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

I had just had my son. I was home on maternity leave and was viewing Sally Jesse Raphael's "look at me now" talk show. At least 3 out of 5 of the contestants had the surgery done. They looked healthy and happy. I began doing my research after the show. Actually, I first heard about wls after watching Oprah's show many years earlier. The guy that had it done was dying of starvation. He could get enough calories to sustain himself. He was begging the viewers not to have the surgery. I was freaked out because he looked as if he could have died on the stage. I was very young, and I don't know what type of surgery he had.

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

I had no problems getting approved the first time. I had no serious co-morbidities.

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

My surgeon did not have a one-on-one meeting with me. We have always had group meeting. Did not like this at first, but realized he was a very busy man. He was performing four surgeries a day. So taking one day to do most of his office visits were necessary. I can not believe he is not the best at what he does. This is why I trusted him to do my surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I know I wasn't going to loose the weight on my own. I knew the weight would only increase and I had a two year old to run after.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr. Duncan decided. I believe he only does laproscopic procedure. I wouldn't have had it any other way.

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 did not have any fears. i was scared of not having the surgery and getting larger than I was. I was not going to go on anymore diets.

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?

Friends and family were very supportive. I talked to several people on this website for advice and they were very supportive.

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

I did not tell supervisor that I was having wls. I just told him that i was having surgery. I work as a school bus driver, so it was just a matter of having someone cover my route. I was out of work for 6 weeks.

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

I arrived at 6 am and was released the next day around 6pm. The hospital stay was better because I slept most of the time away. You can't drink or eat before or after the surgery so you are going to be more thirst than you have ever been in your life. you'll do whatever you can to create saliva, they gave me some kind of lemon glycerine swabs. sleep helped me get through that painlessly, I did not take anyone with me so I didn't have to try and communicate with my loved ones (I wouldn't have it anyother way). I took a blanket because I nearly froze after having my child at another hospital but it wasn't needed. I brought headphones, and a book. I did not get a chance to wear my gown from home. I really liked the hygiene products that the hospital provided. Wear something easy and loose to put on for discharge. Maybe a dress that buttons for the ladies. men, i don't know.

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

NO!!!! I actually went shopping the night I was discharged from the hospital. My sister drove me and a rich's rep. brought my feather bed to the car. My sister put it on my bed and i swear I have slept like a queen every since. The minor complications came from eatting too soon after the surgery. Gas and Food getting stuck going down my throat-- thought i was gonna die from both episodes (actually had lots of episodes with food getting stuck).

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

After eatting I was very tired. I would feel fine if I did not eat. I did not have much anxiety. Except that I thought I had torn the intestine from my stomache from eatting chicken way too soon after the surgery (about a week after).

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

ajusting to eatting food. I don't believe I was supposed to be eatting food anyway. I am extremely "hard- headed", So i don't think my answer would be relevant to others. But you will definately have to adjust to digesting food in a different manner than normal.

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

20 miles

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 tested every limit given with this surgery-- and i won. i can eat any sugar item, I can drink and eat my meals at the same time. I can eat anything i want. I have never experienced the dumping syndrome; However, I wish I could. The surgery was great for me because it told me to stop eatting, before the surgery i would just eat, eat, eat. Now its considerable less. but i have only lost 70 pounds in eight months (I have plateaued for the last five months). My problem is getting off sugar, and exercising.

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

I did not do much, but not because of the surgery. I did not even have to take much pain killers. the laproscopic surgery provided minimal pain. I lived a very sedentary lifestyle. I was on medical leave from work so I watched tv or sat at the computer most days.

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

none. i am so bad. but i am probably eatting enought to sustain myself. I want to have blood work done to see if i am deficient in certain nutrients.

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 am vomitted some after the surgery. It might have lasted a month. But it was because I was eatting to fast, or the wrong thing (steak, chicken) My idea of processing my foods was to chew it as well as i could.

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

did not have any bad experiences with the process. lucky me.

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

none, and i need it. if i had more support I might be able to follow the program like it is supposed to be done.

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

minimal scars. I can't see them. with the laproscopic procedure this can be expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am in plateau now. I have done nothing about it in 5 months.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

no.