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

I heard of Carnie Wilson's surgery, and asked my primary doctor about it. He was very supportive, as his own mother had it done in San Diego. He told me to get it done, even if I had to mortgage my house. I really didn't do much about it, even at that point, until I talked to the wife of a man I work with, Tammi Hoard. She had been to another doctor in the Phoenix area, and then heard about Dr. Robin Blackstone. She had the surgery 12/21/01, and has lost 144 pounds as of today. She spent two hours on the phone with me, answering questions, and being very frank and upfront about it all. It is because of Tammi that I am where I am today, because I'm sure I would never have done it without her input, support, and love. When I met Tammi, I felt like I'd known her all my life. She even asked Dr. Blackstone and Melissa to take special care of me in surgery, and had me on an innumerable amount of prayer chains.

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

The first meeting was intimidating. I didn't want to say or do anything that might indicate I was a bad candidate. But my doctor was super, and I was at ease immediately. I would say relax, just be yourself. Take a list of questions to ask, because you're going to forget them!!!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My friend Tammi Hoard, who is a member of this site, is the total reason I did the surgery. I had made an appointment with a surgeon, and chickened out. Because God was working in my life, he steered me to Tammi, who was about three months post op at that time. She talked to me on the phone for two hours, and laid aside every fear I had. I made the call the very next day to her surgeon, and the rest is history. Without Tammi, I would not be seven weeks post op today, and probably would have gained another 20 pounds, and still been miserable. I owe Tammi and Dr. Blackstone my very life.

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

The stay in the hospital was like being in a suite. I had mine done at Scottsdale Shea, and they built a whole wing devoted to bariatric surgery. I was in for three full days. I would take your favorite toothpaste, and such. They ask you to leave all jewelry at home, you won't need it. And we were asked not to bring anything you had to plug in, like curling irons, etc. I guess that goes with your just having had surgery and it doesn't matter if your hair's done!!! Bring slippers, and a robe to cover the back of you, because they make you walk around the nurses' station a lot. A book, if you're into that. Word puzzles, stuff like that.

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

None.

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 great! The very first night I slept through the night for the first time in 10 years. I didn't get up one single time, versus every two hours before. THE VERY FIRST NIGHT! I had open instead of lap, and all it felt like was sore muscles. I mean, God has worked it so that this was as mild and painless as possible. Anxiety is just a fact of life. You worry about money, you worry about your kids, etc. I just dealt with it. I trusted God to make it happen.

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

Boring!!! I wanted to be back at work! Expect a bit of soreness turning over in bed. Expect that you will not be hungry, and smells might bother you. But I was bored! I went back to work at three weeks. Unheard of!

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

50 miles, one way. Lots of miles. I'd drive twice that to feel this good. No aftercare to speak of, other than the monthly visits, and I can do a trip to Scottsdale once a month!

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 could only have jello and broth for the first eight days. My surgeon is a bit pickier than most, I am finding, because they are limiting starches to six months and beyond. No pasta, bread, etc. I have talked to others, from other parts of the country, who are eating pizza. I do not judge anyone. You do what you do. I don't want to eat pizza anymore. I think my entire left hip consists of pizza. I don't want to eat candy, because my other hip consists of candy. I want to put good, wholesome things in my pouch, and I don't want to battle with myself over trying to eat more pizza than I can hold and messing something up. I have this tool to use to change my life. That means eating good, nutritious foods, in moderation. If I could work pizza into that somehow, I'm afraid that it would overshadow the things I need to eat. That is just for me, no one else. I wouldn't mind a little mashed potatoe, or an English Muffin. Maybe a little pasta with some sauce. But it's down the road, not right now.

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

One a day vitamins from Walgreens. Could not even choke down the chewable things from the health food store. Bleecccht!!!

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?

Vomiting, hands down. If I wanted to be bulimic I could have done that without the surgery!!! Living on two teaspoons of yogurt a day is not my idea of life. I called the doctor and got a pill prescribed that cuts down on the mucus in your pouch, thus preventing the frothing. By the second day I was 100% better. Even ate a bit of chicken enchiladas at a party tonight, and it was wonderful. Stayed down too!

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

Losing my drug of choice, my friend.

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

Support group meets once a month, and there's an on line web site. I'm not a "group" person, so going to a support group isn't my style. It's also 50 miles one way to the meeting, which I must miss work for, so it's pretty prohibitive.

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

It's from my bellybutton to my breastbone, and no, it's not what I expected. I had to have open due to some adhesions from an earlier surgery, so I couldn't have the lap. But, it's straight! I think that's because of my female doctor! She knew I wouldn't want a big old purple slash down my stomach!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yeah, they all have to tell me how it looks like I've already lost a bunch of weight. I don't know, because I haven't weighed since surgery, but it's getting kind of freaky. It just freaks me out. I personally can't see it, and for them to insist, and mention it many times a day is freaking me out.