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 even bother the second time around. It was excluded 10 different ways in my company policy. I was self pay. Patience isn't one of my virtues so waiting to switch insurances then fight the good fight wasn't an option.

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

It was un-eventful. By the time I actually saw a surgeon, I had done so much research, that I was VERY ready. I immediately felt comfortable with the practice and the dr. Their success numbers were also very good.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was at a mall with my 3yo daughter, she ran from me and I couldn't catch her. She disapeared from site. I was so scared and humiliated at being in such poor condition and decided the time was wasting and too short for me to go on another "conventional diet".

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

RNY seemed like the GOLD standard at the time. It was mostly between that and the LAP band. I was a "lightweight" starting at only 262 (felt like 362), so the lap band was a consideration, but reading post about poeple who only lost have of their weight and wanting revisions to RNY changed my mind. I felt like the RNY was more of a committment. I was ready for that committment. DS/BPD seemed like a more risky surgery long term and I wanted to be as safe as possible.

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?

Believe it or not, my worse fear was being "aware" during the surgery. I've always been somewhat resistant to anesthesia and was afraid that I'd feel every cut and staple. I communicated this to the surgical team and I guess they handeled it just fine. I was also afraid of post-op pain, as I'm a "pain wuss", but it was more than managable. I've had menstral cramps that were worse.

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?

Everyone was great. My mother flew in from out of town to help out. I was very lucky in this regard as I've heard some horror stories about family reactions.

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

I didn't tell them.

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

The hospital staff was "the bomb". They were attentive and caring. I and they knew EXACTLY what they were doing. As for what to bring, chapstick, feminine protection and something to wear home. Anything else would have been a waste. I was in the hospital for two days, but I felt like I could have been outpatient.

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

Not one.

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 had surgery on Wed. 3/12 and returned to work Mon. 3/17. I never had any depression or regret. It's was hard sometimes adjusting to eating less than my head though I should, but I was ready for it. Mentally, I was 100% ready for this surgery.

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

I was tired for about 6 weeks, but it got gradually better during that time. Everyone is very different, so I don't want to set expectations that everyone will have it easy like I did, but it was really non-eventful for me. After a couple of months, I would forget I even had the surgery until I started on a meal and got stuffed after a couple of bites.

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

About 15 miles from my home for surgery and follow-up.

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.

I do dump on really sweet things, but my taste haven't really changed. I started off with one week clear liquids, then moved to soft foods from there. Bread and bread products stick in my chest something awful so I avoid it. Other than that, My volumn level has slightly increased from about 2 tablespoons of food (such as refried beans or scrambled eggs) at about two weeks post op, to about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of soft foods and still only about 4-5 regular bites of a complete solid like chicken or pork.

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

I do exercise regularly, but didn't really start until July 2003 (4 months post-op). To be honest, I'm still trying to find my exercise grove, meaning that it's still a struggle to get moving, but I am still working on it.

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

I take a combination of One-A-Day Weight Smart and a otc pre-natal vitamin. I also take Twinlabs Calcium Wafers or Citracal tablets and sublingal B-12.

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?

Unfortunately, I'm am more unaware of my body than I should be, but I didn't have some minor hair loss (didn't have much to begin with anyway). I do dumb occasionally, but not much and have only vomited twice. I've really had a very complication free journey.

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

Online support is great. The Dr. support groups are just too far and to early in the evening for me to make it.

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

I had Laproscopic procedure, so my scars are minimal. More like six puncture wonds. Please click here or copy and paste to see a picture of my scars. http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=3124489&uid=1629558

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I call myself the plateau queen. I was on plateau virtually every other month since I had this surgery. It was really frustrating until I got the pattern. First month, I lost about 30lbs, second month, I only lost about 6. Third month, about 15lbs, fourth month only about 5lbs. This has continued on and by month six, I got the point and just went with the flow and kept doing what I though was okay.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

A little. More doors held open, everyone is commenting, but I don't think I was quite large enough to be treated badly to begin with.