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

My mother saw Dr. Allen on t.v. talking about the lap band procedure. She gave me his name so I could talk with him and ask some questions. My initial impression, I was scared. I realized how serious the surgery was.

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

If you don't hear something in a few weeks call the Dr. office, make sure your paperwork has been completed and faxed on to the insurance company.

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

I was nervous, I forgot most of what I wanted to ask. Dr. Allen gave me his e-mail address so if I had any questions I could e-mail him. He throughly went over everything...the good..the bad and the ugly.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I felt it was my only hope to a healthier life. I knew as I got older how the weight was going to tax my body. I had a broken spirit due to all my failures to get a handle on my weigh. This was the light at the end of the tunnel.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My insurance would not have approved the lap band procedure, so gastric bypass was my only option.

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 felt I had to do it, and if something did go wrong that was the way I was suppose to leave this world. I did not dwell on what if...I just kept thinking about losing the weight and what a difference it was going to make on my life. My advice to others who are considering surgery, keep your eyes on the finish line...don't let people, thoughts and fears keep you from winning the battle.

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 daughter and my mom were very happy for me, my two sons were apprehensive. They were very content with the way I was. They didn't see the need in doing anything drastic. My husband has been my biggest supporter. He would sit and let me rattle on and on about the surgery, the Dr., what my expectations were, my fears, and what my dreams were of not being OBESE. He stayed at the hospital with me 24/7 for four days. He tells me daily how proud he is of me and how well I'm doing.

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

I owned my own shop so I talked with some of my regular customers and they were like "GO GIRL!".

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

The first and second days were a blur. The nose tube was uncomfortable, the Heparin shots were terrible (painful), nothing to drink felt like an eternity and of course getting trays with jello, broth, popcicles were boring. I was in the hospital for 4 days, and by the fourth day I was ready to go home. I was up walking several time a day, sitting up instead of staying in the bed was good for me.

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

I did not have any complications due to the surgery itself.

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

Even though I was excited, I sometimes got tired of family and friends constantly asking "Are you sure you want to do this?". Or talking about something to death. I felt that it was all there was to talk about.

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

Of course I had spent my life eating, and worrying about eating, so when I got home and all I could eat was broth, jello, etc. I felt deprived and wondered if this was it...the way I would feel for the rest of my life. But of course each day, each week I added something different to my diet, and that's when I realized what a miraculous change in my body. I ate alittle and was FULL! But I ate what I liked.

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

I live about one hour from my Dr. and the hospital, so it was no problem.

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 started out with soups, like chicken noodle, tomato, and cream of broccoli. I ate crackers, tuna and chicken salad. The only food that I have not been able to tolerate in the 7 months since my surgery is chinese. I don't know why, but, I have vomited both times I tried it. Oh well, I can definitely live without chinese food. Sausage causes me to have diarrhea, so I stay away from that. I love tossed garden salad, however, I can only eat a very small amount, it fills me up so fast. At this point I can eat what ever I want and I stay away from the food that has caused me problems before.

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

Because my surgery was done laproscopic I had minimal pain. I didn't have to take any pains pills that I was sent home from the hospital with. Other than lifting, I was up doing daily chores, shopping and things got back to normal quickly. Now, 7 months later(feb.2003) I have so much more energy than before the surgery. I amaze myself sometimes when playing with my grandkids, how much longer I can hang in there with them, any that I am the one wanting to do this and do that.

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

I came home from the hospital chewing a Flinstonevitamin in the morning and one at night. After about 2 months of that I switched to taking a Centrum every morning. I recently had some blood work done by my regular doctor and everything came back normal.

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 only vomited when I over ate, or ate chinese. I have noticed in the last 2 months losing hair. I haven't lost a great deal of hair, however, I had very thick long hair to start off with and when I pull it up in a pony tail, the hairband will go around three times now and only twice before the surgery. I've increased my intake of protein to help with this.

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

Getting used to having to go to the bathroom, urgently first thing in the morning. I have to get up earlier now to make sure I am not rushed to the point of not making sure I go to the bathroom. When I have rushed out and not gone to the bathroom, I feel full and uncomfortable during the day. So, changing my bathroom habits was an adjustment for me. Other than that, I haven't really had a "worst" part about having the surgery.

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

I've just used obesityhelp.com for support, information and away to keep a journal of my experience.

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

I have 5 one inch scars. The surgery was done laproscopic.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People are excited for me. If I see somebody I haven't seen since before my surgery and they say I am looking really good, I share with them about my surgery. I'm not ashamed that I chose the surgery to save my life.