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

OnLine and Carnie Wilson. First impressions were that I wasn't enough overweight, to qualify for surgery.

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

Have complete info, because if it isn't complete, it only adds time and frustration to your approval time.

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

To the point. Bring a written list of questions, because in the course of a conversation, you can get side-tracked.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Sick of not liking what I saw in the mirror. Sick of feeling like crap.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Wanted it to be for forever. Wanted it to really work.

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?

To be truthful, I never dealt with that. I pushed it to the back of my mind and ignored it. As far as complications, it's to be expected. You're going to be sore. You're going to question why you did this to yourself. Look to the future. Don't dwell on the here and now. It'll get better. Don't expect instant results or perfection. We didn't enter this perfect. We won't be a reed-thin model, when we're done.

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 acted as though they knew all about it, when they knew nothing. I listened to them with half an ear and toned out most of the gibberish that I heard. They weren't supportive nor non-supportive. I live 3000 miles from them. My friends and hubby were my support.

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

My employer was selfish and didn't want me off work for that long. He could have cared less. I just told him,"I'm taking a month off. Here are the dates." I didn't ask. I didn't need his approval and didn't want his opinion. I was out for a month.

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

I was bored! Bring a good book. Use that telephone. Take naps, if you need them. Walk, walk, walk. I was there for 5 days. I was more than ready to get out of there! Keep yourself occupied. If you like crossword puzzles, bring some. You need something to do to pass the time. That was the worst thing for me.

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

No complications. I have a high pain tolerance. Never really hurt; just was sore.

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 always tired; sleepy. Not much anxiety. Slept a lot. Felt like I was melting; the weight came off so fast. That's why you need to sleep so much. Your body thinks it's starving. Not much pain, for me. Just sore. Didn't move very fast. After 2 weeks, was ready to go back to my desk job with Medicare. Dr. made me wait a month.

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

Soreness. Throw up a lot. Why did I do this to myself? Why isn't the weight coming off faster. Why do I sleep all the time. Why is my hair falling out? Will this awful scar ever go away?

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

Over 100 miles. The ride home wasn't fun. Hubby brought a bunch of pillows, a blanket and a stool, to help me get up into our pickup. Every bump was felt! LOL

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 cannot and never will be able to have more than a bite or two of meat, chicken or fish. Nothing greasy. For a while, no dairy products. Now can have them. Crave fruits and veggies. Hate taking vitamins. Found a great-tasting protein drink. Things still change, all the time. I have to listen to my tummy and what it is telling me.

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

Not much! LOL Should have walked more. Wanted to ride my horse but not allowed to.

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

Vitamin B, C, Iron, protein powder shakes. I get my calcium in, because I drink a lot of milk and eat a lot of cheese.

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?

Still hate the nausea and vomiting. No sleep disturbance. Hair loss freaked me out! Until I realized that it happens to everyone.

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

Negativity from those who couldn't understand why I would want to do that to myself. I'm strong-willed, so have no problem in dealing with those people, but a passive person would possibly have a real problem with those type of people.

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

Truthfully, I can take or leave the group or aftercare. My hubby is my best support and I look in the mirror and say,"Ya look good today, girl!"

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

Almost unnoticable. Can barely see it, and I had Open surgery. I'm amazed and pleased. I never used any special cremes or anything on it. It just healed very nicely.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I didn't do much plateauing, except when I was near the end of my weight loss, so didn't expect to lose any more, anyway. I'm below my goal weight, so am totally happy, anyway.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Thinner people are always treated better. Unfair, but true. It's like,"Wow, you're really smart now!" I'm taken more seriously. I'm respected more. It's caused me to be very conscious of how I treat heavier persons. I want to show decency and respect, and most importantly, look them in the eye.