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

Mostly TV ads - Al Roker and others who had the surgery.

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

The insurance part was easy - it was the psych part. Alot of Psychologist want to treat you first with sessions to help you realize you're fat, you're depressed etc. WELL DUH -- If I lost this weight I'd feel good about myself - The second Dr. agreed and okayed my eval.

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

The office was full - people who looked heavier than me - I still didn't feel WAY overweight yet. The Dr. was straight to the point - told me the risks and was compassionate and said I was a canidate - at that time my BMI was 44. People should come prepared with questions and an understanding of what the surgery is before going - talk to others who have had the surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The cobidities were advancing and multipling - I wanted out of this body!!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I had the RNY because that's what my surgeon did.

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 didn't have fears - just dreaded the pain. You have to trust God and pray. You have to do this for yourself not for others -- YOU are the only person that matters in this decsion.

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 husband wanted me to do what I wanted - he was all for this for me. My brothers were horrified - people died and this was too drastic.

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

Not applicable.

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

Everything went well for the first few days - then it went down hill. I was nausous, threw everything up- they had to put in a IV to feed me. I wa miserable - Stayed 12 days instead of 3-4. Lots of IV's into veins I did not have. You keep hearing about bringing tongs or something to wipe your butt - NO PROBLEM - leave them at home.

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

Yes - I was home for only 2 days- very weak, had a har time breathing, couldn't take meds without throwing them up. Went for my 2 weeks check-up an was thrown back in witha DVT in my left leg- immediately they put in a Greenfield filter. But I had already had a Pulmonary Emboli- spent additional 10 days - IV's, Heparin, Bed rest and then developed erratic heart rate - too fast due to the emboli.Out of 22 days - I was in for 20.

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

My surgery date was so exciting - I marked off the days on the calendar - I was so pumped up.

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

Take it easy - increase your activity gradually- best way is walking. Be on the alert for any warning signs that the doctor told you about. You will not eat very much and you have to take it sloww-- chew, sip thru out the day to get the food in and increase your fluid level.

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

I traveled 2-2 1/2 hours away. It was a Trauma I hospital and was well respected.

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.

Potatoes, rice, bread - all were hard to digest due to the take too much room up. You just have to try each food and see how it agrees WITH you not someone else. Dairy products may bother you - loose stools. It is best to keep a diary of what the foods you ate worked - try them again later.

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

Very weak - since I had complications. Just walk and increase it daily.

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

Flintstone vitamins chewable in the beginning. Now I take 2 Mega vitamins a day - I also try to get in some calium tabs.

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 had them all - but they all went away. Just know they may come- you are not unusual and we all made it thru it on different time schedules. but we're much happier now.

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

Being so confident that everything would go great and being knocked for a loop when I got the complications, especially when I made myself get up the first day and walk alot each day. The fear that my husband went thru -- and the anxiety of not having him there when I was experiencing the heart problems.

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

I went to a Support group meeting twice a monthe for 2 months BEFORE my surgery and then afterwards. When I was 6 months out I became the support leader in my town. It is VERY important to talk to others - it makes you feel like your problems aren't that bad when you learn others had them too-- then we tell you how we got thru them.

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

Slightly pink --almost fading.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have stayed at 142- 152 for a long time-- I guess I'm done. but my loss was steady and I lost 112 lbs.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People keep telling me I'm skinny - I look great, don't lose anymore.