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

A Life Shape Commercial on Television. I was afraid. I have never been in the hospital for any reason. I rarely went to the doctor because of the harrassment I would get from them over my weight.

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

My insurance approval was fast and simple. I was approved within 1 week and my surgery was done within 1 month. My insurance at that time was Prudential POS

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

It was very pleasant. My surgeon made me feel to comfortable. He encouraged questions and made statements in which I would not have known to ask. To get the best out of your meeting with a surgeon, I would suggest you make a list of questions before your appointment and dont leave the doctor's office without him answering every one of them.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I felt I had no other way out!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided 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?

My fear was blood clots after surgery. I had it set in my mind to keep my legs and feet moving every waking hour in the hospital. After surgery, I began moving my legs,it was even said that I moved them in my sleep. That is probably the most important advice I can give. MOVE THOSE LEGS

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?

My Sister and Friends were excited. My Mom and Dad were happy, a little concerned. My Husband was WRECKED. He was as scared as I was because I discussed funeral plans..(Just incase). Everyone was supportive after surgery. I even had co-workers go to the grocery store to stock my house on stuff I could eat.

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

My boss as the surgery 2 weeks before I did. She is also my best friend. I had no problems in that area. I am very fortunate.

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

My hospital stay was very pleasant, I stayed 5 days. The nurses were very kind and caring. The most important thing to bring is a hair brush...its hard to look or feel good in the hospital. It made me feel better to brush my hair. Maxi Pads for women are important because the trauma of surgery may bring on your period.

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

I had no complications at all

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 was SCARED! Like I said earlier, I had never been in the hospital. I coped by talking with people on www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity and I did a lot of research on the internet.

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

The first few days, I slept in my recliner. It was painful to lay down. I had the Open RNY (Distal). I stayed home for one week, I went to work for half days the second week and was in my normal work schedule the third week.

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

I traveled 2 hours for my surgery. This had no affect on my after care. The ride home was fine.

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.

The week after surgery I ate popsicles and drank juices and water. The next week, I started feeling hungry and I ate some mashed potatoes and refried beans from Taco Bell. A month later, I tried small pieces of chicken and grounded beef. Today, I can digest almost anything. I cannot digest Milk but I can digest the lactose free milk. I can eat raw vegetables, a little steak, etc.

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

I was very tired and weak for about a couple of months. Now that I can eat a little more, I a bursting with energy. I am walking and bike riding for exercise. I also use a stair climber machine.

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

I have taken Centrum Vitamins

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 have had none of the above side effects. If i over eat, I do feel yuk in my stomach, but its not nausea ....

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

I had to drink that barium stuff so that they could see that all was fine in the stomach... That was the worst part.

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

I had to support group. I did however have two friends that had the same surgery. One friends had it 2 weeks before me, the other had it a week before me. We talked together. It was pretty helpful. Makes you feel good knowing that someone is experiencing the same thing that you are.

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

My Scar is about 12 inches long. It is a light pink color. It is what I expected and worth every bit of it. Believe me, when I reach my ideal weight, I will have no problems showing my scar.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I seem to be at a plateau right now, I have lost 170 lbs, I am currently 246 lbs. I am having to exercise more often. This usually kicks the weight loss back in.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES!! People look at me for who I am instead of a lazy fat girl. I went bungee jumping at a local theme park here. I asked the man if anyone bigger than me ever did this. He looked at me and said "God, Yes", "your not that big!".... Trust me, I dont know what was better, his response or the exhileration from the jump.