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

I first found out about bariatric surgery by Carnie Wilson's book. I didn't want to spend the money on it so I went to the book store and scanned it for an hour. She was the first person I had ever heard of talk about it. I think I learned about ObesityHelp.com from her book. I'm not sure. But after visiting the bulletin boards, the good, the bad and the ugly about it, I still was interested. Knowledge is power.

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

If your insurance company covers weight loss surgery, it all depends on the person sending in your paperwork as to how long it takes. Luckily, I had a wonderful person, Pam, who works for the hospital and with my surgeon to submit the paperwork. She makes sure she has everything before submitting. That way, you're not going back and forth with one thing more and one thing more before approval. Also when getting a psychological profile done, if that is required, make sure that you are using someone that is familiar with the procedure and the required recommendation format.

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

I first met Dr. Kim at a seminar. He does not charge people for the seminars unlike some surgeons. Some people must pay $200-$300 to attend a session where if they have the surgery, it is deducted from the costs. That alone impressed me. Then his warmth and dedication came through loud and clear. I asked any question that came to mind. He willingly talked about the danger as well as the benefits. My husband was filling my paperwork out as he spoke. We had already decided to try to get approved. After all, for the first time, I had some hope of letting the slender, healthy woman out from inside my morbidly obese body.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

ObesityHelp.com was the deciding factor. It gave me more answers than my surgeon could have had the time for. I got to read about the men and women that have already had the surgery. Yes, some of them had problems with the surgery. These same people may have had more problems if they had not had the surgery. The only thing I was afraid of was dying. But I was already more dead than alive, because I wasn't living. I was existing but not living.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon primarily did Laparoscopic RNY and Open RNY if necessary. I believe in my surgeon. Also I decided

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?

I had the same fears about complications and death that everyone else has. I am not a regular church-going person presently but I used to attend regularly. I believe in God and I believe in a loving God. I feel that the supreme being, God, really has control over what happens to me. So I was laying it all in his hands. After coming to that conclusion, a peacefulness came over me and then I just feared the I.V.!

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 is very, very supportive and curious about WLS. I have a sister-in-law that needs it very badly and if I could afford it, I would pay for it, for her. She has lymphedema in her legs and is miserable. My husband's family for the most part haven't seen me since before my surgery. So they are in for a surprise. Be prepared for family members to look at you like you are sick after you lose weight. They get used to seeing you heavy and then you look and act differently. They are sometimes afraid you will keep on losing until you are gone "poof"!

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

I am a REALTOR and I was able to schedule things around my surgery and recovery. Luckily, my husband had insurance coverage for us since I am an independent contractor. Some people want to tell you the horror stories of someone they know or something they heard. Thank them for the information and forget it. Do your own due diligence.

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

My hospital stay was wonderful. The staff made me feel important and well taken care of. I was there for two nights. The most important things to bring are a fan (the hospital had one for me), mouthwash, lip balm, brush, slippers and sockies. Don't be afraid to ask for a larger gown if you get a skimpy one. I asked for two. One for the front...and one for the back.

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

I didn't really have any complications other than learning how to eat all over again. Eating slower, more often and less. If I forgot one of those things my body reminded me.

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 elated and felt hope for the first time. While I realized that things could go bad, I tried to remain positive and put positive thoughts in my head. I was also eternally grateful for the insurance coverage that my husband's company paid for so I could be reborn.

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

This is a learning time for you. Once you get home you feel good although you may have drainage tubes coming out of you and you are definitely feeling like you have had surgery. But all in all I was extremely surprised that I didn't have more pain and that I didn't get hungry.

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

I didn't have very far to travel at all. Maybe 5-6 miles. I was so lucky to be where I was at that time, and to have the insurance that I had. A few months before I didn't have this insurance and a few months afterward I had different insurance that didn't cover it. So I really think I was meant to see the advertisement for Dr. Kim in the newspaper at that particular moment in time.

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.

Following surgery I had to eat soft foods only. But I still had to get in all the protein that I could. So I turned to puddings, protein drinks, etc. Then I would add one food a week and see how that worked for me. If I could digest and eat that food I'd add it to my diet and then the following week I'd add another food. I cut out all soft drinks and sugar.

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

My activity level after surgery was that I couldn't drive for two weeks afterward so I stayed pretty much at home. Slowly I got active and moving around more and the pounds were slipping away too.

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

I take a daily mutivitamin, a calcium supplement, a B-12 sublingual and an iron supplement.

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

Originally I had aftercare support with my doctor and with friends who had gone through the same surgery. As life became richer for me, I strayed away from aftercare support and began to forget that I had some problems before. I am now actively trying to get back connected to those friends and make sure to maintain my new healthy body.

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

I have 5 little, teeny, weeny scars that you can't even see anymore. I expected more than that so I was pleasantly surprised.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I didn't really have plateau issues or if I did I don't remember. I know that if the scale wasn't moving, I'd increase protein.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

The first thing I had to get used to was men looking AT me. Inside I was the same person but the shell I am in now looks very different. I have a high level job at a real estate company that I'm sure I would never have been offered if I hadn't lost weight. Not that my company is any different from any other company. It's just that I look more energetic and motivational to people.