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

My sister-in-law approached me. She heard that they are now doing it laparoscopy. She laid all of my fears to rest. I also just heard about Carnie Wilson.

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

My surgeon had me go for a psychological evaluation, upper GI and ultrasound of the gallbladder (to rule out gallstones). He submitted all my test results to my insurance company and I was approve within 2 weeks.

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

My first visit went well. I immediately liked the doctor. I had a long list of questions which the doctor answered with me. I recommend to anyone interested in this surgery that they do as much research on the internet before their consultation. Get your list of questions ready for the surgeon.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I am sick of being overweight, and now, while my only health problem is high blood pressure, I know that other medical problems will start to creep up. I knew if I didn't have this surgery, that diabetes would probably be my next health problem.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I knew I wanted LAP. I did not want an open procedure. I chose the RNY because #1 it's supposedly the most effective and #2 it's the most common.

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?

My biggest fears were nausea, vomitting and dying. Well obviously, I did not die. I have not vomitted once. I have had a lot of nausea, probably due to eating too fast, eating too much and not chewing well enough.

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 and friends were very nervous pre-op, but supportive. After surgery, everyone was totally supportive of me.

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 the truth. She was supportive. I stayed out of work 5 weeks.

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

It was very peaceful, believe it or not. The morning after surgery, I had a swallow study done. There is where you drink some barium and they x-ray your insides to make sure you don't have any leaks. The nurses were very nice. I had the surgery done on a Monday and went home on Thursday. Bring a toothbrush and toothpaste with you. You will need it. I also brought some magazines.

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

No 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 felt very excited. In order to deal with anxiety, I ATE.

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

This has proven to be the hardest part for me. The first 2 weeks are the worst because you are on liquids only and are always starving. My third and fourth weeks, I started to eat solids. I quite often eat too much, eat too fast, and don't chew well enough which has caused me A LOT of nausea. However, no vomitting to date.

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

Hospital about 20 miles from my home. 40 minute car 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.

I can pretty much eat anything, as long as I take it slow. If i have a little bit of icecream, i'm fine. If i have a lot of icecream, i dump. I can eat candy and cookies, as long as I only have a very little bit at a time.

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

The first 3 weeks I felt VERY weak, dizzy and tired. Going up the stairs took every breath out of me. I had a very low energy level. By 4 weeks post op, I was back to normal. Once you start eating solids, your energy level slowly returns.

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

Womens One A Day multivitamin. 2 Iron Tablets. 1 Pottasium Tablet. B-12 once a week. Calcium.

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?

Since I started on solids 2 weeks ago, I have had a lot of nausea, probably which is my own fault for eating too much, eating too fast and not chewing well enough. At 7 months post-op, I have experienced a lot of hair loss. I notice it, but my friends and co-workers don't.

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

The worst part was the upper GI which I had pre-op. The other bad part was right before surgery when the anesthesiologist intubated me (stuck a breathing tube down my throat) while I was still awake. Talk about gagging.

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

Temple just came out with a support group that meets the third Wednesday of every month. I didn't make the first meeting in December due to holiday madness, but I hope to make the January meeting.

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

I had laparascopy. I have 6 incisions which are about the size of a pencil eraser. The scars are NOTHING!!!! To look at my stomach, you would never know that I had stomach surgery.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

When I was 6 weeks post-op, i actually gained 2 pounds in one week. Dr. Meilahn assured me that this was nothing to worry about. He was the right. The following week, i lost a total of 5 pounds.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, men are more attentive and flirtatious with me now.