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

I first found out about it about 12 years ago via a tv commercial for a place called Bariatric treatment centers. My inital impression was that this was a cowards way out of taking charge of their life.

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

My isurance approval was no problem, I followed each rule and when I decided to go for the consult and take this seriously I decided I wanted the surgery about 1 year out. So I was not held up because I did not want the surgery right away. I wanted to be smoke free for at least a year before the surgery and had a couple other issues I wanted to get in order. It took about 7 months for all approvals to go through for the surgery. My advise is if you want to have the surgery don't expect this to be a impulse decision as you may need to be patient as approval for some can take a while. If you are required to diet for 6 months don't be discouraged as this is your oportunity to give yourself one more try before you take the drastic measure to have a serious surgery that is a tool not a majic pill.

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

I did not realise that my group consult was the beginning of the relationship with my surgeon. I also felt a big rushed through the process. I think people need to be made aware that the seminar they go to is the inital consultation for surgery. I never met my surgeon again until I was in pre-op, which was uncomfortable for me as I spoke to him for about 3 minutes one on one at the intial group consult. Be prepared and do some research on your surgeon. I did not like this process and almost decided against the facility I went to because of it. My research on the surgeon actually made my decision to go forward with the surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Research

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

History of procedures

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 did not feel this procedure was any more dangerous then having any other surgery. Also, my BMI was 49 and it was causing dangerous health concerns that needed to be reversed if I was going to continue to have quality of life.

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 Mother, husband and 2 grown children. They were supportive. I have a large extented family (5 brothers and sisters) I did not tell them as I did not want their opinnions and did not feel it was necessary to worry them before hand. I told them when I was out of surgery. It ended up being a good decision as they have not been supportive and have had negative opinnions.

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 I was having abdominal surgery. I will be off of work 6 weeks