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

FROM CARNIE WILSON, AND OF COURSE THE INTERNET. I SAID TO MYSELF THERE IS A WAY AND IT HAS BEEN 6 MONTHS SINCE LEARNING ABOUT IT. MY IMPRESSION OF THIS SURGERY ON CARNIES SITE, (WHICH BY THE WAY IS AWESOME, YOU GET TO WATCH PRACTICALLY THE WHOLE PROCEDURE FROM START TO FINISH)WAS WOW I GUESS YOU HAVE TO BE BRAVE AND WANT TO HAVE IT SO BADLY. I AM AT THAT STAGE.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I kept gaining weight on a monthly basis. It was getting out of control, as well as my blood sugars and blood pressure. I was a walking time bomb.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Had no choice. My insurance would not permit me to have lap. Had to have open rny.

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?

There was a saying that all my wls family kept saying over and over again, If God brings you to it he will see you through it. I just believed in it,and trusted in God

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?

Very few people I chose to tell. Some were a little annoyed I lied to them, and others understood. The majority of my family and friends were very supportive.

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

Not employed.

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

I was in the hospital for 5 days. I really didn't need to bring anything. They supplied everything. The nurses were very helpful.

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

No complications thank God. Only when I got home I had a UTI, and my doctor treated with injections of antibiotics.

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 had mixed feelings of elation, and anxiety.

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

Aside from the pain and nausea, the feeling was euphoric. The weight just melted off. The feeling was wonderful. It is a difficult because you no longer crave food or have any desire for it in the same way you once had. It was very strange.

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

My hospital was only 1 hour away. I had no problem. I was tired and sore. That was about it.

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 not interested in eating anything. Least of all the protein drinks. I still dislike most meats. My taste buds have changed drastically. I am almost 6 months post op and still have problems eating. I don't have much of an appetite for anything except mostly salty things.

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

More than I had ever dreamed possible, but still grow tired easily.

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

I take a multi vitamin with iron, 3 omega fish oil capsules daily, ester c twice daily and calcium citrate twice daily.

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 worst is the hair loss which I started experiencing in my 4th month and still am. Everything else was not so disturbing as this is to me. I have to eat more protein and drink the water.

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

The waiting and going to all those doctors. I would go 2 steps forward and 3 steps back. It was heartbreaking. I wanted it so badly.

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

Am looking for one. The only one my doctor has is a pre-op support group where post-ops attent.

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

It is real ugly. It is what I expected,

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am only 3 weeks post op and have so far lost 20 pounds.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No not yet.