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

I first heard about the surgery on a talk show, where someone was telling their horror story about how it went wrong. About a year later, the subject resurfaced, and this time it was an accurate portrayal of what this surgery is all about. I realized that obesity is a disease, not just a lack of willpower, and so I decided the surgery was for me.

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

My insurance experience was an unusually good one. I was approved in 4 days. I have United Heathcare.

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

My first meeting with the surgeon was a bit frightening, but it went well. The best

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I decided to have the surgery when I realized that my health was suffering, and that serious problems were just around the corner.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided to have the roux en y, because I am so severely overweight that I need the most dramatic operation for the surgery to be effective. I want to make a permanent life change, and this seamed to be the best option for me.

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 am a wimp when it comes to surgery. This will be my first surgery ever, so of course I am afraid of the pain and the possibility of complications. I am overcoming these fears by realizing the advantage of losing the weight in my life. I will die early anyway from the weight, so at least this way, I will have made a valid attempt to correct my problem.

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?

At first, my family thought I was crazy, and they were scared that I was about to make the biggest mistake ever. The few non-related people that I told were supportive when we talked, but I could tell that they thought I was crazy too. A lot of people tend to think of this surgery as if it were plastic surgery, purely for cosmetic reasons. Others asked why I just didn't diet and exercise more. The only way to get past all of this is to educate people about the disease we call obesity, and help them understand that an addiction to food can kill. After my surgery, everyone seemed to be really supportive. I am lucky to be surrounded by supportive family and friends who encourage me and cheer for me when I need it!

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

I didn't say a word to my employer! I just waited for Christmas vacation, and took 3 weeks to go on a "vacation". I hated lying, but I also didn't feel comfortable telling my boss that I was having it done. To me, having the surgery was in a way shameful, because I felt like I should never have let myself go so much. Now, I realize that the surgery is something to be proud of, and is in no way, shape, or form the "easy way out". I have (and will always have) a disease called obesity, and I have now done something totally pro-active to make myself a better person.

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

I never want to go to the hospital again! I was taken care of, but there is absolutely nothing fun about tubes coming out of you, giving blood samples every 6 hours, and the incredible pain you feel after the surgery. Here's a hospital hint: don't bring anything with you! You won't need a thing except an outfit to go home in ( and you can wear what you wore when you got there, if you plan it right!) You probably won't feel like reading or putting any makeup on.

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

I was lucky, and didn't have a single complication from the surgery.

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 a wreck. I was sure that I was going to die on the table. I ate more than I ever did before. However, being in a position like this makes you re-evaluate your life, and that can be a very positive thing. I spent a lot of time with family and friends, and also a lot of time alone.

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

The first couple of days are hard. You are still trying to get up out of a chair by yourself and you have 0 energy. After about 2 weeks, you are back up to speed, and that's when I started to really miss food. I hated the liquid diet! I cried when I saw other people eat! I was very angry at times that I couldn't eat McDonalds or pizza. You never realize how many fast food commercials there are on tv until you can only eat liquids! My support group helped me through this so much!

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

I live in Houston, and that's where I had the surgery.

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.

Right after my surgery, I was on the liquid diet for 3 weeks. THe only problem was that most liquids (like Slimfast and Boost) made me REALLY sick. After that, I started soft solids for 3 weeks, and then finally moved up to real food again. There aren't a lot of foods I haven't been able to handle. I did get sick every once in a while at first (things just don't go down right sometimes), but I haven't thrown up in over 3 months. Yippee! I don't drink cokes, and I don't eat anything with much sugar in it at all. I have found that cheese is the one thing that always goes down right, and is satisfying to me.

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

In the hospital, they make you walk around. I cried! This is a necessary evil, though. After I got home, I tried to walk for an hour a day (spread out into tiny walking intervals). After I got some energy back (2 weeks or so) I felt really good. I have times where my energy levels crash, but it's something you learn to deal with. Sometimes you just need to eat a little bit of something to get you going. I also take B12 tabs and they do seem to help some.

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

I take Sunkist complete chewable vitamins (2 a day) and I also take B12 tabs from GNC. That's it!

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 think at first the worst side effect of the surgery was the sleeping situation. I have always slept on my stomach, and right after surgery, you can't do that. I slept in a recliner until I could go back to the stomach sleeping! Also, I am still experiencing hair loss. It has been 5 months since my surgery, and I am told this is normal. However, it does make you worry! I plan to just wait it out.

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

Three little words: the liquid diet! Oh yeah, the pain is bad at first too! I never want to visit the ICU again!

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

I was lucky enough to have the NeWeigh group in Houston as a support system. I haven't gone in a while (my schedule is crazy) but in those first few weeks after my surgery they were a god-send! I would have had a break down if it wasn't for hearing other people talk about what was going on with them! It's a relief to hear that everyone is having the same problems and/or successes!

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

Well, the scar is not nearly as bad as I expected it to be. I had invisioned this frankenstein looking thing, but instead it is just a line down my belly. I put vitamin E on it every day in the hopes that one day I will wake up and not notice it! It's a battle scar that I'm proud of!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Men definately treat me differently now. I can't say that it a totaly good or bad thing, only that it makes me angry how much society really does emphasize outer appearance. I am still not "small" by any means, but I look a lot healthier, and I think that has a lot to do with it. Also, I feel a lot better about myself these days, and nothing draws attention from men like a confident woman!!!:)