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

I saw Carnie Wilson on t.v and saw what she went through and I researched this for about 2 years. I thought that it could be an easy way to lose weight, but it is not. It is only a tool and winning my battle with food addiction is harder than I thought it would be. But I will over come it.

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

I am on Medicare for disablity and it was only one week approval time.

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

My meeting with my surgeon helped to put it all in perspective. I really felt that he was knowledgeble and very competant. Write a list of questions and take them to the doctor, my surgeon has you attend a mandatory seminar before you can ever get an office appointment. That was really helpful.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My weight was approching 295 lbs and I am only 5'1". My knees were in constant pain and I was taking Vicodan daily just to cope with the knee pain.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I had the RNY Laprascopic.

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 worried most about having a leak. I aslo worried that my blood pressure would be too high during the surgery and I would have another stroke. But all those fears were eased by way the Doctor and the surgical staff treated me. They were wonderful.

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 son and finance` really didn't have much to say. My sister has been by my side the whole time. My brother didn't have an opinion one way or the other.

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

My hospital stay was good. I was there for 2 days. I brought all the tolietries I needed from home and comfy clothes for the ride home. I live an hour away from the hospital.

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

No complications at all.

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 nervous and excited. I ate like there was no tomorrow.

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

My first week home was the hardest. Trying to sip the liquids. I was so thirsty.

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

I live one hour from the hospital.

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 can not tolerate milk right now. I can not have anything sweet, everything has to be sugar-free. Some of the products aren't too bad.

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

I have a lot more enery than I did before June 16, 2005. I still have some days that are down and weepy. But they are getting better.

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

I take 2 children's chewable vitamins a day and 1000 mg of calcium a day.

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 only trouble that I had was the first week and a half with nausea because of sinus drainage. The doctor but me Claritin and I am doing better.

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

Getting rid of the C02 gas after the surgery and the headache from withdrawing from caffine and the Vicodin.

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

I go the support group from my surgeons office that is held one a month on the first Wednesday. It is real important to have a support group and/or system.

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

I ahve 6 small incisions from the scopes

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am still losing weight and inches every week.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I ahven't noticed anyone treating me any differently.