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

I've known about it for years and years but I would never even let my mind go there because I knew I couldn't pay for it so it wasn't an option. Finally people have come to their senses and realized that it is a life threatening disease and now that the insurances are paying for it I am totally stoked. I have hope again. That's an awesome feeling.

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

When I went to my primary doctor , she said she would handle everything. I wouldn't have to do anything. She said if it didn't work out the first time, she would appeal it. I just love that woman. She really cares about me. That's a nice feeling, knowing you have someone with the knowledge and the smarts to get me through this without me having to struggle with it. She's the greatest. My advice to other people is to find you a doctor that cares about you and your needs. Her nurse Kathryn actually did more in getting all my paperwork over to the insurance company in the end. After it reached my PacifiCare office it was just a matter of actually less than 2 weeks. They were the sweetest bunch of folks I have ever dealt with in my life. I'm serious. Just so helpful and caring it was unbeleivable. They were totally excited with me when they told me I had been approved and honey I was calling every single day. They were great.

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

TAKE NOTES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WRITE DOWN YOUR LIST OF QUESTIONS!!!!!! If you don't do anything else do not go in there empty handed. Do your research before you go and be prepared. If your not prepared you can no way carry on an intelligent conversation with your surgeon. Don't walk out of the office going, "OH NO, I FORGOT:" I had all my questions answered and I the visit was a success. He treated me with respect and I treated him with respect. Make sure all your questions are answered for your peace of mind.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I believe the Bible and it tells me that God knew how many days I would live before I lived one of them. I don't think this surgery will give me another day here on earth. It will surely improve the quality of my life while I'm hear though. It's a go. If I die in surgery I have the comfort of knowing I'll be with Jesus so I'm not too worried. I will write to all the people I love before the surgery just in case as much for myself as for them. They will understand and if not then life will go on. I know my husband and my son will understand and that's the most important. My son would have the hardest time dealing with anything going wrong but if it's possible to pray in heaven I'll be face to face with my savior and he'll take care of my baby.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Coming on here and talking with people on the chat lines. Research on the internet like crazy and listening to the success rates on different operations. I also have a great friend in Oregon who had it done and he has lost 200 lbs . Of course when I do get to the surgeon, I will listen to everything he tells me and listen to all his suggestions on the matter. I could be swayed depending on the info I get from him. We got to listen to those doctors. I am having the LAP RNY. My surgeon is a pro at it. I feel confident in that this is the right one.

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?

Work them out within yourself. If I die I know exactly where I'll be that is a great comfort. I plan to write letters individually to each person in my family and explain why I'm doing what I'm doing and telling them each how much I love them and I hope they understand. If not it's something they will have to deal with.

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?

Most of them are scared to death that something will happen to me but they are supportive of my decision because , (excuse the pun) but I'm a BIG girl!!! I have told them all now that I"m approved. They want whats best for me. They'll live with whatever happens. It will be hard for them to seee me skinny. It's not something that anyone has ever seen. They will be intirely shocked when they see me again. Here there or in the air. right?

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

I finally have let people know at work that i'm having surgery. I told them I just didn't want to talk about it right now and they all were so very respectful of that, which floored me. I'm sure I will tell them all about it later. Just right now I feel I want to keep it away from my workplace. I love all of them very much but it's just how i feel. After I lost 40 lbs I told everybody and the mailman and It felt great.Just all of a sudden I didn't care who new. It worked and that was all that mattered. If they had a problem with it or didn't approve then they needed to deal with it. It's funny how we care so much what people think of us. We have to learn to do what is right for us and others (who love you) will support you in those decisions in life.

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

I brought my own pillow, nightgown, I hate those hospital gowns. Also of course, toothbrush, toothpaste, hairstuff, my breathing exercisor, perfume which I didn't use, slippers. I packed very light and used just about everything I took so just use your imagination but you don't need a lot. My hospital stay was short but not so sweet. I was in there for two days and I could hardly wait to get out. The nurses were getting ready to strike and I got to experience all of their hostilities. It was a nightmare. I was very happy to get home without any battle wounds other than my surgery and I"m glad I didn't slap the crap out of one of those nurses. There was a few totally incompetent nurses in recovery as well as in my room. WEnt in on Monday , home on Wednesday.

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

None

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

Put it in the back of my mind and just took it one day at a time. It actually went by pretty fast.

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

A lot of getting to know your new body. YOu throw up a lot. You have to test it and see what you can eat and what you cannot eat. It's just getting to know a new way of life. But it all falls into place so nice. Whatever works I tended to eat for a while because I would build up a trust with it. I'm 9 months out and I am hooked on vegetable beef soup. I have it at some point every single day and it's safe. I also still drink my wonderful protein drink every morning. It makes me feel good. Optimum Nutrition from GNC. No hair fallout.

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

1 1/2 hours. I had local doctor watching over me. I didn't go back to the surgeon for 2 weeks. Just for a release to go back to work. Then went back once after that and now never again unless some major complication pops up. I'm not going to take a day off work so he can do a survey.

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 pureed beans and hamhox the first week after surgery. About 1/4 cup maybe. I ate white beans a lot. They were full of protein and they were safe for some time. I always had my protein drink. I probably always will. It just makes me feel healthy. You can eat anything you want, I love that feeling. You can eat all you want. EXPLANATION! Anything you want. You don't want things that make you feel uncomfortable or hurts you. So you don't want them. You can eat all you want because you don't want that much if you overeat it makes you really uncomfortable and even hurt. So you stop! Real simple. IT is awesome. I love it.

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

I went back to work after 2 1/2 weeks very slow and careful. Every step for a few days was very deliberate. I slowly came back to normal within 6 weeks I felt healed inside.

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

I take a B-12 50mg, 3 tums a day and 2 Flinstone vitamens. 1/2 dose of citrecel every single morning . I'm running like a well oiled machine. It seems to be doing what it's suppose to.

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, is the worse. I just had an episode after 9 months I ate some popcorn that was way on the greasy side and I was up 3 times during the night very nausious. It could have been some sort of bug but I know I don't do any kind of grease or butter very well.

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

My treatment in Stanford Hospital. But I'm sure after the strike was over they improved. I have heard that anyway. A strike is a horrible thing to have to go through but the patient should not have to pay the concequences. I'm glad it's behind me.

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

None, I have my precious husband and friends and family. I don't feel a support group is necessary. (FOR ME) No offense to the people who have one, I think they are great if you need them and I don't mean to sound like I'm better than anyone else. I just had some major support from friends and family and especially my adorable husband.

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

Better than what I expected. Just 5 little tiny dots. Not a problem.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I stayed at 185 for what seemed like a lifetime. But it was only 3 weeks. What happens and why the plateau's seem so intense is because we get so spoiled , for the first time in our lives we see those scales going down down down and it is absolutely awesome , so when it stops it's a little hard to swallow. I"m getting better at it as my weight loss slows. If I don't lose another pound I"m as happy as I can be. 108 lbs down.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Way different. What is so sad is that they don't know it. People in the grocery store treats you different. It seems to be a subconscious thing that people look down on overweight people. They have no respect for people who cannot control their weight. It's really a sad situation and more than likely will not change. They do not understand.