. So, I don't go.

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

Very minimal. Especially since I had to have two surgeries in five days.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None that I know of. I was in the hospital so much I can't really say for sure.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, everyone says I look like my old self! I only have one chin too!