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

I heard about Bariatric surgery 25 years ago when my father had the procedure performed. It was always in the back of my mind that i never wanted to experience something like that. I was strong enough to lose the weight on my own and i don't need to have something like that performed on me in order to lose weight.

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

My first visit with Dr. Schirmer was an emotional roller coaster for me. I hadn't entirely decided that this procedure was the right one for me, but I went anyway to hear what he and his staff had to say. I left there still unsure about what I was going to do or not do, but at least I went and listened and learned about the procedure, both the positive and negative aspects of this and how my life would be forever changed should I have this procedure done. For me, if you are like me and unsure about what this procedure can do for you, go in to your first meeting with an open mind. The rest you can take home and sbsorb. This is such an important procedure and it should not be taken lightly.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The decision to have the procedure was not one I took lightly. It was an emotional roller coaster, weighing all the pro's and cons, taking the information I was given along with a little research about the side effects and positive benefits I finally came up with the decision to go forward with the procedure.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Honestly, my insurance company made that decision for me. They would not insure me if I had the Lap Band procedure, but would however cover me for the Gastric Bypass.

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?

This is a tough question to answer. I can remember sobbing the morning of my procedure thinking that if I didn't do what I was told to do (walk and keep moving) that I would die. I was only 41 years old, obese, having an elective procedure and could possibly die. How do you tell your loved ones that you could possibly die all in the name of not wanting to be obese? I let my fears work for me. Once I came to after my surgery I began walking and I have not stopped since. I had my surgery on Friday and I went back to work on Wednesday...reason being...I knew that if i stayed home, I would be one of those persons who just layed around the house and did nothing (hence the fear of dying of a blood clot) For me this was the right decision...I don't recommend it to anyone else...but I am happy with the decision that I made.

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 children were excited for me and told me that I should have done this years ago...my mother on the other hand was not exactly thrilled that I was having this done...She was terrified that I would have awful complications and therefore have more problems. She was however supportive of me, and has been at my side for everything and totally excited to see all the positive changes I have made. I may be 42, but I feel like a 5 year old starting kindergarten again as much as my mother follows me around with a camera. It really is funny.

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

My employers have been awesome throughout this whole process. I have been blessed with working for a small family owned company and everyone is treated with such compassion.

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

My stay in the hospital was incredible...From the moment that i checked in, to the nurses on the floor I was being taken care of by some wonderful nurses and hospital staff. I had my procedure on Friday and was released on Sunday. I took the bare essentials with me to the hospital (I didn't want to lug everything back home with me later). The one thing that I brought with me that made me feel better was my pillow.

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

I have been blessed with the fact that i have had no complications of any sort since my procedure. I have followed almost all the guidelines given to me my Dr Schirmer and his staff and have so far endured a painless recovery.

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 only had one week from the time my surgery was set to the procedure date, thankfully. This did not give me enough time to panic about it or anything. I spent that week getting my house and everything in order.

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

The first few weeks after my procedure the onlly thing I could complain about is that I was tired. I kept my eating on a schedule and my exercise to a modified routine to make sure that I got everything in that was required of me. Trust me when I say that I didn't overdo it, but I wanted to make sure that I at least did what was asked of me.

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

1 mile. I am fortunate enough to live right near the hospital and Dr's Office so that was never an issue.

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.

In the days and weeks following my procedure eating became a chore that I could not forget. I had every alarm in the house programmed to remind me when to eat, when to drink, when to exercise. For me, starting out this way, developing a good routine was essential as it developed into a habit that I can't break now, even all these months later. Some may even call it an obsession. I call it my lifeline. In theweeks before my surgery, I was researching cookbooks for folks who have had gastric bypass surgery looking for meals and menus for foods that have been tried and tested on people who underwent the same procedure. I found the one that I liked, and I began practicing cooking some of the meals and placing them in the food processor to try and find what I could tolerate (I mean really, who really is going to enjoy pureed foods, especially all of us who seriously enjoyed our food). This was essential to do before hand, so when you come home from the hospital and you are on your own, you already know what you can tolerate and can't tolerate, taste wise. The pureed foods got old quick...I couldn't wait until I was given permission to move forward to the next level of eating...God Bless scrambled eggs... For me, the only things that I have not been able to tolerate is Red meat, Bread (I still do not eat bread) and dairy.

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

I kept my activity level on a strict schedule, whether I felt like doing the walking or not...it was important for me to establish a routine as quickly as possible, one that I could easily maintain in the early stages and expand on as I felt my body was ready for more. To this day, I do at least 30 - 45 minutes of exercise every single day without fail. This varies from day to day, but not a day goes by that I do not get some form of exercise in...honestly, it is pretty funny, because I actually look forward to finishing work and getting out there to play.

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

Currently, I am only taking Flinstones Complete Chewable Vitamins as well as my Blood Pressure medicine. I feel that at this time, i am getting enough of all my mother vitamins through nourishment.

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

I am a firm believer in the support group system. I try to attend the meetings at my Dr's office as well as another support group (OH). Also, several of the ladies I have met have become good friends and we keep each other in check and rely on one another to help us get through any rough patches that we go throug

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

If you were to see me in a bikini, all you would see was the stretch marks from having children. The scars left behind from the actual procedure are non existant.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Yes, I have experienced a plateau in my weight loss, but that is to be expected. I just kept on doing what I was doing and eventually this passed. Sometimes, a body just needs to take a break. Also, I am not a person who weighs herself everyday...or every week for that matter. I let my clothes do the talking.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

The people who knew me before the procedure are amazed at the physical difference in me...My former boss walked right passed me in the store and then came back to see if this was actually me. That has been funny. The folks who have watched me go through this process are hilarious...now they just say that my body matches my attitude (whatever that means...hahaha) Who would think that I would have an attitude.