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

I heard about it when Carnie Wilson underwent it. I felt like I could identify with her, I was heavier than she but suffered as she did. I had an old friend who had the surgery and it saved her life. She's been very successful and she inspired me to take this step to save my life as well. Initially, I was scared to undergo such a serious surgery, but the more I researched it and thought about it, I realized that I was heading for disaster anyway.

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

Had absolutely no problem with my insurance company, MVP Select Care. I suggest you research your insurance company to find out what their policy is on the surgery and then pick a doctor that is covered under your plan.

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

I was scared to death but felt that I had just taken the biggest step in my life. I was very impressed with him, liked him immediately and more importantly, felt that I could trust him. My life was in his hands. I came very prepared to that initial consult, brought three typed pages of questions, which he greatly appreciated. He patiently went over every one of them and even drew me diagrams. I knew that he was the person who was going to give me the tools to get my life back.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I needed to live a healthier and happier life. To be here as long as possible for my children, to give myself back what I had lost, and to be able to really live instead of exist.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I went by what would give me the best possible results. I did what the surgeon suggested I do. I had open 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 had many of those fears, I can't imagine any morbidly obese person facing surgery not having those fears. However, I knew that my surgeon was excellent and would do the best he could to keep me safe. It's normal to fear the unknown, its normal to fear being put under anesthesia, and its very normal to worry that something will go wrong. I put my faith in God that it hopefully was not my time to go and that I'd come through this and be able to complete what I was put here to do.

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 was worried but supportive. He thought I was very smart to have researched as much as I did and very brave to take this step. My children were all very supportive and understanding and proud of me for doing this for myself. After surgery I could not have asked for a better support system and everyone did their very best to take care of me. My husband was amazing and my kids were terrific. My friends have been extremely supportive and encouraging. I am very blessed.

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

I am self employed so this was not an issue for me. I did not return to my work for about three weeks, then slowly returned and had a full schedule when I was six weeks post op.

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

I was in the hospital for four days. The stay was ok, not my favorite place to be. I was lucky, I had a private room so nobody had to watch my uncovered butt as I went from the bed to the bathroom. I found the room very warm, had my husband bring me a small fan to use. Most important thing to bring... your sense of humor.

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

Thank God, no complications whatsoever. I was extremely fortunate.

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

The first week was very uncomfortable. It got better week by week. I found myself emotionally ok for the most part. I think that I got a little over emotional around the fourth week, I was feeling very deprived and sick of the liquid diet. I didnt have any anxiety, I was very confident that I had made the right choice and did the best thing for myself. I was tired for the first few weeks, mostly because I couldn't sleep. I found myself waking up every two hours or so. I was very happy when I could lay on my stomach, then I finally started to sleep better. I never had a problem with food, it was ok that I wasn't eating, I had no appetite.

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

To be very tired, feeling weak from lack of nutrition. I was having a problem with the 'runs' in my second week, too many protein drinks for my new little pouch to deal with. After I cut back, it was fine. I was very bloated upon my return home from the hospital and it took a while for all the fluid to leave my body. I needed to rest after simple tasks like showering. Lack of sleep due to lack of comfort laying down. Very proud of myself for having the courage to take such a drastic step in saving my life. Very anxious to see changes in myself.

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

Not at all far from my home, maybe 45 minutes.

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.

First five weeks was pure liquids (jello,broth,ice pops,yogurt). After that, mushy foods (tuna,egg,humus,cottage cheese) Now, I've started incorporating regular foods. I find that I cannot tolerate chicken wings, but I can eat white meat chicken breast as long as there is some sort of sauce. I can eat chopped meat, chili,sea food, salad, some chinese foods. I try new things, if they don't agree with me, I let it go for a while, then try them again. I'm only 3 months since surgery so I haven't tried too many new things yet.

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

Very low, very slow moving and lethargic. BUT I was already slow moving prior to surgery from having to carry around all that excess weight. Now, I see a huge difference in my stamina and ability to move around.

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

Multi vitamins, vitamin C, Zinc, Calcium, Vitamin B Complex, B12.

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 worse was the sleep disturbance the first month. I never had nausia, haven't dumped, hair has thinned slightly. I really don't have anything to complain about at this point :)

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

Worrying about it before surgery. I was so scared of being under anesthesia, scared that something would go wrong during surgery and that I'd not come out of it ok. Once I was there for the surgery, I was relaxed and comfident that it would all go well. I had all the faith in the world in my doctors.

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

Its really not bad at all, approximately four inches long, smooth, kinda purple in color,just below my breast bone to above my belly button. Its healed much better than I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Around my second month, I seemed to slow down in weight loss. I apparently wasn't eating enough and my body went into starvation mode.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I am getting compliments, makes me feel great. It's not so much that other people are treating me differently, I AM TREATING MYSELF DIFFERENTLY!