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

Listening to Rosanne and then Carney Wilson had her surgery just a few days before me.

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

My doctor was great in helping with this. He knew what I was going through and helped me immensely. I was with Aetna and now I am with TriCare Prime. I don't know what will happen with this insurance if I should like to have the procedure again.

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

Be ready! Have your questions written out...your symptoms etc.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I didn't want to live.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I talked to great extense with my surgeon.

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?

Check out your surgeon, talk with others, listen to others. I also attended support groups.

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?

They were against it at first but after they saw how much effort I put in to finding out all I could about it, they began to open up and then support me 100%.

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

I was going to be off work for the 3 months short-term leave with the plan of coming back earlier. I was laid off after 3 weeks of leave.

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

I unfortunately did not have a great stay i the hospital. I was on the heart ward and they didn't know a lot about my type of surgery. I was there for 3 days. Bring a positive attitude.

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

No complications except a little fever and I ate some split pea soup that was too thick and it caused quite a bit of pain.

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 continued to feel wonderful and hopeful. I was able to get up and walk a few days after.

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

I found that if I freezed my portions in ice cube trays it was a perfect amount for me to start on and put in the microwave. I also froze 1" sections of bananas and sucked on them.

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

5 miles

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 okay with most everything. My surgeon was dissappointed that I didn't get sick with chocolate and sweets...me too!

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

Daily multivitimans and minerals, iron, b-12, calcium.

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?

I still can not sleep well. I don't know if this is at all due to the surgery.

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

Getting up out of bed the first few days.

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

About 10" vertical...I love it cuz it was life-saving.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am having one now and am feeling scared that I am going to gain back my weight. I have a huge appetite and go after sweets...like cinnamon/sugar on toast, the tops of chocolate covered donuts, etc.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Oh yes...I'm not looked at with disgust!