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

Carnie wilson on tv january 2003. Oh my goodness I have to have this !!!!

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

I first had cigna.... a year later still not approved. They have you jump through hoops, then tell you it's not enough. I then got bcbsnc....approved within 2 weeks.

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

He was so nice, and helpful. Be prepared for a life style change in every aspect of your life. I had to quit smoking before he'd agree to do the surgery. You have to start exercising,making different choices in foods and beverages.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted to live.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

my doctor helped me decide which surgery was best for meeting my goal

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 said to myself,my family and my friends, and now I say it to you... I was going to be set free one way or the other... I was going to be thin or I was going to be home with Jesus. I couldn't live like this anymore.

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 parents said I could lose it on my own ( even though I was Fat my whole life, right?) But afterwards everybody is supportive in everyway.

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

They too are so supportive. I am on Medical leave still ( my surgery was just last Tuesday 3/30/04 ) I will return after a 3 week leave.

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

It was okay. I only spent 2 nights. I went in tuesday 10am surgery I was home in MY bed thursday @ 10am. You really don't need anything I took family pictures just to feel like home and my husband.

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

The only thing that happened was I had to wear oxygen when I slept. My oxyygen levels dropped to the 70's while I slept.

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 cried and sent Thank you notes to every one I knew for all they have ever done for me.

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

I was never hungry. I really didn't get hungry until almost 6 months out. I had to force myself to even drink the protein drinks, I stayed full! Even when I started eating solid food, one bite I was full.

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

12 miles or so

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.

Like I said I never was hungry. I did eat literally a bite of yoplait yogurt, scrambled eggs, gordon's grill select fish, grapes. Then I started eating watermelon! (This is why my hair fell out I wouldn't eat protein, I ate mostly watermelon from months 2-6) Now 2 1/2 years out I still can only eat half of a sandwich. One or two spoons of rice (at most), same for potatoes. I don't tolorate pork chops, at all. Spagetti is tolorated seriously "every other time", this time it might stay down, tomorrow it'll come up. My taste buds definately changed!Alot of the foods I used to love, now I can't stand.

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

my surgery was 3/30/04 I walked into church sunday 4/4/04

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

2 flintstone kids chewable

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?

Hair loss - I still have it sometimes, when I don't eat enough protein. Nausea and vomiting weren't really a problem for me, but I didn't force myself to eat. I only eat when hungry, I spit out whatever is in my mouth the second I feel full, because I know if I swallow even that last bite... I will be sick.

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

Having the drain removed on discharge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!On a scale of 1-10 for pain it was probably a 1000!!!!!

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

I quit going to the support group, I find it's better for me to talk with people on a one on one basis.... someone who wants to have the surgery, and also people I encounter who has had it.

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

I have 5 little scars, very small. I expected it to be a lot worse.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

You know what everyone is different. I lost 20 lbs a month for like the first 6 months, then it stopped, then I started back dropping weight but at a slower rate. Even now I still will drop weight every once in awhile, for no reason.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES!!!! Big pet peeve!!! Everyone treats you different! I have friends who used to like me when I was big, don't like me because I'm smaller than them. Guys who made fun of me, ask me out. People who ignored me on the daily, act like we're best friends. Job opportunities are more open now.