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

I starting studying it when Carnie Wilson had hers done. A couple of years prior to that, a woman in my neighborhood had it done and when I heard she took 4 weeks off work, I thought - no way! Then when Carnie did it, I started research. My first impression was wow - these people are not going to be able to eat very much for the rest of their lives!

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

I had no problem getting approval. I have been prone to upper respitory infections since my level of activity was so minimal. Sooo I saved my insurer money by having this done. They don't have to pay for lengthy hospital stays now.

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

My 1st meeting was very informative. He went over everything from start to finish. I ended up with 1 question for him - when????? Get the most from this meeting by asking question. Do not be shy! This is a big step and you deserve to know every little thing. ASK!!!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

It was surgery or die. I wanted to see my sons graduate, get married, have children. I wanted to be walked down the isle by one son at the others wedding. I wanted to be able to play with grandkids. I wanted to be intimate with my husband the way we used to be. I wanted... I wanted...

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Only one choice for me - permanent!!!!!!!!! No looking back. Gastric Bypass all the 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?

Of corse there are fears. I have fears when I get in my car in the morning!!! But the fear of facing another 5 years or so with pain and suffering is worse than the pain or complications of wls. The pain in your joints, in your heart when the stares come your way or the pain from the disgust on peoples faces. I wrote a letter to everyone of my family members. Just in case. But if I had died, at least I'd have done so trying to help myself!!!!!

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 supportive but scared. The day before surgery, my son called me from his school counselors office crying because he didn't want me to die. I tried to reassure him as much as I could without making the promise of pulling through. After the surgery, they were all very supportive and were always there if I needed them. Once when I overate, my 19 year old came into the bathroom where I was getting sick and pulled my hair back into a ponytail for me. I thought that was great.

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

My employer was supportive but worried about me being out of the office for an extended period. He researched it also to find out about things and was very shocked at some of the stats. I was very honest with him and he had lived through many hospital stays because of health problems related to obesity. I was our of work for 4 weeks.

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

The hospital was noisy. The hospital I went to was fairly new at this and brought me food that I couldn't eat. I educated them more than they educated me. It was ok though, everything is a learning experience. I was in the hospital for 5 days. I had a fever that wouldn't break. Who knows why. Everything checked out. Bring loose clothes. Bring a pillow to press against your belly on the ride home. Bring some ripped up towel for use in the bathroom for wiping. You won't be able to bend over. Believe me!

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

The only complication I had was when I tried to incorperate new food into my diet. Until I got used to what food I could tolerate, I vomitted all the time. It was alright because I would know that it was too soon to try that food or I could not have it at all.

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 felt nervous, anxious, scared. I talked to everyone so there would be no regrets for them. I eat at my favorite restaurants and didn't pass up dessert. I watch old movies to get to sleep and I worked myself to death to take my mind off it.

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

Expect to be exhausted! No energy. Keep pushing on!!! It will get better. With each day that comes, do 1 more thing, walk 1 more step. Soon you'll be walking around the block in no time flat saying - remember when!

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

I travel about 25 miles. Not as far as some I know!

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.

Eggs - no eggs - ever - never!!!!! They gave me a problem before the surgery - what did I expect after! Violently ill! Sugar. It doesn't like me. At all! In the first months afterword, pork and chicken were off limits. Now, 14 months out, I can eat both of them. I just started eating beef, but I limit it alot.

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

The days after surgery, I walked around the kitchen. After about 1 week, I went to the end of the driveway. By the time 1 month out, I was walking 1 mile. Oh how things change

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

One a Day Women Plus Iron, 2 Tums in the morning 2 Tums before bedtime

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?

dumping was the worst. Pins and needles into you rbody everywhere! Oh I hate to even think about it! It is the worst by far! If I am not careful about the ingredients of food, I can still dump today!

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

The comments from skinny people who know nothing about being obese that I took the easy way out. I fight them tooth and nail and believe me when I say they are sorry they ever picked that battle when i am done with them. I challenge them to go to my hospital and wear a 300lb fat suit for 1 week, have water injested around their heart, have the cartlidge squeezed out from the knees, inject fluid into their feet. An then we shall talk!

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

I have my own support group through this website. People I have met that I keep in touch with. I will meet them all one day. They are from all over the country and we email all day, everyday.

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

I had Lap surgery. I have little puncture holes. Nothing big. I like it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

08/02. My family and I were invited to stay in a cabin in Sauble Beach, Canada. On Lake Huron. We went. I was approaching 2 goal. Losing 100lbs and being 200lbs. I walked miles every day on that beach. We walked to town, up and down the coast. I took a morning walk everyday by myself until I thought I was going to drop to make my goals. When we came home, I HAD NOT LOST A POUND!! NADA ONE!!!! I was soooooo depressed! I quit walking and thought, this is nuts! But, I was soooo busy with activities because of the summer that I didn't notice I was still getting in exercise. Anyway, I weighed myself 1 week later and had dropped 10 lbs.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

WAY DIFFERENT! I won a t-shirt from a band concert the other night and when he asked me what size I wanted and I said medium, the guitar player said - give her a small and make it tight! I thought - buddy, you wouldn't have said that 18 months ago!!!