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

I had been looking into bariatric surgery since Carnie Wilson went public with her surgery. I did a lot of research and got turned down by my insurance provider. But I didn't give up and after 4 years it finally happened.

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

The first time I tried to get surgery I was denied. It was a fairly unheard of procedure at the time and the insurance company wouldn't budge. I tried again when I got a new job with new insurance and the clinic I went through handled everything. It was great and a painless process getting approved. I think it's a lot easier now than it was 4 or 5 years ago.

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

My first visit went great. I did a lot of research to find who I thought was the best most experienced surgeon in my area. He was very friendly and answered all of my questions. I was pretty well informed on the procedure when I went in seeing as I had been researching it for close to 4 years. When I left our first visit I had absolutely no reservations and was fully confident that everything would go great.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had been overweight for more than half of my life. I was young and felt I had already missed out on so much because of my weight I wasn't going to let it hold me back any longer. I took the leap and I did it and I'm glad I did cause I'm happier now than I've ever been in my entire life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I was the laparoscopic rny procedure because of the smaller scaring and it was less invasive and had a faster recovery time.

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 wasn't scared until the day before. I had never broken a bone or let alone had surgery of any kind. It was scary. There's nothing that can be said to calm someone fear. If you went in not being just a little scared I would be concerned. It's healthy to have a certain amount of fear when undergoing a major procedure. All I can recommend is be calm, have your family or friends with you, and trust your doctor.

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 all very supportive. I had a few friends that didn't want me to have it or didn't think I needed to have it. I was 420lbs, I needed to have it. I had a great support system going in to the operation.

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

My employer was very supportive and they were happy for me and excited to see the changes I would be going through. I told them I'm having gastric bypass surgery and I'm going to be out for a little while. The overall response was good luck, we're excited for you, and can't wait till you come back. I had some complications and was out of work much longer than expected. I was out for a little over 3 months.

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

My first stay in the hospital was fine. I was there for 2 days post op. I would recommend bringing a robe and slippers with tread at the bottom. Bring lotion cause your skin gets dry and hospital lotion is yucky.

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

I had complications and was hospitalized 6 different times over the course of 3 months. Within 10 days of the initial procedure i was back in the emergency room with bleeding ulcers and was treated and released with ulcer medication after a week in the hospital. My ulcers scarred and closed up the openning from my esophogus to my stomach. I was unable to eat or drink anything without vomiting. I was back in the hospital 3-4 wks later from dehydration and malnutrition. They discovered that the surgery was not completed and my new small pouch was still connected to my larger stomach and my little pouch couldn't handle the acid from the large stomach thats how i developed the ulcers. They let me go home and I was back a week later to have and open rny (another surgery) to fix it. I was released after a week. I was back in the hospital a few days later with complications from anemia and low potassium and nutrient levels. I was only in the hospital 2 days this time. Then I got home and my incision got infected and I had to turn around and go back. The incision was reopenned and took 6 weeks to close on its own. It was the most difficult thing I had ever gone through. It was hard because I lived 1500 miles away from my family and they couldn't afford to fly up and take care of me. It really taught me about how strong an individual I am. I went through this alone for the most part and took care of myself alone and a lot of times it was hard, but not once did I ever wish I hadn't done it. I never had any regrets. It was the most difficult and painful 3 1/2 months of my life and I would do it over again in a heartbeat even if I had all the same complications because 3 1/2 months of pain is worth how happy I feel right now and how much greater and happier my life is going to be because I had 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 excited. I couldn't contain my excitement. When I got the letter in the mail I cried. This is what I had been wanting for 4 years. I didn't have anxiety with the exception of the nerves that appeared out of no where the day before my surgery. I had a huge countdown on my calendar at work and ask any of my 200 coworkers how many day's till Leslie's surgery and I'm sure at least 100 of them could tell you.

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

My first few weeks home from the hospital was not typical because I wasn't home long enough and my recovery is not like most peoples. I wasn't able to make the traditional progress on my food and liquid consumption either because of all my complications. But when I finally was released from the hospital for the sixth and last time, things weren't too difficult.

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

I didn't have to travel far at all. I literally lived 5 minutes from the hospital.

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't answer this because again I had complications and that's one thing I don't like to think about. I was throwing up everything I that went in my mouth for a month....literally everything even water. When I think about it I can still taste it and it's not pleasant so I will pass. But now I can eat anything I want. Don't be dispelled by the whole myth that you cant eat ice cream or soda. Then again everyone's body reacts differently. I couldn't eat chicken until about 3 months ago without getting sick. It's still trial and error. I just recommend not mixing your foods. That way if you get sick you know what made you sick. It takes time, but eventually you should be able to eat anything you want...just in much smaller amounts.

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

Again because of the complications I was bed ridden for close to 4 months. I walked and moved around when I could to prevent clotting and to keep the circulation of blood flowing but it was very difficult for a while.

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

I of course did the protein powder. I still do. I also have to take iron supplements because I developed anemia due to my bleeding ulcers. Other than that I don't do any other supplements but I am very conscious of the nutrient content of the foods I eat. If it doesn't have a benefit, I don't eat it. With a few exceptions on holidays and special occassions.

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 still experience nausea and vomiting. I've become quite a pro at the whole vomit thing. I experience really bad hair loss when I wasn't able to eat or drink for a month and it's slowly growing back. I'd have to say that's what I hate the most. Out of all my complications and side effects losing my hair was the worst.

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

The worst part was of course all the complications I had and losing my hair. I did my research but I should have questioned everything instead of trusting my doctor just because he had a 0% mortality rate and had performed over 400 procedures. Follow your instincts if it doesn't feel right say something. If your hospital room mate had the same procedure you did and they have drainage tubes and you don't ask. I wish I would have, it might have saved me 6 wks of being in bed with and large open wound.

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

I didn't have a support group and I tried to get into one but the moderator was concerned that because of all my complications I may discourage people from getting the procedure. That frankly upset me because people should know the potential problems they could face. It makes you realize if you're ready for it.

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

My scar has gotten a lot less noticeable. I have laparoscopic scars and and open incision scar. The lap scars are actually darker and more noticeable in color. It open scar is narrow at the top and wider towards the bottom because the incision had to be reopenned and had to close on it's own. However there is a miracle cream out there called MEDERMA that works great on scars. It's pricey but worth it. My scars are slowly fading away. But I'm having plastics in 3 months and I'll have a whole new set of scars!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I've had a couple of plateau experiences and I'm coming off of one right now. After about 150lb weight loss my body just got stuck for close to 5 months. It was very discouraging and about 2 months ago I started losing again. I've lost about 45 lbs since then. It's a great feeling but I'm getting close to the 200lb weight loss mark and I'm scared I'll hit another plateau and I don't want that to happen cause I've scheduled my plastic surgery and I need to drop at least another 45 lbs before I have it.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Most definitely. I get noticed by boys who a year ago I would have been intimidated by and would think they were too attractive for me. I think it also has a lot to do with my self confidence. I like myself more and I think I'm attractive and I think other people can see that.