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

Seeing some of the famous people on TV having it done...I was very impressed with Al Roker's story.

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

I paid cash. My insurance doesn't cover it.

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

Wonderful. He was very supportive, positive and informative. Willing to listen and answer questions that I wrote in my book....Write questions as you think of them. You can get nervous and forget....

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Studying it for several months, interviewing MD's and reading other testimonials....

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr. Webb is a very skilled lap surgeon. I wouldn't have had it anyother way..

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?

No fears from the surgery only fears of dying with obesity and its complications. I feared a heart attack or stroke if I didn't do something about my weight!

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?

They were mostly supportive. I wouldn't have done anything different. They are still supportive. I did it for myself and for no one else...

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

They are all RN's and they were happy for me. I went to work the day I was discharged. I went to my desk and answered my email.....had no trouble at all...

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

Easy hospital stay. I stayed an extra day since I had a hard time waking up from my sedation. Was a bit behind.....Bring a good attitude and a good friend to keep you positive....

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

No complications from surgery....

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

No anxiety only elation and excitement.

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

No real problems. Had a lot of vomiting with different foods, but since there is no bile in the pouch, it wasn't a problem for me. After about 4-5 months the vomiting stopped and now I eat just about anything...Just an adjustment period...

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

9 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.

Followed the protocol to a T regarding the diet progression, from liquis to, soft to pureed to solids. No problems with most foods. Meats were off limits for 5-6 months since it would cause pain and vomiting. But now no problem. No egg substitutes even to this day, but who cares. All restaurants have real eggs, just ask for them! I did not have any dumping problems either. Wish I did, its hard to resist icecream and a candy bar once in a while.

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

Like I said, I went to work on the way home from the hospital. No missed work! My activity level just improved by leaps and bounds. Was walking my five mile walk the following weekend after my surgery....

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

Multi vit twice a day Vit B12 injection once a month Calcium Citrate twice a day Citrucel tablets two in the am and pm Took prevacid for 6 months but finished with it now.

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?

Had occ. vomiting for 4-5 months Had some hair loss not noticable by anyone else from about 3 months out til 6 months out...It came back...

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

Going thru the plateaus. When weight loss stops or slows down.....

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

A monthly meeting at Memorial Hospital which has been wonderful for new and older surgical patients just getting through it.....It is parmount to your success. Just had a two hour speaker (plastic surgeon) who spoke on tummy tucks...which was wonderful for me since Im at that point now....

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

5 tiny 3 cm pink lines. Nearly invisible.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had two plateaus. I have been the same weight now for 8wks. I probably need to increase my protein and drink more water. I know really that I have had too many carbs!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Just more complementary of my looks.