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

My mother had surgery when she was younger, she had the gastric banding. So I knew about surgery my whole life but I didn't know they had different ways of doing it until I saw Carnie Wilson get it done. That was when I decided I was getting the surgery. My initial impression was good, I loved it and would have went and gotten it done that day if it was possible.

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

My experience was fine, I got approved after the first time. I lucked out if you ask me because from what I here not everyone has such a smooth ride.

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

My first visit was good, and cnfusing. I didn't know a lot when I went to the first visit, but I did have a list of questions and pictures of myself throughout my life to show him. He was very nice and explanied the procedure very well.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When I found out how much I weighed after two years. I weighed over 400lbs and I couldn't even take care of my kids.

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 was very scared. I even wrote out my will and my last goodbyes. I can't even begin to tell you how scared I was. My advice to everyone would be to research the surgery and the surgeon as much as possible. Please don't just take the first surgeon you can find that will do it the quickest, make sure you research.

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 family was very supportive. The only one who wasnt' until the day I went into the hospital was my husband ( for his own selfish reasons), other then that everyone supported me 100%. After the surgery my family was so good, my parents let me stay at there house for a few days until I could get on my feet and do things by myself. If it weren't for them I would have had a very hard recovery.

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

My stay at the hospital was fine. I had a private room so it made it even better. I had the surgery on a Monday afternoon and I came home that Thursday. All of the nurses and doctors in the hospital were very great they treated me very well and were always there when I needed them. Honestly the only thing I say to bring with you is a comfortable nigt gown. I came on the computer and asked everyone for advice as to what to bring with me and they gave me a list of things. I packed my suit case full of puzzle books, reading books, all types of things and the only things I used out of my suit case was my night gown and my slippers.

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

No, Thank god I didn't have any 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 very anxious and scared but I came on this website all the time and talked to people to calm myself down and it worked everytime.

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

Well I've only been home for two weeks but its been testing. The first week it was hard to do anything but everyday it gets better. Now I feel great.

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

I live in Sag Harbor, NY and my surgery was in Manhattan, NY. Its about a 2 1/2 - 3 hour ride.

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.

Well I am now almost a year post-op and my eating has been very weird. I couldn't eat any type of carbs what so ever for a long time. Now the best thing that goes down is spaghetti. Meats are my hardest thing right now, I have to remember to take very small bites and chew it up really good before trying to swallow it, I also have to have my meat wet, like in gravy or sauce or something to help it go down.

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?

The side effect that I hated most was vomiting, I still do it now and i am a year and a half post op. Its not an all the time thing but its at least two to three times a week. I hate it most when i try to go out to dinner and I have to vomit, its very embarassing, but its really not that bad.

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

Honestly, i would have to say the head hunger the first couple months after the surgery. Its a lot to get use to and the head hunger really plays with your mind and emotions.

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

Nothing

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

My scar is really nothing. Its about four inches long and now its almost the same color as my skin. Actually it doesn't even look that big anymore from where i've lost the weight.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES!!!! My husband deffinetly, we had a little mishap over the summer where I cheated on him and he is determined that it was from losing all the weight. It probably was, i can't lie but who knows. Everyone i see and everywhere i go everyone is different towards me, they talk to me a lot more now and they are always commenting on how good I look.