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

Al Roker. Yep, the weather guy. My first impression was that this was going to change my life forever.

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

I was very lucky to have great insurance coverage. My insurance company practically jumped at the chance. I suppose my many weight related illnesses were costing them more than the surgery! My advice would be to keep knocking on doors, keep making phone calls and keep a record of every conversation, letter, appointment, etc. Never give up. Oh, and don't take their answers personally. They area a for profit company...not a charity organization.

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

I saw him initially at the seminar. I was a nervous wreck when I met him one on one. I was sure he was going to say NO to me. He laughed when I told him this. I was a little surprised at all of the pre-op testing that I had to undergo. But, when I read the horror stories of people who have died, I am glad my group was so vigilant. If a doctor requires no pre-op work run, don't walk away and find another doctor.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had tried everything and was tired of being fat. I wanted to live without pills and diabetes. I wanted to live long enough to meet my grandchildren.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The doctor decided based on the need to remove my gallbladder. I was told my options, but he ultimately made the final decision.

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?

When I look back on it now, I realize how naive I was. It seems that my family and friends were much more concerned then I was. I guess I just somehow knew I would be OK. My belief was that I had been through so much trauma and injury in my life that nothing could get me down. I thought "how hard could this be?" I was about to find out.

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?

Everyone was supportive, with reservations of course. Some family members drove me crazy with horror stories of death and mutilation, others kept their fears to themselves. If I could go back and do it again, I would have taken things more seriously and not been so devil may care about the whole thing. But, in retrospect, maybe that is what saved me from so much mental anquish. Also, a lot of people get appproved and then have to wait for months for their surgery. I was approved by the surgeons after all of the tests on a Thursday and had the surgery the following Wednesday when I agreed to take a cancellation spot. Once I had the surgery everyone was very supportive...just worried.

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

I was not working at the time. Good thing too. My recovery was long and arduous. I stayed in bed for 3 months! Thank god my sons were there to take care of me.

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

According to my husband the first thing I asked for when I woke up from the surgery was a slice of cheese pizza and a coke. Yep, that sounds like me. I have absolutely no recollection of my 10 day hospital stay. Drugged the whole time. My husband says I spent most of it moaning and groaning and demanding to know where my pizza was. Bring a friend or family member to advocate for you.

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

Not one single complication. I sailed through it. I am blessed.

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

My surgery date was only a week away when I recieved the word. Not much time to worry. I had a lot of arrangements to make and was very busy. I didn't sleep well, but that is to be expected. I was naive about the whole thing that I did not have much anxiety. Pretty dumb eh?

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

Pain. confusion, doubt. That sums it up. Your body has been through a tremedous trauma. Give yourself time to heal. Nothing is so important that you have to jump up and rush back to it. Let other people do things for you. Most people like helping. You can repay them later when you are well. Keep your mind occupied and do as the doctor orders. My first few weeks were filled with thoughts of food. As God is my witness, I could smell McDonalds fish sandwiches in the house! After weeks of accusing my son of hiding them from me he went out and bought me a fish sandwich. I took one bite and spit it across the room in disgust! People should expect to feel wierd and perhaps act wierd. This too shall pass.

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

One hour away down a busy Los Angeles freeway in traffic. For my aftercare, my husband would schedule a day off and we would make the trip together. I was too sick and too fat to drive. A supportive spouse is a godsend.

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 ate broth and jello for three months. Then yogurt and cottage cheese after that. As I was left with an extremely small pouch, my dietary habits are very very restricted. I eat no meat at all now. Not through choice, I just can not digest it anymore. I also eat no fried foods, very little sugar (I still dump it) and my veges have to be soft and mushy. I guess this might discourage some folks, but I am an unusual case, not the norm. I only take in about 8 to 10 ounces of food a day. All soft and liquid food. But, I DON'T CARE! I am so small and petite. I have closets full of clothes. I can go anywhere I want and do anything I want now that I am thin. Who cares about eating. Oh yea, I am a gourmet cook. Yep, I cook a restauraunt quality meal for my family every nite. On the rare occasion when we do go out, it is for sushi. There, I can eat two pieces of sushi. Now, most fellow gb'rs can eat a polite portion of anything. I am the exception, not the rule so don't go by me.

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

Zero. I would get help to the bathroom and then get back in the bed. Now I walk three miles a day. It will get better, just keep at it and never retreat. Walk as much as you can as soon as you can. Gradually increase your activity as your doctors allows.

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

Iron, Multi, Ginko, Move Free,DHEA, Zinc.

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?

Nausea, vomiting were the worse for me. I slept well because of the meds my doctor prescribed for me after the surgery. I have not had to deal with hair loss. The worst of everything was over in the first three months after surgery. Seems like a long recovery doesn't it? Well, I have a friend who was at the zoo eating ice cream 5 days after her surgery. So, the lesson here is, everyone is different. You cope with it one day at a time. This too shall pass must be your mantra at all times.

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

Quitting smoking Waiting Post Op Pain

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

I was already in individual psychological counseling prior to the surgery and continued with this. My psych was a godsend. If you don't have one, join a support group.

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

It is fading, but will always be there. Looks better than all that fat. It is about what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am down to about where I wanted to be and my weight stays very stable. My weight loss was quick and very steady. I would not want to loose much more wieght as I am boney now.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

It is funny, but the thinner I got, the smarter I got. At least other people treated me as if I was smarter. Even family members treat you differently. This weight loss surgery will shut your critics up. period! The world hates fat people and they treat them miserably. I could tell enough horror stories to fill a book. You are agoing to be amazed.