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

I first heard about it (seriously) by carnie wilson. I was scared to death but continued to research it for 2 years. Then last year my liver doctor told me that if I didn't loose weight that within 20 years I was looking at getting a liver transplant due to my fatty liver.

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

I got approved in one and a half weeks. I went into my Surgens office with written letters from my other 3 doctors, explaining why they thought i should have the surgery. Also, Dr. Cooper has the insurance company's lingo down pat. It was so quick for me that I didn't have time to think

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

I wrote down a lot of questions so I was prepaired.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

It was my liver... I figured it would be easier to have this surgery than to have a liver transplant....

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

it was the only one offered in my area.

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?

Believe it or not, my bigest fear was having that damn GI tube shoved up my nose and down my throat, the cathader and the epidoral. The GI tube was the worst!!!I still have brusing and scabs from it. the epidoral and cathader was no big deal at all.

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 hawe the best support group around... I am surrounded by friends that I have known since high school, the most amazing husband and a great family and co-workers... I got so many flowers that I thought I died! Even the ones who thought I shouldn't have the surgery, they were there for me too... You definatly need help the first two weeks...

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

I prepared my boss 9 months ago that this was a possibility. I work in an office and there are 60 employees... You would not believe the support I have gotton from most of them. I am very blessed... The exicutive director even came to see me in the hospital.

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

I stayed for 4 days. I got great care in the ICU but the main floor sucked. I suggest that you pay attention to what the doctor wants you to do and don't expect anyone else to come and make you do these things... You need to take charge of your own care and you need to not be shy about asking the nurses to do things...(flushing your tube, making your bed, emptying your cathader bag, getting your pain meds every 2 hours!)Bring your own pillow, blankit and socks. Have lotion, powder and face cleanser. you won't shower for 5 days so somethig for your hair is a good idea too.

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

I have been having nausea and when I lay down I get the worse acid reflex (which is different than heart burn). I stated boiling ginger root and drinking the water.. that helped me more than all the pills, tums and mylanta.

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 felt like I couldn't walk when I first heard. Then I couldn't think in a calm manner. I wrote out lists of things that had to be done before the surgery and kept myself busy getting the house and family ready. I also planned a last big bang party, well 2 of them. I also wrote out my will and I wrote letters to all my friends, family and co-workers. These letters were to be sent out if I died. I also made sure that my husband knew where things were and what to do with the bills and animals... I even went as far as to teach him how to cook for the two weeks leading up to the surgery.... ok, I'm compulsive and crazy!

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

You should expect to be in the worse pain you have every felt! Remember that alot of the depression is because of all the pain meds you have and are on. Let yourself cry, cry and cry... there will be a morning period...for food, wanting to join in on the raindeer games, ect. Plus, cryig helps release toxins that are in your body from the anithesia and morphine. Each week does get better even when you are thinking that you will never feel good again. Try not to feel sorry for yourself, remember that there are a lot of people who have it worse then you do. DO NOT DO ANYTHING! even if you feel good. you must sit and lay for the first 2 weeks so you don't mess up the insides. My god, it's a mess in there. Walking short distances 2 to 3 times aday and continue to use your breathing things 4 to 5 times a day... Keep a journal of your moods, pain level and how your are feeling. I also wrote down when I drank and took pills. This is important so you can locate what is making your sick if you get sick.

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

25 miles... on the way home it felt like a 100 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.

Follow your diet booklet that the doctor give you EXACTLY! Don't drink dairy products before laying down... you must drink lots and lots of water... sip all day FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!

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

the first week I just walked down to the mail box and around the yard... every day past the first week I walked down the street further and further... by the end of 4 weeks I walked 1 mile... my doctor says I have to be walking 2 miles a day by 6 weeks.

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

flinstone chewables... it has to be flinstone, not any chewable. The levels are different. b12, iron, tums

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?

nausia, sleep disturbace to say the least. for the first 3 weeks I slept on the couch proped up and I never slept more then 2 hours at one time. the 4th week I slept in my bed but still proped up and a pillow under my knees. Acid reflex is a big problem when I sleep. I stopped eating or drinking anything other then water before bed and that helped.

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

everything!! I hate it!!! Just now in my 4th week am I able to tolerate the pain. I am now happy that I can eat other foods other than baby food.

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

This web site (WLS) is the only one I have. If it wasn't for the fellow gastric buddies i just don't know what i would do. I have a couple of local gastric pals that met through my doctor. Support and talking about it is so important so you can get your feelings valadated... and let me tell you, you will go through a lot of feelings.

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

my scar is not to bad. I have put vit. E. oil on it since the 2nd week. my doctor did a good job.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I lost 40 pounds in the first 4 weeks. Then I platuaued for 4 weeks. I really watched what i ate and excercised a lot!!! And different kinds of excercise. I thought I would never loose another pound until week 9 I lost 10 pounds in the last 7 days. I am happy again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People are excited for me where ever I go. I live in a small town and I have lived her all of my life so everyone knows me. However, i have heavy girlfiend who is having a hard time dealing with my weight loss. She has even said that she can't stand the way i walk and stand now. My husband is treating me like a goddess... He has become an animal and we have fallen in love all over again, even after 19 years of marrage. We are having more fun than when we were first married.