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

My girlfriend which went on many diets with me went thru it and other friends went thru it. At first, I saw the problems she had, and I was frightened... but I thought OK God, as many doors that you open, I will go thru them all... and guess what...every one wsas opened.

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

I would advise anyone to have in writing all the diets, with dates and signatures of doctors, weight loss if any.

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

well, My first meeting was with a surgeon that isnt even in my group. I thought I could afford it and wanted to go with someone that had a good rep. Then, I learned that I was better off going with a surgeon in my group which I ended up loving her dearly. She was very encouraging and answered any question I had.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When I saw all my girlfriends loosing, and I was stuck and steadily gaining the weight back that I had lost here and there. You know that roller-coaster..............

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted to have the least amount of scaring and the quickest recovery time.

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?

Well, I am a beliver of the Lord Jesus and I feel like if you are walking in his will, he wants to give us the desires of our hearts and this was truely a desire of mine. I just had to trust him with all my heart and give him my fears. If he was gonna take me, he would take me and I was ok with that.

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?

I have had nothing but support. Everyone wants to see me freed up from this snare. My husband has been a big support.

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

My hospital stay was ok... the room was private which I did like, I had the nicest nurses. If I can offer the best suggestion is a wooden spoon to use in the bathroom. No kidding, those cottonell wipes fit nicely arount the spoon part, and let me tell ya..... I came out clean every time... and it was comfortable instead of having the rn's wipe you or even your best friend which can be embarrasing. Chapstick was a lifesavor......I was there from Friday August 30, thru Monday Sept. 2. 4 days, 3 nights.

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

no complications at all...Love my surgeon. She was very confident which helped.....

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 am only in my first week post op.... the addiction to food is overwhelming sometimes. Not sure how I am coping... just staying busy like this survey to fill out helps. Having kids helps too.. Read with them... but I am finding out how much I miss stuffing my face with rich foods.. this is the reason I got this to begin with. So I am hoping that it works. I havent experienced the "full sensation"... and I sure do hope it comes.. I think I could eat a lot more, but I wont because I dont want to mess up what has been done surgically...it was enough that I messed with Gods plumbing, I want to be sure not to mess things up!

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

At this time I can only tell of my first 2 weeks post op. But, I have been able to hold everything down. I have not had to vomit, or even had nausea. The pain was there for sure, but the medicine really helps.... do take yours when the time is relavant. I felt like this was worse than giving birth, and I say that because when you give birth with all its pains, you at least have something for all the pain you have gone thru-(baby)... with this surgery, you have nothing right away that makes you feel like it was worth it. But, I can say that it can be time to get closer to the Lord by spending time in his word, like reading good emotional healing books I reccoment Stormie Omartians "LORD, I want to be whole"... life changer!

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

My surgery was within 30 minutes of my home, and even tho it wasnt far, It was still a joy ride! With all the bumps and turns... be sure who ever drives you is sensitive... Thanks honey for your safe drive home!! I love you...

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 have been able to have anything with in doctors limits. I have not made my own rules. I have change my coffee, my tea, my snacks.. most anything that I used sugar, I have changed. I have held everything down.

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

So far 2-weeks out, My surgeon on Wednesday released me to exercise, however she isnt inside this body and I am not anywhere near ready to do aerobics like she suggested.... I did push myself to take walks. they werent far at all, but it helped with the rumbling gas that accompanys during recouperation... I will update as I progress.

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

I bought centrum liquid, but havent used it once! I have found that chewables sugarless of course, were my best choice..I have loved them since childhood. Everyone else hates Carnation Instant Breakfast, I dont mind it. I make one and put it in freezer (chocolate) and every 30 minutes I will go and stir it.... it makes it like a slurpee.... I have also implimented dry powdered milk into say mashed potatoes, my CIB, Puddings, etc.

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?

As far as side effects, I havent experienced any that I can think of. I miss quantities of food. I deal with most of my stinking thinking by either praying, or calling another sister in wls.

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

For me, I havent gotton the Full Feeling.... I may not be pushing it either. But the worst part is fighting this damn addiction to food that I most definately have. This has been the most difficult....

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

Well, this site has a wonderful chat room that I can just get the attention of ones who to me seem very caring, which have been all. I also go to a support group at the local Hospital which meets the first Tuesday of each month. I have my Mother in law which is fabulous.. .Thanks mom! My relatives are not near hear, but they have visited too..Thanks Shane, TAmmy, Sue and Christine... I know you would be here too dad if you could. Its ok. My friends that have been thru this operation were soooo supportive. Donna, Karen, Pat,Lisa, Lillian.... Thanks... I would have been lost w/o you all....

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

I only have 6 small scars...I am ok with it.. I met Mindy which had the surgery a month before me, and she went in for lap and came out cut all to pieces! So I am very thankful

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have experinced plateaus even so early in the game... when we are undergoing such a drastic measure(WLS), we expect the weight to fall off more quickly than it actually does. I would weigh every morning and that was not the best thing to do. When the numbers didnt go down, I would get very discouraged. I still, only 2 months out as of today, weigh almost every day,still get discouraged becuase it isnt all off... I often forget the big picture.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, just people that know I have had the surgery ask how much I have lost every sunday at church... so sometimes I avoid people get tired of compliments... not sure what to say. I better get used to it though, I guess.