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

I found them at the International Women's Show being held at the Novi Expo Center here in Michigan. My initial impression was that I found the miracle I had been dreaming of my whole life, like it was too good to be true. Now it's a year after my surgery and it's still the dream I waited for and my dream came true.

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

Approval took a long time - that was partially my fault. My insurance required medical records from a doctor indicating my weight problem for at least three years back. I got my current doctor's information and the psych evaluation but I dragged my feet about getting my former doctor's documentation. I guess I was just scared that they would acutally say yes. My advice is to get ALL of the information you can. Any doctor you've ever seen for a problem that could be either weight-related or your weight makes the problem worse. Stay in contact with the insurance company. Stay in contact with who's submitting the documentation in your doctor's office.

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

My first visit was very routine. Dr. B explained the procedure, it's complications, benefits, etc. He answered any questions I had. You can get the most out of this meeting if you have an idea of the surgery itself before you go in. You can follow him a little better and you should be prepared to ask questions. Write them down before you go in - if you don't, I can almost guarantee you, you will forget something!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Really, before I went to see the doctor, I had already decided I wanted to do this. I went to a medical library and researched studies that were done on this surgery - the data looked great. It was that information combined with my surgeon's experience and talking with the patient counselor that helped me to be confident in my decision. Then there's that gut feeling, or woman's intuition, that just told me that it was right. It has yet to steer me in the wrong direction.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I didn't really - the doctor knew what procedure he would perform. He described it in complete detail.

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 know that any time you put a knife to a person's skin, there's a risk. The medical documentation, the studies, that I saw, helped to alleviate those fears I might have had. I recommend that anyone having those fears should: 1. talk to their surgeon 2. go to your local library or hospital to research these medical studies 3. go to a support group meeting with others who have had the surgery and talk with them about your fears - many there have had the same. I guess, for me, I was so confident in my surgeon and my decision, I didn't allow fear to enter the picture.

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?

99% percent of my family and friends were very supportive. I think communication is the key to their support. The more information they have, the less worried they will be. They all appreciated the fact that this is a BIG decision and it was MINE to make. I had one friend that didn't agree with my decision, but said she would support me anyway. Since the surgery, they've been incredible. When they plan parties, they make sure there's always something there for me to eat, even if they make some of the full-fat/tons-of-sugar stuff too. We don't go to buffets anymore for dinner - they know it's a waste of money for me. They constantly compliment me on my new figure - that's still constantly changing. One friend did start to have a problem with me talking about my weight loss - she's chubby too and felt a little put off by it. So, I just make sure that I talk about it when she brings it up. She's still the best friend a girl could ask for.

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

I was off of work for seven weeks - including the week of my surgery. I didn't tell them until after I came back. I do telephone customer service and so my schedule would have to be adjusted to meet my eating schedule needs. My immediate supervisor has been very supportive, however some of my co-workers have been supportive to my face only. Some have complained that I'm getting special treatment to have time away from the phone so I can eat - they don't realize or care that it's now a medical issue. I'm taking steps to ensure that if I need the time, I will be able to get it.

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

BRING A PILLOW!!!!!!! I was in the hospital for four days. I slept through most of it. The hospital staff was very kind and helpful - one tech sat down and shared her own experience with me. The one thing they kept asking me to do that was incredibly tough was coughing. I hated that! Now, I realize the importance of it but at the time, I just rolled my eyes every time a nurse told me to cough. They treated my mom like a queen.

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

The only thing I can remember is constipation and diarrhea. They went away after I began eating soft foods.

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 too excited! I cried when I got "THE" call - I had to only wait two weeks before my actual surgery. I couldn't wait for life to begin.

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

Expect to feel pain. There's no easy or nice way to say it. I used the pain medication almost daily for about a week and a half. One of the most frustrating things to happen was not being able to bend over and that became very obvious when I had to use the bathroom.... You should have someone with you to help you around. She helped me with the abdominal "girdle" - there's no way I would have been able to take it off and put it back on without her help. Expect to get tired of drinking things - when you get to soft foods, it will be the best thng you've ever tasted in your life!!!! Exercise is very important during this time - it will give you a jump start and it will help you to see your own progress and it will give you a lift!

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

The hospital was about two hours away from home - Dr. B's office was an hour away. I needed someone to drive me home and to the first doctor's office visit. For the surgery, my mom stayed in a motel near the hospital - The Clearwater Motel in Addison, MI. I highly recommend it. They treated my mom as if she were theirs too.

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 was afraid to try anything fried for a long time. I was afraid of getting sick. I tried one french fry six months after surgery - it was the best. I had only one - that was enough. When I sit down to eat, I make sure I focus first on protein, then fat content, then sugar. Oreos are definitely off-limits, but there's a sugar-free brand that tastes EXACTLY the same.

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

After my surgery I could barely move. I walked around the courtyard in my apartment for five minutes at first then gradually increased it. My first big hurdle was walking from my house to K-Mart. It look so far away. I finally did it. Then it became so easy. I didn't know how far I was walking, just the amount of time. I found out later that trip in total was 2 miles. I shocked myself! I recently joined a gym - something as a teenager I swore I would never do again - but I really enjoy all of the different exercises it offers. Just the fact that I just said that really shocks me too!

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

I take two Bugs Bunny vitamins w/iron as well two additional iron tablets every day. I started taking zinc too.

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 diarrhea the first few weeks was the worst but it just got better with time and a change in my diet. About six months after my surgery, I noticed some hair loss on the top of my head. I got scared. I started taking zinc tablets and have notice recently it's been growing back - even more full than before.

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

The pain of surgery has to be the worst. I don't want to scare anyone out there reading this but they have to be prepared. I wasn't and so it surprised me.

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

There is a support group that meets not far from my house and it's incredibly helpful. We exchange recipes every week and talk about issues that come up. I really like the fact that I can help someone else. That's very encouraging to me.

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

It's bigger than what I expected. The color is starting to go away and become part of my natural skin tone. I know it's just going to take time.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I'm on a plateau now. It scared me a little. Every time it happens I get a little fearful that I'm not going to lose any more weight. The nutritionist tells me I have to "pump it up" a little bit - a little more exercise or try something different and remember to be patient. This body has been through a lot and sometimes needs an adjustment period. That's what I try to remember.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. I've been called "Skinny Minnie", "Slim" - names that have never applied to me in my life! People, who I don't know, will stop me at work and tell me how good I look and how they've been watching my weight loss. That's the weirdest and wonderful thing to happen yet. One girlfriend asked me what size I was now and after telling her what it was, she said, "You're so skinny!" HAHAHA!!!!