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

I found out about bariatric surgery through my pastor. He went through the surgery and was having excellent results. That's when I decided to learn about the surgery. My impression was to go for it as soon as possible. I tried everything else.

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

My surgery was approved within 2 weeks. The only thing they asked for was a weight history for the past 5 years. Believe me I had to do some digging on that part. Some doctors don't take patients weight when they come in for a visit.

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

My doctor was very knowledgeable and said I was a canidate on the spot because of my sleep apnea.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted the surgery after I was approved from my insurance company. I've been let down a lot by other means but this lifted my spirits.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My doctor decided for me because of my eating habits. I had the RNY.

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 was afraid I would not wake up from the surgery. I just left everything in the surgeons hands. Also had fear of being in pain after the procedure. If considering surgery, ask for all the pain medication you can get.

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 mother and sisters were against the surgery from the beginning. They said it would not work and was putting my life in jeopardy. My sister-in-law (who is morbidly obese) said it was a waste of time and money. It would not work. That's all I heard. They are not saying that now. I am smaller that any one of them now. Now they are saying it looks like it worked.

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 have a job at the time of surgery.

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

To me the hospital stay was torturous. All the nurses wanted me to do was walk the hallways. I know it was to keep my legs from forming blood clots but those nurses were like drill seargents. I was there for 4 days. I felt like I needed to stay for one more day but I had to go because of insurance. The best thing to bring is loose fitting clothes. Like during the winter, sweat shirt and pants, for the summer, elastic shorts and tee shirt. No button type pants or shorts.

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

Not complications from surgery until after 6 weeks because of the new opening in the stomach. It was trying to close and I had to have it stretched.

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 felt fine. After having other surgeries, I thought this would be the same. Boy was I wrong! This is major surgery and you know it when you wake up. Felt like I was hit by a mack truck. I am more sensitive to pain than I thought.

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

The first words were, what did I do to myself? Why did I do it? Your sitting there, sore, dry mouth, knowing you have to get up and go to the bathroom and it's going to be painful. You go through a depression and crying. It's uncontrolable but will subside. You have all the questions rambling through your head, but in the end you know you did the right thing.

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

I had to go 30 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.

The main food that has been off limits is milk. It really does a number on my stomach. I've been able to tolerate hard cheese and yogart.

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

My activity level was low. I did not want to move around or go anywhere. After 6 weeks, I was the frisk'y kitten.

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

I have taken a multiple vitamin with calcium, iron, and zinc. Also B-12, A&D fish oil, and a vitamin put out by nexxus that does wonders for hair.

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?

The hair lost was the worst until I found Nexxus food supplement. My hair thickened up in 2 months after taking it. I still take it to this day.

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

I would have to say waking up after the surgery. When your promised that you would not wake up in pain and you do. Being strapped and a ventalator down your throat and can't tell anyone your in pain, is something I don't want to happen to anyone else.

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

I was basically on my own after I came home from surgery. My husband went back to work and thought nothing more of it. I have a support group that meets once a month but with living 30 miles away it kind of hard to get back and forth.

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

My scar is about 12 inches long and is sagging right at the waist line. It looks like I have 2 belly buttons instead of one.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

No plateau's at all.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, very much so. Door's are being left open for me by men I don't even know. I don't get the snickers or gasps anymore. I can look up with pride.