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

I first heard about the surgery when Carney Wilson had it. I thought it was awesome but something someone like me would never be able to afford.

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

I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield Federal and they had no problem approving my surgery. Not only did they approve the surgery it really did not take long once they received the paperwork. My weight had resulted in my having other health related issues such as type II diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic heartburn and sleep apena. In my opinion the HMO probably felt it would be cheaper for me to have the surgery because of all the doctor visits and medications I was taking.

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

The first visit with my surgeon was exciting. I was worried that because of my age and other health problems he may not want to perform the operation. He quickly reassured me that none of those would be issue. However, he did request that I stop smoking. I think people should come to the surgeon with a list of questions and concerns they have. I had heard many horror stories from friends who had heard stories from people they knew. So I had questions already prepared to ask.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had decided after listening to Carney Wilson and watching the Discovery Health Channel's program on obesity, that if I was a good candidate and could pay for the surgery I was going to have it. I had tried all the standard diets such as Weight Watchers, diet pills, Jenny Craig, etc. and nothing worked. I needed something more permanent.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The surgeon helped me make that decision. I felt laparoscopic was the least invasive.

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 have no fears about dying from the surgery and this is the best decision I have made. I no longer have to take all the medications for diabetes, heartburn, etc. It is a good feeling. I am not a person who accentuates the negative but rather I focus on the positive. I believe we all have to dye from something so why not be happy.

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?

I only told my immediate family and very few friends. My family felt it was the right thing for me to do and were very positive. Some of my friends began to relate the horror stories which I just shook off like water on a duck's back because I had made up my mind what I was going to do

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

I was really not specific at work about what type of surgery I was having. I merely told them I would need to be out of work because I was having an operation and that I would like to return after the recovery. My Manager, is a sweetheart and she did everything she could to help me receive disability payments while I was out of work. It took a while before the approval came but I did receive the disability. I happen to work for a pretty good company.

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

I was only in the hospital a minute. I went on December 23, 2003 at 7:30 A.M. and I returned home December 25, 2003 at 2:00 P.M. The staff at the hospital were really great. They were very supportive and understanding. They got me out of bed the very next day and started me to walking. Any questions or concerns, I had they were quick to respond to. I think the most important thing to bring to the hospital are toiletries.

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

I did not have any complications 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?

Since I got my insurance approval in the beginning of December or late November and had the surgery on December 23, 2003 I really did not have a lot of time to feel anything. I can say I was very anxious to have it so I could begin my journey. I also wanted it to be over.

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

The first few weeks of being home for me was trying. The hardest part was reintroducing food back into the diet. There were many times I would try to eat a particular food and bring it back up or I would overeat and bring it back up. Looking back on it now it was really not that bad. I learned that if at first you can't keep it down try try again. I also learned to listen to when my stomach told me it was full. I had never had to worry about that before I could eat all night and still keep going. Don't expect to ever be able to eat like you ate before.

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

My surgery was performed ten minutes from where I live (if that far) so it did not affect my after care 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.

The first thing I could not eat was rice. Eventhough rice was one of the suggested foods I just could not tolerate it for about month and half after the surgery. Another food I could not eat was turkey and now after three months I still will not try turkey. Soft cooked noodles was the best for me and hard boiled eggs. When I first started reintroducing foods yogurt, hard boiled eggs (diced fine), mashed potatoes and applesauce were my favorite things. Now, after three months I can basically eat anything but every now and again I am still surprised when I can not tolerate a food.

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

I have to be honest my activity level has been low. I will try to walk but it is no where near where it should be.

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

I take a multi-vitamin for women 50+.

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 biggest side effect I had and to some extent am still having is the dumping. I am trying to really watch what I eat that causes the dumping. I cope by praying a lot.

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

I believe the worst part about my surgery was introducing the solid foods again because of the vomiting, nausia and dumping. The vomiting and nausia have more or less passed but I am still dumping.

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

I have not joined an aftercare support group/program yet which is why I am so happy to have found this site.

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

I do not have a scar. I have several discoloration spots on my stomach, which if I didn't tell you, you would never know they are from surgery.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Men who I work with who had very little to say to me now find conversation for me. I have not noticed any real change in how people treat me but I still have a long road ahead with the weight loss.