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

A friend at work had the procedure nad was very sucessful. I thought hey! maybe this is for me. I began researching and reading every book I could get my hands on.

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

When I first went to my Dr., she said well you can't smoke, so I took a couple of months and then I quit. I went back to the Dr. and told her so. She then told me that I had to have proof of 6 months of a managed weight loss program. (weight watchers, Jenny Craig) Sinve I didn't, I would need to enroll in their classes for 24 weeks. I was also required to loose 10% of my body weight, which at the time was 30 lbs. I was diappionted at first, but now I am glad that they had these rules, as I was better prepared for the surgery.

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

It was positve. I left very excited to begin.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was tired of being tired. I was beginning to suffer from stress incontinence. My knees hurt. I wanted to be "normal". I want to take my son to an amusement park and ride the rides. I want to see him graduate high school and college. I wanted to live.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The RNY is considered to be the gold standard. It seemed the best for me. I was most confident that this was the surgery I needed.

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?

I didn'y really have any fears about the surgery. I had more fear of dying a fat person. I felt that I had received a lot of knowledge, and that empowered me.

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 husband was very negative at first. After watching me follow Kaiser's programs and my struggle to loose the 30lbs. he slowly began to see that this was something that I really wanted. It was like one day a light bulb went off, and he decided that I was doing what was right for me.

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

My boss is completely supportive. I am taking 3 weeks off of work.

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 3 days. I would bring your own pillow, some baby wipes, chapstick and slippers. )especially for men, thoses hospital ones aren't very big.) A tooth brush and your own toothpaste can make you feel like a million bucks in the a.m.

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

No complications.

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 so excited. I followed my Dr's eating rules to the "T". I didn't want anything to ruin my surgeruy or healing process. I felt a little axious the day before, but I worked all of that day, so it helped to keep my mind busy.

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

Let you go at your own pace. Listen to your Dr. drink lots of water! You will feel a little bit tired, but I think that we're just recovering, our insides have been moved around and our bodies need to adjust and heal. I returned to work after 3 weeks and I wish that I would have takn more time off to set a regimen for myself.

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

30 miles from home.

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 am on soft high protein foods right now until I reach the 4 week mark. May 21, 2006 I have been cleared to try chicken and seafood. cooked veggies, and fruit. So far I can tolerate everything, but I am a chicken so I stick to soft foods. I do not want to be sick.

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

I need a nap inthe afternoon, and I am 2 weks out. I get tired easily.

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

multi vitamin 2x day, 1500 mg calcium, 325mg ferrous sulfate, sublingual B-12, pirlocec 20mg.

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

I had an awful roommate in the hospital. I would have liked a private room or maybe someone else that had the same surgery as me.

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

My Dr. has monthly support group meetings. I think that it is helpful, I believe attending these helps you stay on track. You can get information and answers to questions, because there are so many different people there.

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

I have 7 very small scars. I think that I thought that they would be bigger and that they would hurt. They don't. The reason I have 7 scars, is because I had to have my gallbladder removed. Those 2 scars are super small.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I haven't really hit a plateau yet, I am only 1 month out.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

So far I ahven't really had anyone treat my different. I do have one girl constantly asking what I am eating everyday. I guess she's curious.