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

I was reading a magazine about Carney Wilson and made the comment to the nurses I work with that I wanted to have this surgery done. Of course they talked me out of it, telling me all the bad things that might happen to me.

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

I had to find a Doctor that agreed with me in the need for this surgery. That took me about two years. The Doctor that helped me had a relative that had this surgery and he saw how much it changed her life. So with health issues under my belt(high blood pressure, asthma and weighing close to 400 lbs.) it took only two letters from my Doctor and many phone calls from me to get approved. I called every other day to see exactly what stage my paper work was going through.

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

My surgeon came recommended from a prior patient. He was direct and to the point and left time for any questions that I had. I went prepared to my appointment with several books and questions on things I did not understand in the book.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My will to live and this being my last resort to get this weight off. I had a yo-yo weight problem and I am tired of it. I have three children I want to see graduate from high school and college.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The Doctor I chose only did one type of surgery.

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?

THere is always a fear of dying during any surgery, this was my first ever surgery, I went in with a living will intact(just in case). Then I also dwelled on what if this did not even work to help me lose weight. I would keep pouring over the net looking for sites and pictures of people that had gone through this. And I knew this was the right choice.

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 parents never heard of the surgery, they thought it was for my heartburn. So I explained it to them and told them what books to read (they live in Fla. I'm in Oh.) My mom flew in to help with my family during my hospital stay and stayed with me for a couple of weeks after that. My boyfriend was behind me all the way.

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

I told my supervisor a month prior to my surgery what I was doing and that I needed about a month off from work. She was very supportive of my decision because she was with me through all my hospital stays with my asthma. I was out of work for about six weeks.

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

I went for pre-admission testing about three weeks before my surgery date. So I was admitted the same day as my surgery. I was in the hospital over Thanksgiving (I didn't have to cook, yeah!). The hospital was very quiet(most are over holidays). I stayed about 4 days. Make sure you take very comfortable clothing to wear home!!!! I also took a puzzle book with me and all your home medications.

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

I had very severe pain but only while I was in the Hospital. I had only one breathing difficulty, which I believe was part of my asthma. I got a breathing treatment and then I was alright. This surgery produces alot of gas and with that comes pain, make sure you walk and keep walking once they let you out of bed.

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 very excited, I had a count down to my date. Then I would wonder if I was making the right decision. I had about two months to toss that back and forth in my head. My 12 year old daughter was very frightened, I had to reassure her on a daily basis that mom would be coming home for the hospital. She stayed home from school the day of my surgery (my other two children went to school)so she could come to the hospital with my brother and mom to see that I made it through.

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

I was very sore. I had a lack of energy. My diet consist of water and popsicles. There was not much I could keep down. Gas pain was terrible and since it was winter time I could not go outside to walk. My boyfriend drove me to a grocery store (still had to shop for the kids) where I could walk around and get the gas moving. We also checked out alot of labels on cans looking for high protein low sodium contents. Do not overwork yourself, make sure you pace your work.

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

I had to travel an hour away from my home. This is not affecting my aftercare because I know how important my follow up visits are. But I need to find a support group here in Columbus.

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 first week after surgery I was on a liquid diet. The next week I was moved to a puree diet, and I stuck with that for about two weeks because I was not able to tolerate anything else. Then going into my fourth week post-op, I was allowed to have baked potatoes, no meat yet. Whatever I was able to tolerate that was soft. About six weeks post-op I was allowed to try shredded meat, but that did not sit well with me. Today I am 21 weeks post-op and I still do not tolerate alot of things. I try to stay with high protein foods and plenty of water.

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

I HAD NO ACTIVITY PRIOR TO MY SURGERY. FOR THE THREE MONTHS POST-OP I JUST DID A LITTLE WALKING. NOW I AM ALMOST SIX MONTHS POST-OP I GO TO THE LOCAL PARKS AND WALK THEIR 3.8 MILE TRAILS. IT TAKES ME JUST OVER AN HOUR BUT THAT GIVES ME SOMETHING TO WORK ON TO IMPROVE. I SIGNED UP FOR THE RACE FOR THE CURE A 5K WALK TO SUPPORT BREAST CANCER RESEARCH.

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

DR. SPIER GAVE ME A LIST OF VITAMINS TO TAKE TO SUPPLEMENT MY FOOD. MULTI-VIT., CALCIUM, B-12, AND IRON

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?

VOMITING WAS THE WORST FOR ME, EVEN THOUGH IT HAS CALMED DOWN ALOT, I STILL VOMIT AT LEAST ONCE EVERY TWO WEEKS. NAUSEA WAS RIGHT UP THERE TOO. TO THE POINT I QUESTIONED IF I WOULD EVER GET RID OF IT. WITH A LITTLE MEDICATION IT HAS PRETTY MUCH SUBSIDED.

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

My scar starts at my breastbone and ends at my bellybutton. It is very wide on the top part of it and then evens out to a normal scar. It is not what I expected but I can deal with it. It does not bother me at all.