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

Last April, one of the psychotherapists at Duke University Diet & Fitness Center suggested that I consider surgery and I was very angered by that suggestion. I felt as if I was a "lost cause" and that they were abandoning me. Over the next few months, the edema in my lower legs increased and lower back pain kept me from being able to walk more than a block or so without serious discomfort. Finally, I bit the bullet and decided to call the three references that the psychotherapist had given me (guys who had already had surgery). They all were very positive about their procedures and said it was life changing. Then, I got online and found out alot more. Initially, I felt that it was way too extreme and wrestled with "changing God's design" of my body. As I discovered this site and some others and read of people's individual stories, it became more possible for me to accept that this might work for me as well.

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

I provided Dr. Herron's office with as much paperwork as I could find including sleep apnea testing results that I had done a couple of years earlier, numerous pages of clinical evaluations from Duke University's Diet & Fitness Center where I went frequently during the previous few years, and stress test results and blood work results over the prior several years. My advice: bury 'em with as much paper as possible and document to the best of your ability all of your prior attempts at weight loss.

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

First meeting was great. Dr. Herron even drew me a sketch of what he would do during the operation which I regret not having saved. I suggest you go armed with a written list of questions. One that I forgot but later wondered about was how many of these procedures has the surgeon done before me. I would also ask the doctor to explain in detail what will be required as far as vitamin supplementation and testing as well as nutritional changes post-op (Will I be lactose intolerant, etc.?) Trust your instincts! Ask everything you can think of and then ask some more. That is part of his job!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Hard to say, but this website and others like it were instrumental in changing my mind.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I was prepared for RNY but had heard about a more complicated procedure which helped avoid the weight regain which happens to so many having other procedures. I know that I am a tough not to crack and need all the help I can get. Plus, I was (am) terrified of losing alot of weight and then possibly regaining it. the BPD/DS provides the most protection from this eventuality of any procedure out there (as far as I know). Heidi's website was extremely helpful for me www.mywls.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?

Of course I had these fears but, truthfully, I was so certain that my life would be over soon if I did not do something drastic that I didn't dwell on this aspect of my surgery. One thing that I was terribly concerned about was not being able to get off the ventilator after surgery. I have seen friends on these breathing machines for weeks at a time and that really scared me. I would urge others to speak to their surgeons and ask for a consult with the anesthesiologist in advance of the surgery to express your concerns and get their feedback.

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 has been 100% supportive as have my friends. I don't think that my family understood fully how restricted my life had become in the last few years but when I explained, they supported me completely and have all volunteered to come to New York when I have the surgery and after.

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 extraordinarily supportive. There was never pressure of any kind to return except when I was fully ready to. I told them the complete truth in terms of the surgery that I had chosen in conjunction with my PCP and cardiologist. I was out of work approximately six weeks.