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

I guess the first time I heard about bariatric surgery was reading about Carnie Wilson having the procedure. I saw a picture of her in People Magazine and I didn't recognize her. She was beautiful. At that point I started thinking about it. After that it seemed like every time I turned on the tv I would turn the channel and there was someone talking about it -- or a surgery being performed. Or I would open up a magazine and there would be an article about it. The more I learned about it, the more I realized that this seemed to be a life saving idea for me.

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

They approved it the first submission after getting a little extra info from my surgeon. Make sure you have covered all your bases and (like me) have letters ready practically begging for approval. I didn't need them, but I wanted them ready just in case.

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

It went well - my biggest advise would be to have a list of questions ready to ask -- have your personal information (including a list of failed dieting attempts) written out chronologically and be prepared to answer questions for the surgeon as well as ask.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

90,000 failed diets -- yo-yoing up and down in weight. Not being able to run with my grandkids. Not having a lap for them to sit on because my stomach took up most of it! Not being able to walk up the stairs to my third floor apartment without feeling like I was going to die of heart failure or stroke. Having back and neck pain from too huge boobs and too fat ass.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

When I chose my surgeon I went with her specialty.

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 had many fears -- but I did research, I did a pro and con list of reasons to have surgery versus reasons not to have surgery and felt that the complications I felt as a mo person far outweighed the complications I possibly faced having the surgery.

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?

After they found out that I was serious about having the surgery and I could answer every one of their questions with facts, they became my biggest supporters. And they still are.

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

I work in a hospital, and one of the nurses I work with has had the surgery -- someone at my doctors office (part of the hospital) had the surgery, and someone else in human resources had the surgery - so they are very, very supportive. I was out of work for 4 weeks.

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

My hospital stay was not bad at all. WLS is a new venture at our hospital (I was number 5) and the surgeons and surgical staff and nursing staff all went through extensive training in Boston to prepare them for the care of the wls patient. A hover sheet (along the same idea as a hover craft) was used to move you from bed to surgical table and back to bed on day of surgery. Everyone was wonderful and I loved my nurses.

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

None to speak of - no

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 a little nervous, but not really fearful. I talked with my family and friends. I prepared my living will and Medical power of attorney just in case (and thank heavens did not need). Did a lot of praying and a lot of conversation with my online support friends. The time dragged a little, but no complaints.

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

Easing away from pain meds was difficult at first, I felt like someone has gripped my left upper abd with a fist of iron. But after just a few days I was comfortable with just tylenol. I was tired at first -- could not get enough sleep -- but now two months later, I have so much more energy. The important thing is to sip lots of water and walk as much as possible. It really does help.

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

I live 5 minutes from the hospital -- so not far at all. I am probably a lot more fortunate in that respect than a lot of other wls patients.

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 can't eat bread (toast yes, bread no), pasta too much fat -- sugar -- but I am only 2 months out -- this may change as time evolves.

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

I started walking right away -- so I have been very active -- but I also slept a lot at first.

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

calcium citrate, flinstones chewable vitamin -- twice a day, vitamin b-12 (sublingual) once a day

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

the mourning period when you watch others eat the foods you no longer (at least now) can eat

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

I have a support group that meets once a month at my wls office and I also belong to several fine support groups online. This is extremely important. They help answer questions that might arise and also lift you up by the bootstraps when you need it.

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

I have several very little scars -- and yes they are what I expected -- but after having major surgery several times on my abd and receiving big scars from them, I had no problem about scars anyway.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

One minor one the second month -- but that is over with - lasted about a week.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet -- still a long way to go -- but my friends have noticed my weight loss big time.