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

Of course you hear about the high profile stars who had the surgery - that's unavoidable these days. And I thought, "That's something only rich people are going to be able to do."

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

I didn't really seriously consider the surgery until I got a recommendation from my regular doctor, saw the bariatric program director and was approved through my insurance. Once I was approved, it became VERY REAL. I never thought in a million years that insurance would cover my surgery so I didn't get my hopes up. My husdband is active duty military and we have TriCare insurance. No offense to TriCare, but they are NOTORIOUS throughout the medical community as being high maintenance and slow payers. But when I was approved, I thought to myself, "Hey, this could really happen!!"

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

I only had one quick visit with my actual surgeon. All of the "foot work" was done by his P.A. She was WONDERFUL!! My first visit with her was very emotional. She asked me some pretty difficult questions - the most difficult being, "Why do you want to have this surgery?" My answer, through many tears was, "So that I can see my daughter grow up and to get my life back." You can get the most out of this meeting by being HONEST about your eating habits, your emotions and your motivations. If you aren't being truthful, you won't help yourself in the long run. Don't tell them what you think they want to hear. You are obese for a reason!! If you eat a bag of Oreos for breakfast - TELL THEM!! But don't fool yourself and don't try and fool them. I have to admit that it is humbling telling them what I ate every day. But it is the only way to help you after the surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I hit 292 lbs. and couldn't fit into chairs, on rides with my daughter and my nephews and couldn't climb stairs without huffing and puffing. I was always known as "Fun Aunt Laurie" and I wasn't fun anymore. I couldn't run with the kids or play ball or go down the water slides with them anymore. I wasn't me and I used to like the old me. I wanted my life back!!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My suregeon told me of the procedures he performed and I researched on the internet and asked the advise of my P.A. as to which was best for me.

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?

The fears are VERY real. I am not going to sugar-coat this - the surgery is NOTHING - you're asleep the whole time! But when I woke up from surgery with that gastric tube in my throat, I thought I was going to die. I had complications where nothing went through the stomach and all of that "gunk" started backing up into my throat, up my nose and in my lungs. For a couple of hours, I was literally drowning in my own fluids. I was terrified!! My advise to people is to know what you are getting into. You will never be the same again (good or bad). If you are doing this for vanity, think again. If you are doing this to save your own life - then go for it and hang on for the ride!

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 friends and family were very concerned. They just thought, "Well, eat less and you'll lose weight." None of them struggle with weight like I do so they didn't understand. But the closer it got, the more questions they asked and the more they learned, the more they supported my decision. Since the surgery, they have been VERY supportive.

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

My stay was too long - I wanted to go home and sleep in my own bed. I was there for 6 days and in ICU for 3 of those days. The most important thing to bring for me was my own pillow and a robe so you don't have to "hang out" when you go for a walk.

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

Yes, I had complications. My new little pouch didn't want to empty so I vomited and "backed up" quite a bit those first few weeks. Then at about 6 weeks post-op, I was re-hospitalized with mini ulcers in my new stomach. They hydrated me, put me on some Protonix and I have been better ever since.

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 physically felt OK. I was tired a lot and couldn't take in much nutrition, but I dealt with that slowly and got lots of sleep. Emotionally was a different story! I felt that I should be progressing much more quickly and that I should feel better sooner. But I had complications that set me back and I had to deal with them. I was also put on an anti-anxiety medication called Lexapro that helped.

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

I was a little stir crazy. The weather was bad so my walks were very short and very tentative on the Nebraska ice! You should expect depression, let down and disappointment. Even though you know better, you think you should come home from the hospital and look different. YOU DON'T!!! It takes time and A LOT of work to make the weightloss begin and continue. But the feelings are all normal!

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

I was lucky to have a surgeon in my home-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.

Immediately after surgery, I could only take in an oz. of Carnation Instant Breakfast every hour. It took a long time for that to go through. I ate only that for the first 2 weeks. Then I started on a thin paste of tuna or turkey with no fat Miracle Whip in the food processor. YUM! (NOT!!!) :) But eventually I could spread it on a no fat cracker and drink some milk. A month post-op, I was eating food with my own teeth - cheese, turkey, chicken, fish and huge staple - beans. At 2 months I started to introduce canned veggies. I tried some fruits but had to be VERY careful of the sugars!! Today, 8 months post-op, I can eat almost anything, but in very small portions. The things for me that are off limits are steak (too tough), rice (bulks up in my stomach)and ice cream (dumping). But everyone is different. I eat a lot of shell fish, chicken, fish and lean ground beef. I still eat a lot of beans for protein - turkey chili, fat free refried beans, lentil soups, etc. And I am COOKING A LOT! I used to eat out all of the time and now it is a once in a while thing.

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

I walked every day after my surgery just to get out of the house. I am starting to get more active now that I have lost weight and feel better physically and mentally - but not as much as I should. I have to be honest and say that is a constant battle for me.

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

I take a Women's One A Day every day plus chew 2 Tums for calcium.

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 had nausia and vomiting the 1st 6 weeks but that was due to some complications. I have experienced dumping with ice cream - which I will NEVER do again! And I started losing hair at about 5 months post-op. Now at 8 months it has slowed down so I guess I just had to wait it out.

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

The gastric nasal tube right out of surgery. I have a high gag reflex and I was MISERABLE for 3 days!!!

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

Our hospital had a post-op program that was great for me. It is important to know you're not the only one feeling or experiencing things.

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

I had lap done so I have 5 little scars about the size of dimes and nickles on my belly. It is better than I expected after seeing some of the scars from open RNYs!!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I stopped losing weight at about 6 months and have gone 2 months without losing a lb. That's frustrating but it is my body's way of telling me to get moving!!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. Men are looking at me again! YEAH!!!!!