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

I became seriously interested in bariatric surgery in 1993. A girl who worked at my car insurance office lost over 100 pounds with WLS and then a year or so later a girl I went to high school with lost over 100 pounds the same way. I was not a candidate at that time. I was over 200 pounds - I was BIG but not big "enough".

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

I had no problems. Blue Cross was excellent. I was approved in only a few short days. They paid all of the bills very promptly after surgery. They were wonderful to work with.

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

The surgeon was wonderful, but everyone that attended the group meeting (except me and one gentleman) was very uneducated about the surgery. I suggest that you do not step into this lightly. Research, research, research BEFORE you ever go to your first consultation. How else will you be able to ask an educated question?

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I decided to have the surgery as soon as I found out that insurance would pay for it. I had been wanting this for years but I never knew that insurance would pay for it. I called about it about 5 years ago (in 1999) and was told that most insurance companies would NOT pay. There was no way I could have paid over $30,000 on my own. So I never pursued it. Come to find out my insurance company would have paid for it back then and I would not have wasted the last 5 years living the life of a FAT person!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I talked to lots and lots of people in person and through www.obesityhelp.com

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 no fears at all. I was more afraid of NOT having the surgery. The only thing I was nervous about at all was getting the IV started because I have thin, rolling veins. After that, everything else was a piece of cake!

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 husband supports me no matter what. It did not matter to him whether I had the surgery or not. He said I was big when he met me and he did not care about me losing weight. As long as I was having the surgery for my health and not to be "cute" he was all for it. My dad thought that I should just eat less and not have the surgery. He thought that if after surgery I was only going to be about to eat about 2 ounces at a time why not just always eat 2 ounces and never have the surgery? Whatever. . . My mother was very supportive. She worked with several nurses who had WLS with the same surgeon. She also went to my surgeon visits with me.

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

n/a

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

I had a very pleasant stay at the hospital. I was there 2 nights. The morning after my surgery my surgeon said I could go home if I wanted. I asked if I could stay one more night since I had a 2 month old baby at the house. I needed the rest! I did not need anything for my hospital stay except a robe and socks or houseshoes (for all of my walking)

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

No complications at all.

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 soooo excited to get a surgery date. The way I dealt with my anxiety was through food. I ate everything I could get my hands on because I knew I was not going to be able to eat most of it ever again after surgery! I know that was not the proper way to cope, but I am trying to be honest.

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

No problems or pain at all. I slept on my stomach the very first night I was home. All I wanted to do was sleep for the first few days until the anesthesia wore off. I started protein drinks the day I got home. On day 7 I started my vitamin ritual.

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

I traveled about 30 miles for my surgery. No problems at all.

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.

For the first few weeks I ate mostly protein drinks, v-8, peanut butter, saltines and avocados. I hate jello, popsicles and broth so I did not eat this eventhough most WLS patients do. I did not tolerate potatoes or macaroni and cheese very well. I guess they were too starchy. Taco Bell Pintos n Cheese went down easily. Later I added eggs, then ground beef and shrimp. After 6 weeks out I could eat anything as long as it did not contain sugar. Dense meats do not go down as easily as ground beef but I can still eat them.

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

I bought a pedometer and tried to walk between 3-4 miles per day. My surgeon recommends that we should be walking 4 miles per day by our 6th week out. I still try to do this most days.

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

DAILY: calcium citrate capsules with vitamin D (500 mg) 3 X daily 2 Vitalady Tender Iron daily with 500 mg vitamin C 2 MSM capsules (1000 mg each)with 500 mg vitamin C 2 X daily Total vitamin C is 1500 mg daily = chewable sweetened with Splenda Sublingual B-12 "Dry" Vit A&D Capsules "Dry" Vit E Capsules Coromega Centrum Complete Zinc Liquifiber (as needed) ProBlend 55 Protein Shake 30 grams protein each 3 X daily I think that is all. Hopefully I didn't leave anything out

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 have not had any major side effects. If I eat meat that is too dense (ribs for example) sometimes I throw up because I either did not chew well enough or I ate too fast. I have not experienced any hair loss so far.

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

Getting the IV started before surgery.

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

I go to my local WLS support group meeting once a month. I also log on to www.tylerbariatric.com and www.obesityhelp.com for my daily dose of support.

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

I have 4 teenie tiny 1/8" - 1/4" scars. Barely noticeable. I expected 1" raised, discolored scars that are very noticeable.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None at all.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. I am no longer the fattest person in the room. Maybe I am treated differently because I no longer feel out of place.