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

Carnie Wilson had it and I remember thinking how desperate that was. Then my business partner had the operation and lost so much weight and it gave her life back to her. After she had it I started to seriously look at having the surgery.

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

I am an independent real estate broker with Coldwell Banker and originally when I started thinking about the surgery seriously I had no insurance. I then looked into obtaining insurance and because of my weight vs. height I was deemed uninsurable. After many months of trying to get insurance I was so unbelievably fortunate to be in my office one day and my office broker overheard me talking about my inability to get insurance. He showed me a plan we have through our corporate office that is a very large group. I happened to get in it right at that time and they covered the operation 100%! It was God! I had prayed and prayed for a way and then I was given this opportunity. Now, the insurance isn't cheap. It costs $436.00 a month for only me but I thank God for it. It's is the best! Oxford Health Plans/First Health Network. I highly recommend it to anyone. No hassles just one time submitted and I had an answer back in 2 hours with an approval. No upfront requirements or tests. Just my doctor requesting that I have the surgery.

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

My first visit to my surgeon was a bit hectic because I went Shands at the University of Florida and it is a very large clinic. Originally I was to see a different surgeon but when I had my psyche exam, I was told if I want to do it laparoscopically to use Dr. Cendan. So, I rescheduled and came back another time. He is a doll! Very up front and informative. He like to tell you everything, good, bad or ugly and makes you feel very informed and at ease. He had great "bedside" manner and I felt I was in good hands when I left. He took the time to answer all of my questions, and I went equipped with a list. I wanted to be as well informed as I could from the start. I would advise anyone who is contemplating this surgery to make a list of their questions and concerns. Discuss them all with your surgeon and make sure you are comfortable with the answers as well as the surgeon himself. Trust in your doctor makes the whole process so much easier.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I weighed 300.8 pounds, I am 44 years old and the aches and pains, not to mention the fact that I was on high blood pressure medicine and a CPAP machine to sllep because I had sleep apnea. I also found out that my liver was on it's way to chirrosis. I was so surprised. I thought that disease was only for alcoholics. Come to find out, obesity is one of five factors that causes chirrosis of the liver.

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

Long! Very long. I was supposed tobe there only 3-5 days and then go home. I ended up in the hospital for 12 long days, but I did get to sit out a hurricane with power! That was the good news. I had complications that caused an infection and they were very cautious not to send me home with the possibility of it getting worse. I think if I were to tell you the most important things to bring, it would be yournormal things like toothpaste, deodorant, CHAPSTICK, house slippers and a very long stick or wooden spoon that you can attach toilet paper to to clean your back end! That was the most challenging thing for me. I was fortunate to have alot of help with the nurses aides, but they can't always be there. Also, bring your favorite soap and cream. That will make you feel so much better after a couple of days to smell and feel fresh. Oh yeah! Your own pillow. That saved me.

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

Yes I did. I ended up having two surgeries one day after the other. My doctor performed the original operation the first day and he did it laparoscopically. The next day I was running a slight fever and had some pains in my side not consistant withthe surgery so they took me down to x-ray. They discovered I had a leak and the barium they made me drink immediately infected my abdomen. I was rushed back into surgery and God Bless my doctor, he was able to go back in and not completely open me up but they had to clean out all of the infection. I ended up in intensive care for 4 days which I hated! Once I got back to my regular floor it was more tolerable. Then the infection caused fluid to build up in my chest wall so I had to have a chest tube put in. No fun there but you have to do what you have to do. My doctors (there was a team as Shands is a teaching hospital)were so competent and they made sure I understood everything. I will say one thing though, YOUHAVE TO BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE! If youare not able you make sure that whoever is there with you understands that you are thepatient and it is yourbody. You ask questions and know what they are doing at all times.

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 was weak for about 3 weeks and then I found everyday I started to gain more and more strength back. It has been 8 weeks now and I am feeling awesome and back to work. Some days I had tears and felt almost like post partum depression. I prayed alot and eventually it all subsided. I was on Paxil which I am sure took some of the edge off. This was a continuing medication I had been on. I didn't go on it for surgery.

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

I am not presently in a support group but wouldlike to find one. I think it is extremely inportant. However having said that, I have my friend who had the surgery and I call her when I need a boost or if I feel discouraged, etc.. I also call her for advice because she is two years out.

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

I had lap so I have 4 very little tiny scars and one larger because of the second surgery.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I lost alot the first three weeks. I was down 32 pounds and now at 8 weeks I am down 51 pounds but for about 3 weeks the scale didn't move. I think my body was adjusting to the fast weight loss.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not different they are just amazed at how I look and how good I feel.