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

I had heard that Carney Wilson was having the procedure and I became interested from her story. At my first impression I thought I don't think I can handle having my tummy cut open and go thru all that pain. But then when I got to before and after pictures, I decided it might be worth it. My health is the ultimate reason why I am considereing this procedure.

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

First try was with Trigon Healthkeepers, (HMO), I was denied. From there I decided I was going to find an insurance company that would pay for the procedure. I am now covered by BC/BS PPO and have not attempted approval yet. My consultation is 3-16-01, so that is when the Dr. will send for approval. The Monday following my first consultation, my paperwork was faxed to BC/BS and that same day, I was approved. How great!

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

My first impression of Dr. Clark was that he is truely a caring person. He is concerned about helping overweight people and he is very sincere. I am so glad I chose him!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I have been researching wls for over a year now and I have come to the conclusion that my health is most important. If I do not go ahead and have this procedure, I will not be to do a lot of things while I am young.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I have researched all the procedures. For a time I was dead set on one particular procedure, but one night while researching on the internet, I found a site that said all the danger of this one particular surgery. I got scared and said forget it. I feel that once I meet with my surgeon, I will know a little more about his thoughts and feelings on the procedures and be able to decide from there. I researched every different procedure and educated myself as much as possible, afterall, this is a life-changing decision.

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 am not afraid to die. God has a time for me and it just might be on the operating table, I do not know that, it is in His hands. But, I am afraid of getting a nosocomal infection. I am also afraid of the entire lifestyle change that I am going to have make in order for this to work. I can not eat like I used to and I think that will be a very big challenge. Of course I am afraid of the pain I have read that some people go thru.

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 are saying that I have no will power and that I can loose the weight on my own if I just tried. They also make comments like, "I heard some people have died from that" They do not think it is a good idea, but they have not been willing to read and research like I have. This decision is mine, it is for me and not them and I know they support me, but I know they do not like the idea. My husband was very opposed to me having the procedure, but at the same time, he was ignorant to the procedure, so I didn't pay him much attention.

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

I have not said anything to my employer/supervisor yet. I want to take this step by step and meeet the Dr. first and make sure this surgery is definately for me. Once I told my employer, they were very supportive. I did not have any trouble taking the time off. In the state of Virginia, they have a law called Family Medical Leave Act which allows 12 weeks off in a calendar year for medical necessity, and protects my job. I was out of work for 5 weeks.

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

I got along just fine. The staff was great. The only thing was that I was put back together with surgical tape (not stitches on the outside) and when one of the nurses changed my bandage, she pulled off one of the strips which left a wider scar. I am mad about that as the rest of my scar is beautiful. Just bring an outfit to come home in. I didn't need anything in the hospital.

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

the only complication I had was constipation. I used colace, which didn't work and then I started taking herb-lax made by Shaklee, this was a dream come true. It worked and I have not had any problems since. You can purchase herb-lax @ www.shaklee.net/luv4u

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

Tired, week. I struggled with the fact that I could not eat. The way I overcame that was to cook and cook and cook for my husband. He found some of the weight I lost. :)

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

Expect to have no energy and to be very tired. Expect to obsess about food and possibly have dreams about food.

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

30miles. I lived in Virginia Beach and the hospital was in Newport News (across the water)

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.

Could not eat salads, carrots, pickles, meat, but as time went by, I was able to tolerate them. You MUST chew your food until it almost turns to mush, just so you won't get sick from it getting stuck.

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

No activity. Did not have the energy. Tried walking to the mailbox, but it was hard. As time went by, I did get stronger.

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

Shaklee Basics, soy protein, and b-complex. I was surprised how much they helped. I gained strength and energy from them. I would recommend them to everyone!! You can purchase them at www.shaklee.net/luv4u

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?

I got sick only a couple of times and that was because I did not chew my food properly. My biggest side effect was constipation. I overcame that with herb-lax from shaklee. www.shaklee.net/luv4u

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

PHOSPH-SODA, the colon cleanse prior to surgery. YUK!!!!!!!

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

Dr. Clark has a support group. I almost met other people at my job that had the surgery, so I asked them lots of questions.

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

It looks great. Except for the bottom inch, this is where the nurse accidentally pulled off the surgical tape and did not feel it necessary to replace it. I do not look like a zipper, which is great!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Have not been aware of any, as 8 months post-op, I got pregnant.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I notice I get more looks. I dress different and now have some confidence. I notice that I am included in more than when I was obese.